April 12, 2019

Patty writes: 

I really enjoyed both of the QAF binge club events. Are there plans to continue those events? Thank you.

AND

Denise writes:

Hi Scott

Love the new website. It looks great.  

Just wondering if the QAF Binge Club will be continuing some time in the future. Loved the episodes you already presented and was hoping there would be more to come.

Also loved seeing the photos of you with Gale, Peter, Michelle, and Robert at the Adoptable screening in November. So great that you guys keep in touch and support each other.

Look forward to hearing from you soon. All the best for the coming year.

Best regards
Denise
(Australian fan)

Hi, Patty! I had a great time putting together and doing the episodes of Binge Club that we did. I am so thankful to the good folks at REEL RAW EVENTS for inviting me along to do them. We did our best to make it a fun and easy experience and one in which all the fans attending would have no idea how much work went into putting each event together … but I’ll be honest with you, it took a LOT of work and time. Unfortunately, from what I understand, the number of fans willing to purchase tickets to the event to offset the costs of producing them just weren’t there and without ticket sales or a sponsor to help them at least break even I just think REEL RAW couldn’t continue to support putting them out there. So, if you’re interested in seeing more QAF Binge Club episodes I think you’ll need to rally the troops together to help prove to REEL RAW that it’s worth their time to present them.

Klára writes:

Hi, Scott.

This isn't a question, maybe it's a message? I don't know exactly. I'd like you to read this https://writinggirll.blogspot.com/2019/01/queer-as-folk-is-me-life.html and show it other QAF actors. Thank you for the answer. 
Klára from Czech Republic.

Just read your blog, Klára. Thank you so much for sharing your story. It still amazes me how much QAF has brought people together all over the world and helped them find the personal acceptance and sense of community that we all felt making it! Keep being true to yourself!

Jessica writes:

My question (actually 2 questions) we all know the cast members of QAF and yourself have a great personality and sense of humor. What I would like to know as well as some others I am sure is who was the biggest prankster out of all of you and is there one in particular prank that stands out? Also, thank you for always being so very kind and always communicating with us fans, very much appreciated.

Hey, Jessica!  

Well, you kind of answered the question in your compliment. Everyone (including a lot of our crew) had such great senses of humor that it’s really hard to pick out just one as the biggest prankster or even an individual prank. My stronger memories were of just getting the “church” giggles from some off-handed remark or someone screwing up their lines in a hilarious way and just NOT being able to stop laughing and needing makeup touched up because we would all be crying trying to hold in the laughter. Here are some links:

Season One Bloopers

Season Two Bloopers

Season Three Bloopers

Season Four Bloopers, pt. 1 Season Four Bloopers, pt. 2

Season Five Bloopers

Donna writes:

Being on Netflix I am sure the ratings were great. I know myself and the group I am with all watched it over and over again. We all got the box set now. We are all hoping they make a reboot of QAF U. S. version and have org cast if possible so we can see what happened to everyone. How do you think the group would feel about that?

We would all LOVE to get together and keep telling stories about the gang from Liberty Ave.!

Rulsa writes:

Hi Scott,
My name is Rulsa I’m trying to help my daughter make the right decision. Currently she’s in her last semester in Cardozo Law School after doing many internships In Law she found law very boring. She did study acting as a child for many years at Lee Strasberg Institute and she wants to pursue acting instead. The question that I have is she’s a young girl early 20’s she got an offer for a small part in a student film to play a lesbian she’s not sure about it the question for you, Was your personal life affected in any way of playing a gay guy? She’s asking me for advise I don’t have the answer can you please help.

Hi, Rulsa!  

Sounds like your daughter is following the path that Robert Gant took as he was once a lawyer as well before becoming an actor. Listen, when we started QAF in 2000 it was still quite tabu to play a gay character and we all took a risk in playing the groundbreaking characters we did. Yes, I did face some stereotyping when I came off the series but that could happen just as easily if I played a gangster. The same held in real life for a bit, but if the worst thing that happened to me is that I occasionally had to turn down a flattering request for a date from a gentleman or two I don’t think that cost was high at all. I think there is much more acceptance of gay characters and the actors portraying them now and your daughter will be fine.

Judy writes:

Hello Scott Lowell,
I have recently purchased 5 seasons of Queer as Folks(2000-2005) and I loved the show. You and all the actors were great!
What was it like working with the actors on or off stage especially Gale Howard and Randy Harrison?
Are you close friends with them and keep in touch?
I lookup Wikipedia to see their current acting role. I see you in 2019 in a TV Show "I'm Sorry" but I don't see Gale or Randy for 2019. Is it possible they are working but not listed for 2019? This is the only website I know of to see their latest acting role.>
Thank you for your time to answer my questions and Good Luck!
Judy

Hello, Judy … Judy!  

We all had a great time working together and have indeed remained quite close. Randy and Gale are VERY talented and hard working actors and a whole lot of fun to get to play with. I don’t keep up with ALL they are doing professionally but I know Randy has mostly been performing in AMAZING theatre productions all over the USA and Gale has been developing projects and just shot a guest appearance on Criminal Minds.

February 1, 2019

Got a question for Scott? Head over to the CONTACT page to send it to him!

Annie writes: 

Hi, Scott:

I know you’ve mentioned it a little but could you let us know your thoughts about the QAF UK reboot we’ve heard about and what that means as far as a US revival? Also, do you know why Netflix is removing QAF from their service?

Hope you will answer me!

Thanks!

Hey, Annie. Your hope has been fulfilled! I learned about the Reboot the way you all did, via postings online. It felt a bit odd, to be honest, to learn that someone else would be taking the reins of a project that is so personal for all of us that had been involved with it but once I sew that Russell T. Davies was connected with it, I at least knew it would be in good hands. QAF is Russell’s baby and if he feels safe entrusting it to another’s care then I do as well.

From what I understand, at some point the rights for QAF reverted back to the owners/producers of the original British version of the series and a Canadian filmmaker (not at all connected with the US version) was somehow able to purchase the rights from them or a rights broker. This is why the reboot will be technically a reboot of the original British version of the show. From what I understand (and I could be wrong about this) Showtime still owns the rights to the US characters that were created for the US version of QAF but not the QAF property as a whole. So, to my logic (and again, I could be wrong about this) theoretically it might be possible for there to be some sort or project about the US QAF characters but it would not be able to call itself QAF in any way. Now, I’ve only played some lawyers on film and TV so don’t hold me to any of that as it’s all based on hearsay (I think I had some dialogue about that once!) but based on what I’ve been told that’s how I see it.

As far as Netflix goes, not sure what led to the purging of QAF from its US stream. They do this periodically with shows and films. Sometimes it’s based on numbers, sometimes it’s the studio/network who owns the properties wanting more money from them to stream it or want to regain control over a title for their own streaming services. Who knows? All I DO know is that they also purged, The Big Lebowski, Shaun of The Dead, Children of Men and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. So we’re in pretty good company!

September 2, 2018

Vanessa writes (again): 

Hey Scott!!

I really would like to tell you the details of my story as to why I never tried to pursue my dream of acting. It's a little heartbreaking but it will definitely put things into perspective and may actually change your response to my previous inquiry. I could tell you my story on here if you like or I could try Facebook. I will leave that up to you. I didn't realize leaving it out would make such a difference in your answer until recently. You have no idea how much your interest and responses mean to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. You are the best!!!!

Hey, Vanessa. Spill the beans!

Lowell Scott writes:

Watching QAF now, and yes my name is Lowell Scott.  I started my life out as Scott Lowell until I could understand the difference between Lowell Scott and my grandpa’s name Lowell.  I do not know anything else you have been in. Just wanted to tell you are doing a great job, love your character and continue to doing a great job.  You are very handsome as well!

I am so confused! Did I get drunk and email myself a question? I’ll take the “great job” and handsome thing regardless!

Tom writes:

Scott,

Are you gay or straight? You play being gay so well, (of course that’s what an actor is supposed to do) but one would think you’re gay. But according to your bio, you have a wife. More's the pity for the gay community  if you are Straight! In any event...best of luck to you!

Hey, Tom!  

I HAVE A WIFE‽ ‽ I better get a bigger bed!

Oh, and my sympathies to the gay community.

March 21, 2018

Vanessa writes: 

Hey Scott! I'm so excited to be writing to you. My question has a long story behind it. I don't want to bore you with it so I hope you can answer it without the details of my story. 

My question is: My dream since I was 9 was to be an actress. I never tried and I sit everyday wondering  "what if?" Part of me still wants to go for it but I fear it's too late. (I'm 37) What honest advice would you give to me if I still wanted to try and make my dream come true? 

Any advice you have would mean the world to me. Maybe I will be able to make my acting dream and the dream of meeting you and Peter Paige come true. 

Thank you so much!!! ❤❤❤❤

Hey, Vanessa. I appreciate your sense of privacy … but MAN, now I kinda want to know what the story is! ;o)

To answer your question specifically would require a little more info so I’ll answer it for a couple different scenarios. If by "being an actress" you mean getting the opportunity to act then I would say that most cities or towns in the states (if that’s where you are) have local theatres that you could surely get involved with as well as arts centers that migh thave classes you could take as well in order to satisfy your creative itch as well as do some really good work. It all depends on the area you live (be it big, urban city or small rural town) as to what these opportunities might be.

Now, if by “being an actress” you mean as a profession … your route may still depend on where you live. If you are in an area with a thriving theatre scene (like Chicago for example) you could try to get information on when/where auditions are happening and just start trying your luck. If you feel like you need to either shake the rust off or get some basic training (if you’re more of a beginner) then look into local classes either in improv or other forms of acting but I would say DEFINITELY look into involving yourself in some theatre work to get started. From that you may have a better feel for whether or not you have the skills and talents neccessary to continue to pursue your dream.

I guess what I’m saying is: be clear WHAT your dream actually is. Like friends of mine who say “My dream is to have a kid”; they end up needing to clarify for themselves what that means. Do they just want to biologically experience childbirth and raise a child or do they want the entire family sturcture of having a partner to have and raise the kid with? The actors and actresses performing in local non-professional productions are just as much actors as anyone in my books and the only REAL difference is how it affects their bank account.

Hope that helps some.

Jose Antonio from Spain writes:

Just wanted to say hello and congrats for your role and performance in the series (QAF). I started to see it years ago when it was first broadcast on the Spanish TV but it´s just now that I´m going through the whole series. So just wanted to say that you did, together with the rest of the cast, a great job. However, I´ve grown fond of your character.

Best regards from a Spanish admirer.

Gracias, Jose! I continue to be so moved at the fact our show has had such a worldwide appeal. 

Susan writes:

Hi Scott. 

Found out about Adoptable the usual way ... by trolling Gales page lol. 

Love qaf and would be thrilled to watch this show. 

You haven't posted an update In awhile. Have you found a vehicle to show it?

Hi, Susan! I’ve been hoping we can find a quick solution for how to get rid of The Orange Creature ruining our country … maybe I should troll Gale’s page as well since it has so much info!

To be honest, it’s been a frustrating time so far finding just the right home for ADOPTABLE! and I’m sad to report that we STILL have not found one depsite actively searching and pitching for the last 18 months. But we haven’t given up yet and I remain hopeful we will. I am very protective of it and wnat to make sure that when we get it out there it will be in a way that help as many people around the world who want to see it to be able to as well as enable us to film further seasons. I just KNOW you’re all going to enjoy it when we do. SO, as I keep saying … Stay Tuned!

 Feel free to visit the ADOPTABLE! Page for Behind-The-Scenes Photos & Videos by clicking HERE!

Your enthusiasm for this passion project of mine continues to move me daily and if and when it comes time to unleash “The ScoLo Army” to prove to others how much you all want to see this show I hope you’ll be fired up and ready to go!

July 1, 2016

Tatjana writes: 

Hi Scott,

I have discovered QAF by accident in the Toronto Public library last November and, since then, I believe I saw it 5 times. I bought DVDs as a gift to myself recently, went through the whole series again and just finished two days ago. Now I am fighting with myself, trying not to start with Season1 (again).

I am wondering if someone came up with some kind of a QAF 12 steps program?  I do not remember ever being addicted to something like this. I guess it can also be a timing in one’s life, trying to escape ...

I am not saying it is a bad experience. I feel it did change me for the better in some ways. I was not familiar with the LGBT world before, so it was helpful on that front and also encouraged me to start   reading /watching other related material, learning interesting historical facts etc.

As they say, I would not trade this experience for anything, but maybe it is time to let it go...  Any suggestion to help with that would be most appreciated 

All the best with your series! And thank you for being part of QAF.

Tatjana 

Hey, Tatjana. Sadly, there is no known cure for QAFAS (QAF Addiction Syndrome) and as it is a disease that lodges itself in the heart as well as the neurological systems, 12 step programs have proven themselves to be abject failures. My only recommendation: pace yourself. Give yourself enough time to live your life fully enough that you reach a point where you start not to be able to remember whether or not “Brian” wore his shell bracelet on his right or left wrist as well as the name of “Ted’s” boss when he was still a lowly accountant … then and only then can you give yourself another “hit”.

It’s a beautful summer day out there, Tajana go outdoors and enjoy it while you can. There’ll be plenty of cold winter days ahead for you to hunker down and indulge your disease.

Sarah writes:

Hey scott! I love all the relationships in the show and I love how real it is and how likeable all of the characters are. Emmett is probably my fave though. You and him have such amazing chemistry and are so fun to watch...I could go on forever...My question is what place would you love to travel to? I love you and the Queer as folk cast for life! <3

Thanks, Sarah! I love “Emmett” too ESPECIALLY because of all the strength that my bff Peter brought to him beyond his natural humor. 

I’d still love to visit Australia, Greece, Southeast Asia, Brazil and more of Italy and Japan and Europe of course … basically there’s a WHOLE lot of this beautiful planet of ours I’d love to and HOPE to have the opportunity to explore.

Kristina writes:

Hi Scott, I don't know if you'll actually end up seeing this, but I thought I'd comment anyway. I am a 24 year old straight woman and I found myself transformed after watching qaf. I especially resonate with Ted, since you played him with such humanity, transparency, and sincerity. I could feel what ted was feeling just by the emotion conveyed by your expressions. I think we all have a little bit of ted in us.. I find myself so emotionally connected to the characters that I can't bring myself to finish the series.. Thank you :)

Well, Kristina if you don’t watch the final episodes then for you at least it will never really be over, right? So skip them and live on in happy delusion! 

Thank you for all your kind words. I’m glad “Ted” has such resonance with you. We all worked very hard to make our characters as relatable and honest as we could and it’s quite rewarding that someone who was too young to watch the show when it originally aired is still connecting with what we created.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks to ALL of you (too many to list here) who contunue to write in asking about when and where you can watch ADOPTABLE! 

We’ve had a couple of exclusive screenings of Season One here in LA and in Toronto and based on the audiences enthusiastic responses I can say unequivocally that we have accomplished what we set out to do when filming began: to create a funny and moving story that everyone who has ever asked themselves “Who am I?” can relate to. 

We have begun the process of finding the absolutely BEST distributor and platform to help ADOPTABLE! reach the widest audience (and hopefully to produce many further seasons) I promise you, your patience will be rewarded! Feel free to visit the ADOPTABLE! Page for Behind-The-Scenes Photos & Videos by clicking HERE!

Your enthusiasm for this passion project of mine continues to move me daily and if and when it comes time to unleash “The ScoLo Army” to prove to others how much you all want to see this show I hope you’ll be fired up and ready to go!

Until then, as they say: STAY TUNED!!

February 2, 2016

Joey writes: 

There is a song from Queer As Folk that is Season:1 Ep:11, at Michael’s birthday party. It is when Emmet talks to Michael’s uncle, and Mel is drunk, and it goes ""give me your magic potion, take the pain away, give me your magic potion and give me another day. I have searched for weeks and I can't find it. Any idea? 

Hey, Joey! There were SO many great songs on QAF and it is a real shame that some of them had to be changed (due to licensing deals) when the show started streaming. Not sure what “formant “ you watched it in (DVD or Streaming) and therefore what version of the soundtrack you heard. This website is a pretty good resource for all the music on QAF though. See if it helps at all: http://qafvault.com/songlist.htm#111.

Pallavi from India writes:

Namaste Scott

I loved watching QAF. It helped me gain a new perspective about many things in life. And I'm loving the concept of 'The Adoptables', I just can't wait to see it. 

I relate to Ted a lil more than others cause I'm a Chartered Accountant :p

It would be great if you come to my country on a vacation and have a great time.  See amazing places and eat deliciously food.

Thanks, Pallavi! India is definitely on my list of places I hope to visit some day. I did a play back in Chicago in the ’90’s called “A Perfect Ganesh” that takes place mostly in India and after doing a lot of research on the country it isntantly became a fantasy of mine to visit it. Glad to know Indian Accountants love Ted too!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks to ALL of you (too many to list here) who have also written in asking about when and where you can watch ADOPTABLE! 

We are in the midst of editing it RIGHT NOW and trust me, I CANNOT WAIT for you all to see it. I am SO proud of the work everyone has done and feel so blessed to have gathered such an extraordinarily talented cast and crew. Things went SO well during filming that my ambitions for ADOPTABLE! have grown beyond my original intent to simply post the episodes myself on Vimeo.

So, if you all can be a little patient while we start the process of finding the absolutely BEST distributor and platform to help ADOPTABLE! reach the widest audience (and hopefully to produce many further seasons) I promise you, your patience will be rewarded! Feel free to visit the ADOPTABLE! Page for Behind-The-Scenes Photos & Videos by clicking HERE!

Your enthusiasm for this passion project of mine continues to move me daily and if and when it comes time to unleash “The ScoLo Army” to prove to others how much you all want to see this show I hope you’ll be fired up and ready to go!

Until then, as they say: STAY TUNED!!

September 28, 2015

Inga from Germany writes: 

Hi Scott,

I don't have a question, but I wanted to tell you how wonderful lovelyadorable you are. I love to read your Q&As. That's so funny. I would love tohave this updates much more often, but I know you're busy. So Thank you verymuch for doing it. And Thank you very much for being so active and alwayskind on Twitter. THANK YOU!

I hope I'll be able to meet you again sometime at a con or see you in aplay. Wishing you all the best (including a wonderful lady and a lot of babies to make your mom happy:))

Alles Liebe,

Inga

I thank you, Inga and my mother thanks you too!

Michael writes:

Loved your performance in QAF, I'm currently halfway through season 3 and hate seeing Ted in such a low point in life! I am CONSTANTLY thinking about how great of a actor you are, especially with Ted being such a versitile character. I'm going in to television production right now, and wondered if you had any advice on how to break into the TV world!

Also, you dated my aunt in highschool! Her name is Mary, wondered if you renember her! She hopes you're doing well! Thanks a ton! Hope to hear back soon!

Well, I dated so very little in high school it would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to not remember your aunt! Please send her my best wishes. I actually think of her often.

Thank you for your kind words, Michael. Since you wrote this in May I’m hoping “Ted’s” life has improved by now in your viewing. The only advice I can give you on breaking into the TV world on the production end is just to get yourself on a set by any means necessary. Intern, be a Production Assistant, anything. The experience will be so valuable and … as they say … you gotta start somehwere. I wish you the best of luck!

Sherry writes:

Dear Scott,
       Looking forward to your new series. Hope to be able to watch it on my android phone.
       Best of luck. I'm a big fan.

Sherry Meade

Thanks, Sherry! The plan at this point is to put it up on Vimeo which should play on your Android phone. If we’re lucky enough for a larger distribution company to pick us up I’ll let you all know when that happens. Hope you like it!

Nicole write:

Hi Scott!

First off - I just wanted to say I am such a HUGE fan of yours and of QAF! :)

I wanted to share a story with you.. So recently a very good friend of mine (joe) who happened to be gay, passed away suddenly. He was only 39 years old and in very good shape. (AS you can imagine, he went to the gym everyy single day) lol However, for some terrible reason he went on to have three heart attacks. The doctors were able to revive him after the first two, but by the third one his heart just wasn't strong enough. It has been hard for people, including myself, to understand how something like this could happen to such a young, fit guy. However, what everyone didn't know was that Joe had been through a lot of horrible, horrible things throughout his life that were directly the result of his sexuality. So today I can't help but wonder if the horrible things that happened to him when he was younger, in some way indirectly caused such a young, healthy heart to have three heart attacks. I guess I will never know.But the point of my story was to tell you that even though joe did not really watch QAF, I am literally obsessed and I used to tell him about every single episode! Every day at lunch (we worked together) :) I would tell him what was happening including every single detail and it used to make him SO happy! He said he never even needed to watch the show because I told him everything already! lol I used to tell him that if you guys ever did one of those fan conventions in our area (NYC) I was totally going to drag him and he was all about it!

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you this because although I was alwayssssss obsessed with QAF, now the show has even MORE of a special meaning to me. You should be very proud of the show and what it has done for the gay community. I know Joe appreciated it and loved listening to me go on an on. He once said to me, "If every straight person in the world loved gay men as much as you love the gay men on this show - we'd be alright!" LOL :) And I also happen to agree! :)

So really I am just wondering two things.. 1) Do you think there will ever be another one of those fan conventions around the NYC area? and 2) I heard rumors of a reunion movie or series on netflix. I know you get asked this question a million times a day and you are totally sick of it, butttttt.... I was just wondering if there is any news on that actually happening anytime soon?

Thank you for listening to me go AND on. I think it is super awesome that you take the time to answer people's emails. You are the BEST. I am SO crossing my fingers for a QAF reunion of any kind! :):):):)

<3,Nicole

Nicole, I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend Joe and that he suffered so much in so few years. You’re a good friend to bring him such comfort with your QAF updates and I’m proud to have been a small part of that experience for you both. 

There are no plans for an NYC convention but there is going to be one taking place not far from you in Toronto this coming summer. You’ll get to see a lot of the locations where we shot the show and meet a lot of our wonderful Canadian cast and crew! I’m really looking forward to it! Click here for info.

No updates yet on any reunion movie or netflix series but, as far s I know, the cast and our creators are up for it if someone wants to produce it!

Johan from South Africa writes:

My name is Johan from South Africa, have to say I'm a huge fan of yours!! Now my Question is, Michael and Ben are they in real life gay? Season 5 end so sad did cry. I've learn a lot out of queer as folk, still today some people don't accept us for what we are.

Johan, while I usually like to let people answer this kind of question for themselves both Hal (who played 
"Michael”) and Robert (who played “Ben”) are very open about this question. Hal is straight and Robert is gay. Testament to them both that you didn’t know one way or the other.

Mark writes:

Dear Scott, I just want to say how much your wonderful portrayal of Ted and  all the actors on QAF changed my life. I can't tell you how much it has meant to me discovering the show just recently. I am 46 and it has given me a new lease on life when I really needed one. I loved all the characters very much but you and Ted are my absolute favorites! Thank you thank you thank you for the gift of your talent. :-)

Mark, it’s letters like this that are worth more than any paycheck for an acting job. I am so glad that our work was able to help lighten your load!

Holly from Wilmington writes:

Scott, my question is threefold: 

1).have you ever been to Wilmington NC

2). and if not, would you like too?  

3). And if so, would you go to dinner with me and my bulldog Sweety?

Hugs from me to you!

Ha! Well, full disclosure to all reading I actually already KNOW Holly and have had dinner with her (and her family) while in London this summer … but Sweety … Well … I have NOT had the pleasure of dining with Sweety! Thanks for writing here, Holly. Hope you’re well!

Ivan writes:

Hello Scott, my name is Ivan and I'm just a fan of yours that wants to tell you how much he admirers you as an actor. 

I recently watched all 5 seasons of QAF on Netflix. Never heard of those series before, but i was browsing for something like that (which it was more than I expected) since I'm gay. Your role as Ted was amazing! My dream is to become an actor and watching your performance is an example to follow, seriously!  I wish I could've watched the series back then.

All have to say is, thanks and hope to get a reply, at least a "Hi". :)

Ivan

Oh, you’ll get more than a “Hi” Ivan! You’ll get a big THANK YOU! Very kind of you to wrote in and I’m glad you liked the show.

Jen writes:

Dear Scott, 

I am a 43 year old southern female living in Los Angeles County. I am a medical massage therapist and have had the privilege of working with various celebrities and would love to work for u if u ever need of a therapeutic massage therapist.

I am a huge fan of your and your portrayal of Ted in QAF. I fell in love with ur character, gay or straight. Will u marry me? 

Lol your fan, Jen

It depends how good your massages are Jen! ;o)

April 1, 2015

Agnes from Sweden writes: 

Hi Scott, Im a big fan of yours :) <3

I think you are a very talented and a gifted actor.

I love Queer As Folk and have watched it many times. :)

My question for you is: Are you married? Have you children?

And then I also wonder, how your "dream girl" is supposed to be like.

And I also wonder,

How would you describe yourself? How you are as a person or something like that.

And I also wonder what do you want people to be in your surroundings? I know you probably accept everyone for who they are, but what do you prefer for qualities in the people you meet?

(The most important question:) And how are your aspect in movies for example, should they be dark or light? Easy or difficult and somewhat scary?  You tell me.

And what would be your dream part ever made in your career? Maybe you already had a highlight character? Ted Schmidt? or something from the theatre. 

What do you prefer? Theatres or movies?

I’m interested to know.

I would love to explain as the others do so much, about how much you mean to me, and Queer As Folk, but its hard to put down in words. 

I am a straight girl, aged 22 from Sweden. 

And I just adore you <3

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to write to you. 

And I hope you dont think I had too many questions, just answer the first one if you dont feel like answering the other ones.

Best regards, Agnes. <3

Wow! You wonder A LOT, Agnes. ;o) I’ll do my best to answer. 

I am not married and have no children. Did my mother tell you to ask me that to make me feel badly or guilt me into giving her some grandbabies soon? I’m trying, Mom! I’M TRYING!!

As far as my “dream girl” goes, she’s very changeable ... I seem to meet a new version of her every day! See, MOM? That’s part of the Problem! It’s HER NOT ME!!

I would describe myself as extraordinarily charming and handsome and rich … but only a small fraction of that is true. I love my mom though … if only she’d GET OFF MY BACK!! I’ll settle down when I’m ready and NOT BEFORE THEN!

I am very fortunate that I have WONDEFUL people who surround me ona a daily basis. They are kind, funny, down-to-earth and don’t make me feel badly that I’ve come this far in life and only have a dog and cat to come home to and think it would be okay to knit booties for THEM instead of babies that DON’T EXIST!

Ok. Enough of that. Now on to your most important question: I have no preference of what types of projects I’m attracted to as far as comedy or drama as long as the character(s) are rich and three-dimensional and the story an interesting one. I’m not a fan of “torture” films or things that would leave horrible images on my or anyone’s souls.

I would love someday to play some of the great roles that Arthur Miller wrote for older men but in the meantime I look forward to being surprised by the “dream roles” and projects that come up unexpectedly. I love Theatre and Film/TV work … heck, I just LOVE WORKING!

Thanks for your kind words, Agnes! I hope you are enjoying all the pleasures of being a 22 year-old straight Swedish girl!

Deb writes:

Dear Scott,

I'm 59, straight female, recently started watching QAF on Netflix. I already loved your portrayals on Bones, Leverage, Law & Order, etc., but I have to tell you I am so moved and in awe of your portrayals as Ted. Your acting helped me understand so much more about the gay lifestyle, but more than that it showed me what an amazing versatile actor you are - way beyond any gender classification. You are a joy to watch - in any role!

Thanks so much, Deb! That’s so very kind of you to say. I’ve been quite fortunate to be able to portray so many interesting people and I sure hope I get to keep doing it for a very long time.

River writes:

Hi Scott!I'm a big fan of yours and I loved Queer as   folk, I still find it  hard to watch the last episode as I don't want to say goodbye to the characters, I felt a bit upset that Brian and justin didn't get married just as Brian admitted what "we knew " he loved justin,  do you or any other cast members think they should have married?  Also any news of a new QAF season or movie?  River

River, honestly I support the ending that our creators Ron Cowen and Dan Lipman came up with for all the characters. I can’t say more than that without stirring up a hornet’s nest of opinions out there in the fandom. That’s the nice thing about a show like QAF where you get so invested in the characters … everyone is going to feel differenty about what they want for them as everyone has different emotions invested in the characters based on their own experiences and desires. I will say this, the show is about Boys becoming Men and “Justin” had to become his OWN man one way or another. Who knows for sure what happened after the final fade out?

Agnes from Sweden writes (Again):

Im very sorry for writing to you again but I cant help it.

I have a few other questions.

what do you think is the best in America?

Whats the worst?

And how do you feel about the gun situation?

I love America but am a bit confused about the gun part. Here its forbidden

to have a gun.

And is it very artistic people all mixed up to one in New York?

(I know this might is judgemental towards USA about the gun parts, perhaps

Im wrong, maybe the most people walks without guns.)

Though the questions I asked before, yesterday, are far more important than

these questions. I hope you will answer both, but answer the first one if

you dont feel like answering both.

Thanks for your time for reading this,

//Your devoted fan, Agnes, from Sweden. 

Do you seriously expect me to believe that there is nothing better for a 22 year-old straight girl in Sweden to do than to ask me even MORE questions?!? (I hope you know I’ve been teasing you all this time)

The Best in America is it’s generous, giving nature and freedom of speech and opinion. The worst is that we don’t always use these qualities in the best way. Our inability to fully separate religion and politics as well as deal honestly with and heal our history of discrimination also upsets me.

I have never been a fan of guns and I think our gun laws are ridiculous. It saddens me that there is an impression internationally that we all walk around with them. That’s simply not true … although it may be to a certain degree in certain areas. Unfortunately this crazy gun culture is so engrained in the fabric of our country that it is nearly impossible, even after some horrific mass shootings, to pass any kind of meaningful gun control legislature without the risk of political backlash. I do wish I lived in a land that was more sensible about guns.

Mark writes:

Dear Scott, I just want to say how much your wonderful portrayal of Ted and  all the actors on QAF changed my life. I can't tell you how much it has meant to me discovering the show just recently. I am 46 and it has given me a new lease on life when I really needed one. I loved all the characters very much but you and Ted are my absolute favorites! Thank you thank you thank you for the gift of your talent. :-)

Mark, it’s letters like this that are worth more than any paycheck for an acting job. I am so glad that our work was able to help lighten your load!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer! If you’re anywhere near London, come see me in THE ELEPHANT MAN at The Theatre Royal Haymarket! 

September 15, 2014

Mikey writes: 

It’s been 9 years and you still get QAF related questions how does that makey ou feel?

Well, Mikey it’s incredibly flattering and gratifying.  It’s such a rare gift as an actor to get involved with a project that lives on and on and touches so many people’s lives.  I mean … just look at the following messages.  People all over the world want more QAF!

Stephen from Nigeria writes:

Hi Scott 

my name is stephen. I am from Nigeria and am a huge fan of yours and I enjoyed your role as Ted Schmidt in QAF. Nigeria like most African nations is a homophobic country for political and religious reasons. Same sex marriage and relationships are seen as crimes. After watching QAF via the internet, although I am straight, I've gotten to know that being gay is not all about the sex and that rich cultural and family values are also involved and people in the LGBT community are human beings and should also have equal human rights. There are QAF fan groups on Facebook in Nigeria and other social media networks with both young and old people getting to accept their identities and be free and comfortable about it. My question is if viewers are going to see a continuation of the series and how soon will it bebecause we would like to see Ted and Emmett getting married this time. 

Diana from Germany writes:

Dear Scott,

i feel very excited knowing that there is a possibility for an reunion movie.

I hope showtime gets enough voices through the petition to consider it! 

What i'd like to know is - given the fact there WILL be a movie: do you think we (the fans) may have a chance to let the producers know what we wish to happen in the movie?

I mean, if we want certain characters to stay together or apart ... If we want them to have kids (or at least a dog ;0) lol

You think they would consider our wishes? Not all of them, of course.... but maybe what was wished the most....

A lot of fans around the world didn't like the ending of season 5 because it left open a lot of questions. It would be sad to finally see a reunion and have an open or disapppointing ending again.

Thanks so much for caring! You're doing a great job! :)

Diana from Germany.

And Yazia writes:

Hey Scott, I'm Yaiza, and although my first name is Spanish and my last nameItalian, I was born in Germany.

I would just love you to know that I think the idea of doing a reunion filmis brilliant. It would be a dream come true to see you guys back togetherone more time!As for the movie, I would love to suggest a few things. Just random ideas Ihave, you know. Maybe they can inspire some of you guys!I thought maybe Justin and Brian haven't seen each other in all those years,and then maybe Justin comes back to Pittsburgh for Daphne's wedding orsomething like that, and when he sees Brian again it gets all weird, and Ireally really want them to get back together in the end! After all, they arethe only ones who didn't get a fair ending in the show. Ted shoulddefinitely be still together with Blake! Emmett could find the love of hislife. Mel and Lindsay could come back with their now older children to seeBrian and Mike, and they would get to see Justin again too. Then I thought maybe Hunter could be having a family or something like that, and then suddenly he has to go to the hospital, and there's some drama (but he shouldn't die!). Just some random ideas. I hope I'm not annoying you with them! Oh and I also thought that seen that gay marriage is legal now, Brian and Justin could finally get married in the end (PLEASE! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT!) and also Debbie could make it come true because now her son’s marriage is accepted!

Other than that I wanted to tell you about a singer called Matt Fishel. I don't know if you care at all about this, I really really hope I'm not freaking you out or annyoing you, but everytime I listen to his songs I think of Queer as Folk. All of them are LGBT themed; he sings about love, about society, about tolerance, bullying, etc. etc. I love his music and I just thought you guys should know that he would make a perfect soundtrack!

As for a question, I would only like to know if the petition that is upright now really could be a dream come true. I know that everyone in thecast is supporting it and that you guys would love to make this happen. I would just like to know if you talked to the writers and producers and all the other people around the show about it? I guess you have, but I would really like to know if they consider it possible or if they don't really have any intention on making this true.

I love you and it would be amazing to see the family back together!

Love,Yaiza xxx

AND Irina writes:

How are you? I recently saw you on French TV, in a rerun of Bones. You were great ! It made me want to rewatch Queer As Folk, and to catch up on the cast's news. Queer as folk is maybe the only TV show who will leave me its mark on forever. I remember I first discovered QAF UK, and then someone told me about the US version. To be completly honest, I'm not a big fan of remakes. Both are good, But I have to admit here that I prefer the US version. I was15/16 years old when I first watched this show. I remember waiting at nightwith my sister and my cousin for our parents to go to sleep to be able towatch it. Now, watching this show more than ten yers later, with maturity and with all the societal evolution, was really interresting. That's why I am glad to see some talk about a qaf movie. I know it's complicated, money, script, cast and all, but I'm sure you know fans are ready to do whatever ittakes to make it done. I really can see a project like the one made for the Veronica Mars movie (crowdfunding). A lot of fans are ready to support this. I know I will support it as best as I can with my 27-years-old-and-still-student budget!

By the way, I was wondering if any of you kept something from the QAF set?  Like a memorabilia from their character or the set. Did you? I know if I could have crept into the set I would have tried to stole one of the famous Debbie's shirt. But that's the fan talking!

I saw you were in a lot of TV show. Is there one TV show today that you WOULD LOVE to be in ? Or is there a part (movies, tv show, or theater) youwould love to play ?

I saw your new project : Adoptable. Break a leg, just make sure it will beavailable in Europe !:)

I would love to meet you Scott, you seem like one of the most genuine peoplein this world. If only someone could organize a Qaf convention in Paris!Maybe when a movie will be made. I sure hope.

Hope my english wasn't so bad, All the best Scott.

Irina

WOW.  Ok.  First, to Stephen.  PLEASE run for President of Nigeria!  What an wondefully open and beautiful human being you are!  Thank you for all your kind words.  As to your question … I just don’t know right now.  We’ve let our old network, Showtime (who produced and owns the rights to QAF as far as we know) know that we’re interested and there’s been a wonderful online petition to let them know … it’s all in their hands right now.  Here’s hoping.  It would be fun to see where everyone is ten years later given EVERYTHING that has been happening in the US and around the world with LGBT rights.

Diana: That’s a very tricky question and will depend on who ends up producing and writing it.  The problem is that while you may have been disappointed in the ending many people loved it and wouldn’t change a thing.  It’s impossible for a writer/producer to please everyone so they just have to go with what feels right to them.

Yaiza:  Thanks for all your enthusiasm.  Sounds like you should get writing on some of those fan fiction sites I hear are out there!  ;o)  Thanks also for the music tip.  I will check Matt out.  I sure hope the petition helps but as I wrote Stephen above it’s all in Showtime’s hands right now.

Irina:  I did take a few items from Ted’s Condo.  That Egyptiany statue on his bar and the kitchen clock.  Also a few of his jackets.  I would love to be on ORPHAN BLACK (one of my new faves) or FARGO or SHERLOCK.  Those would be fun!

Stephanie writes:

Hi Scott,

As a HUGE QAF fan from day one, I just wanted to let you know that I got my 73 yr old mother completely and utterly hooked on the show. When Time WarnerCable went out in our neighborhood, she literally freaked out because wecouldn't watch our back to back episodes! So we got them on Amazon prime butnow that Pride month is over, we are both going through withdrawal, so I mayindulge in the box set to keep her updated! (oh darn! LOL!)

As for Elephant Man…thank God Telecharge emailed me about the delay today.I had 2nd row center for 10/21 and now have 2nd row center for 11/8. Thereare 3 reasons I am so excited about this: 1) it my all time favorite play,2) I adore Bradley Cooper and 3) to see you in person is so exciting for me! According to Playbill, the show will start on 11/7…so hopefully I am safe with tickets for now. I am a Broadway-a-holic, so this is the one show I am most excited for this season. Break a leg, Mazel Tov and I'll sign anywherethere is a petition to get a reunion going for QAF! All my best!  

Stephanie

Sounds like you MAY have the coolest mom in town, Stephanie!  Sorry about that delay but I’m glad you got such prime seats for your replacement.  I’m pretty sure you’re safe with the 8th!  Bradley is SO good in this play.  You’re really in for a treat.  Hopefully we can say hello after the show!

Johanna writes:

hi scott my name is johanna jones and i see that u will be in the broadway play the elephant man from october to january and my birthday is oct. 26 and i plan on getting away to newyork for it so i jus wanted to say i am planning on coming to a show i hope to see you.

Happy Connecting.  Sent from my Sprint Phone.

Hey, Johanna, hopefully you’ve heard that the dates for THE ELEPHANT MAN got pushed three weeks due to a scheduling conflict.  The show now begins Previews November 7th, opens December 7th and runs through February 15, 2015.  Sorry that screws up your bday plans.

Felice writes:

Hi Scott,

Rewatched QAF several times now and love it each time. Question- Are you

singing the opera selections when Ted is the "singing waiter"?

Thanks for your time, and I hope to catch the Elephant Man in NYC later this year.

Sadly, no, Felice.  I had only a couple of weeks to try to learn how to sing like an opera singer but the producers weren’t happy with my final efforts so they dubbed me.  ;o(

July 1, 2014

Joanne writes:

Hi Scott. I have recently started rewatching QAF, thanks to Netflix. I findthe show as timely and relavant as the first time I watched it.(faithfully). Thinking of a question for you is difficult, so instead, Iwould like you to know that QAF, The Movie, would be something huge for allof the fans of the show. Seeing you all a few years older and a few yearswiser, would be beyond entertainment, it would be like having a familyreuinion. Just say the word and I will do everything I can to help this become a reality. In closing, I want to add that QAF is even better thesecond time around! Big love to you and all the the cast. Thank you.

And Sonya writes:

I know that you have been asked this numerous times but I love Queer as Folk and I can't get enough of the show! is there any chance of a Reunion?  Iwould love to know what the guys are doing now!! Like maybe Teddy and Emmett get married? Also, I wanted to say that I love how you played the character"Ted" with heart and sensitivity!

And Lucia from Germany writes:

Dear Scott,

I am writing to you on behalf of hundreds of fans by facebook and twitter, sure you noticed we wish a reunion of Queer as folk, a movie would be so nice after all these years, cause the QAF-family is missed very very much. 

we contacted different producers and still waiting for answer, we are thinkin about a new online-petition, but after that we dont know what WE FANS can do to bring you guys back all together in a movie. 

PLEASE tell me which possibilities there are for us fans, cause we would do EVERYTHING to see you guys all together again in a movie. 

And please tell me, if there will be no hope, cause we all love you guys from our heart, but its not fair to let us do everything for our dream when you know there is no hope.

We need your help Scott, cause we want the family back!

Lots of regards and all the best to you

Thanks, Joanne & Sonya and Danke, Lucia!  Well, as I’ve written on other social media platforms the cast is doing what it can to explore the possibility of some sort of reunion project so mostly we’re asking folks to be patient while we do.  The one thing that might ne helpful is for fans to let Showtime® (our original network and producer) know how much you’d like to see more QAF whether on air, streaming or on DVD.  Not sure the best method of doing that … perhaps an online petition of some sort so they can truly see the volume of people around the world who are craving to find out where these characters are ten years later.  I mean … it can’t hurt.

John writes:

I loved the QAF series, and Ted was my favorite character.  He had somepersonality problems, while not exactly like mine, that I found easy tosympathize with.  I was disappointed that he and Emmett did not get backtogether.  Ted expressed so much distaste for the physically unattractive,which hurt my feelings, because I am old, fat, and ugly, But I want someoneyoung and beautiful, just like all the other old, fat, ugly guys. Hmmmmm. You are exquisitely beautiful.  Besides being a crazed fan, I do have a question:  Was it ever considered to give you Gale Harold's role, and him your role?  I can see you playing the fabulous playboy, and I think Mr. Harold is physically well suited to play Mr. Nerd.  The two of you demonstrate well that the personality makes the man and not physical endowments.  I love you both, in case you boys should get into a tussle for my affections.  But I'm guessing you two can stay good buddies and I can stay pure as the driven snow.  I hate snow.

Well, John I believe “Ted” tried trading places with “Brian” in one episode and it didn’t go very well as I recall.  ;o)  I think Gale and I were cast in exactly the right roles but I appreciate your sentiments … and thanks for doing what you can to keep us from being at each other’s throats!

Nerdlush on Twitter writes:

NerdLush ‏@NerdLushDiva  7h

@scolo - when creating character, which is easier- light or dark aspects? which is more fun? which do you carry with you after a role?

Wow.  Great question.  Well, the darker is certainly a lot harder for me to tap into as I try to keep things light in my everyday life.  So, I have to dig a lot deeper to find that stuff and because of that it DEFINITELY sticks around a lot longer.  That was my biggest challenge in the five years of playing “Ted” on QAF - - finding a way to leave him at the office and not carry hime home with me because I definitely had to tap into the darker, deeper recesses of myself to find him quite often and had trouble shaking some of those feelings off at the end of the day because of that.  I’m ok now though!  ;o)

Leila from China writes:

Dear Scott, I am a big big Chinese fan of yours. Do you have impression on me? Aha!

Here is my question:I notice there are lots of Chinese elements in QAF. So, when it comes to China, what is your first thought in you mind? Have you ever been to China before? If you come to China, I can be your tour guide. :) 

Love and Kiss you!

Okay, Leila … here’s my impression of you.  Ahem.  “Hi!  I’m Leila.  I’m from China!  Aha!”  There.  How was that?  That’s a bad joke.  I hope it translates.  It is so thrilling to me and all of us on QAF that the show has fans as far away as China!  It is very humbling.  Such an ancient and beautiful country!  I know we would all love to come there someday and I think the first thought that would be in my mind would be: “I cannot believe I am in China!  I NEVER thought I would get here!  Now, where’s that Great Wall?”

Kimberly from Florida writes:

Heya Scott!! I am a leader for a troop of daisys here in Jacksonville, Fl. I am finishing up my first year and we are in desperate need of more girls! We believe that your message could help our organization attract new members.WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS!! Only asking for your support on a campaignfor next year. The more help, the farther our word reaches. Would you be willing to come?

Well, I’m not sure how much my presence could help attract some Daisies or Girl Scouts (they’re not my usual demographic).  Maybe try Hal Sparks.  He’s on a Disney show!

Tatiana from Russia writes

Hello Scott!

My name is Tatiana and I'm from Russia. I don't know if you get many responses from your fans in Russia but from my behalf i'd like to say that you have many many loyal fans in Russia, both you and all QAF crew. I guess that with all what's going on right now in the world and in press considering politics and stuff, russian people can seem like villains but it's far from true. What is true is that Russia is unfortunatly a very homophobic country :-( that's why it's so great and so important that boys and girls in my country have a chance to see QAF tv show thanks to the internet because i think many years may pass till we can see something like that on our tv screens. We have QAF fangroups in VK (russian version of Facebook) and i read a lot there, about how "Queer as folk" helping these young and sometimes not so young people with their gay identities and letting them know, that they are not alone and there are many people like them in this world. You have to understand that many people here only now beginning to discover "Queer as folk". I'm a heterosexual woman and i know many homophobic people, some of them are my friends ((( they're not bad people, my guess is that they are just affraid because they don't know what it is and how to deal with it. Here you don't meet that many gay people on the streets, you don't hear talking about it on tv or anywhere else and that's why QAF is playing such an important role in our society. I managed to talk some of the people i know to watch "Queer as folk" and i can say it's really changed their attitude towards LGBT community and that's made me very happy. Thank you and all QAF crew for changing the world into a better place. Since QAF i followed your work and also Peter's, Gale's, Randy's, Michelle’s and Thea's work and you guys are a great inspiration for me, you all are phenomenal people and great actors, good luck to all of you in everything you do and your russian fans will always support you.

My question is: Will you consider coming to Madrid for the QAF convensionnext year 2015? I am planning to come and i would be very happy to see youthere :-)

Sorry that this message is so long and thanks for an opportunity to write you this.

Thank you so much for writing me, Tatiana!  I’ve had the chance to meet a few wonderful and beautiful fans from Russia at our conventions in Germany, Spain and here in The States.  It is very moving to me that depsite a government that is so opressive to teh LGBT community that there are so many supporters of our show there.  I by no means even suspect that all Russian people are homophobic and you are right when you say those who are just don’t know many gay people and are frightened of what they don’t know or what they have been taught.  I’m glad to hear that our show is helping educate Russians even if it is just one person at a time.  Every little bit helps and I thank you and all the Russian fans for helping spread the word that.  You are very brave and should be very proud of yourselves.  I know I am.

As far as the Convention in Madrid in 2015, I have not been invited by the organizers as of this date.  If you and other fans would like to meet me there you’ll have to contact the organizer and let them know that.  I would love to see you all there and hopefully I will be asked again.  I had a wonderful time in Bilbao this year and am always happy to come meet and speak with you all.

March 7, 2014

Lee writes:

Scott--

    Loved your performance in 12 Angry Men. Also, it helped me write the following article for CounterPunch. Thank you so much.

Lee 

The Jury Is Out

In the early 1950s, playwright Reginald Rose served on a jury for a manslaughter case where there were several hours of fierce debate in the jury room. That experience led Rose to write his masterpiece, the Emmy-winning drama 12 Angry Men, in which a lone dissenter blocks the rush to judgment by a  jury weighing the fate of a Puerto Rican youth accused of killing his father.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I saw a new theatrical production of 12 Angry Men at the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles. Director Sheldon Epps and half of the twelve members of the ensemble cast are black. This drives some of the jury’s internal conflict in Epps’ retelling of the story, even though the defendant isn’t identified by race. The multiracial cast flies in the face of the media stereotype of Los Angeles juries as old, white, and middle class.

In the spring of 2012, I found out for myself the accuracy of Epps’ jury depiction. Summoned for jury duty, I reported to the big Superior Court building in downtown Los Angeles, where fifteen to twenty courts are going every day. There are potential jurors everywhere--in the hallways, the assembly rooms, the cafeteria.

            LA juries today are a head-spinning mix of colors, ages, and nationalities. I would estimate that as many as one in ten don’t speak functional English. Middle class is there but hardly dominant. I saw one huge jury panel where over eighty per cent of the people were excused for economic hardship. Part time jobs, shitty jobs, small business owners.

Does this mean defendants in Los Angeles receive their Constitutional right to a trial by a jury of their peers? Some do, but someone up on gang charges won't see his or her reflection in the jury box. And while non-citizens, a large section of the LA population, can be tried, they can't serve on juries.

                Despite the intimidating atmosphere, the diversity of the jury pool helps to stimulate a wide-open discussion during jury selection. People denounce the court system when questioned and many challenge every aspect of judicial dogma. Why can't I take the possible punishment into consideration? Circumstantial evidence is bullshit. But it was the topic of the police which drew the most attention.

As potential jurors, we were asked if we would accept the word of a police officer testifying on the witness stand. Among others, I saw a number of white people say that, based on their own experience, the cops cannot be trusted. One middle-aged white woman spoke about how she had grown up believing that the police always told the truth, but that she had lived through experiences which changed her mind completely.

            In 12 Angry Men not one of the jurors expresses any reluctance to serve. But the overwhelming vibe in Los Angeles Superior Court is the desire to avoid jury duty. It is spoken about in the courts and in conversation constantly. Few people listen when a judge gives his stock rah-rah welcoming speech to the jurors in the assembly room.

Why don't people want to serve on juries? Inconvenience? To a degree. For "political" reasons? Sometimes. But the majority of it is just alienation from a hostile process conducted in a deliberately obtuse language. Jurors are generally treated like criminals, except without the pretense of a presumption of innocence. You are forced to share your feelings and experiences, often quite personal and intimate ones, with an entire courtroom filled with strangers. Who are these people? Let me out of here!

Jurors may enter a courtroom thinking only about how much they want to go home, but they can’t help but be affected by the way that our 21st century incarceration nation seeps into every pore of our being, like pollution or television advertising. The economic, social, and racial inequalities are so glaringly obvious that only a juror in total denial would be unaware of them.

There are 2.7 million people incarcerated in the U.S. with millions more on probation or parole even though our crime rate is below the international norm. For example, according to USA Today, violent gun crimes are down 75% compared to twenty years ago. Yet the United States imprisons men and women at a pace nearly ten times greater than that of other industrialized nations. An estimated 65 million Americans have a criminal record. This means that a large percentage of potential jurors have a friend or relative who has already been run over by the juggernaut which is the American court system. It’s worth noting that LA Superior Court judges are paid more than the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court, perhaps because they perform a more vital function for that system--keeping the prisons full. 

A country based so heavily on incarceration needs the police to keep it that way. Driving through my neighborhood, I often see young men sitting on the sidewalk, handcuffed. They’re waiting for the police to take them to jail, most likely only as a way station on the way to prison. These cops are modern day slave catchers, but with a broader racial mandate than the nineteenth century enforcers of fugitive slave laws. Those sent to prison today may well wind up as slaves, working behind the walls for a Fortune 500 company that pays just pennies an hour. But whether they just sit in their cells or package products for Microsoft,  they are adding to the bottom line of the prison industrial complex just by being there.

Whether it’s a publicly or privately owned jail or prison, their budgets feed the bottom line of countless vendors who supply them. In the case of private prisons, there’s a more insidious economic imperative at work. In The Public Interest reviewed sixty contracts between private prison corporations and state and local governments and found that nearly two thirds of  them contained language mentioning “quotas” for prisoners. Mandatory occupancy is 70 per cent in California and 100 percent in some Arizona prisons. Mandatory occupancy means more people must be arrested and convicted, the Constitution and the sensitivities of juries be damned.

The annual report of the GEO Group, a private prison corporation, says corporate risks include: “reductions in crime rates” that “could lead to reductions in arrests, convictions, and sentences.” Bill Gates is a major investor in GEO Group and he expects the criminal justice system to guarantee him a profit. And so it does.

While the majority of America’s poor are white and most inmates are poor, it’s also true that the lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for white men is 1 in 17, 1 in 6 for Latino men, and 1 in 3 for black men. A survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics showed that an estimated 500,000 people were threatened by or had force used against them by police officers in one year. Blacks and Latinos made up half of those who had such experiences even though they made up only one fifth of the population covered by the survey. Eighty per cent of those 500,000 were arrested. 

Similarly, eighty per cent of defendants are indigent and unable to hire a lawyer. In Wisconsin, anyone who earns more than $3,000 a year is considered able to afford a lawyer and thus over 11,000 people each year in that state go to court without representation.

The morphing of the United States into incarceration nation dates to the beginning of the so-called “war on drugs,” which got underway during the Reagan administration when drug use was actually declining. What was increasing were factory and mill closures, which created a mass of permanently unemployed. No jobs waiting on the outside has meant the end of most educational and cultural programs in prison as there is no longer anything to be rehabilitated for. This also removes, from a corporate perspective, any need for lenient sentencing.  Alan Mobley, an ex-con who is now a professor of criminology at San Diego State, writes that today “the prison industry creates its own repeat customers.” 

Funding for various law enforcement drug task forces began to dwindle during President Bush’s tenure, but presidential candidate Barack Obama promised to revive the Byrne grant program, claiming that it is “critical to creating the anti-drug task forces our communities need.” Following the election, Obama allocated $2 billion in new funding for the Byrne grant program despite its abysmal failure to do anything other than lock up casual drug users and smalltime dealers.

Not only does the drug war fuel the prison industrial complex, it corrupts the police who make it all function with constant arrests. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the Sunrise, Florida police made millions luring would-be cocaine buyers there and then seizing their cash and other goods. In Maysville, Kentucky, Timothy Fegan, the former director of the Buffalo Trace-Gateway Narcotics Task Force, has been indicted for stealing money seized in drug raids as well as cash kept on hand for drug buys.   In Birmingham, Alabama, the former head of the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force, Jeffrey Snyder, was sentenced to federal prison for stealing money seized by the task force.

The drug war and its twin brother, the war on terror, provide the excuse for the militarization of American police forces, both urban  and rural. MRAP (an 18 ton armored vehicle of the type used in Afghanistan), is now in the arsenal of several police departments, including some on college campuses. It came, as Chase Madar wrote in TomDispatch,  “like so much other equipment police departments are stocking up on—from tactical military vests, assault rifles, and grenade launchers to actual tanks and helicopters—as a freebie via a Pentagon-organized surplus military equipment program.” We are now at a point where a movie like The Hunger Games, with its depiction of high tech equipment used without hesitation for class warfare, looks like a documentary about the United States.

That doesn’t mean plain old-fashioned guns are obsolete. Shootings of presumably innocent people by the Los Angeles Police Department are increasing at a rate of greater than 50% a year. Meanwhile, German police fired a total of 85 bullets in 2011 while 84 shots were fired at a single suspect in Harlem in April 2011. This ratio must seem about right to the one per cent. In the same year that New York  cops in Harlem sprayed twice as many bullets at an unarmed man as they did when they killed Amadou Diallo—leading Bruce Springsteen to write his protest anthem “41 Shots”--JPMorgan Chase donated $4.6 million to the New York City Police Department.

Schoolchildren are also now at risk of getting caught in the line of fire as the school-to-prison pipeline continues to  run at near capacity. Kids are now incarcerated for school disciplinary offenses which once would have been handled in the principal’s office. A recent Department of Justice lawsuit revealed that in Mississippi, students have been arrested for dress code violations and for playfully throwing peanuts on a bus. If students are never going to find work, why not get them into prison early?

Jurors will have a tough time fairly evaluating those and all other cases. Court appointed defense attorneys, such as the one in 12 Angry Men , face crushing case loads with little in the way of resources. Meanwhile, as legal expert Ben Eicher describes it: “A prosecutor has the entire law enforcement investigative power and money at his or her disposal; a prosecutor’s evidence is based on what the same law enforcement investigators say was found or said—meaning the fact-gatherers are also the advocates; a prosecutor has unlimited resources. The defense attorney generally has little to work with. When a defendant does have money and gains an acquittal the hue and cry is always ‘See, money buys acquittals.’ No, money buys convictions.”

The wildly disproportionate power that prosecutors hold can overwhelm the resources of even a wealthy defendant. Money certainly didn’t buy former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson an acquittal. Tyson was sent to prison after being convicted by an Indiana court in 1992  of raping Desiree Washington. According to juror David Vahle, at one point in the deliberations the vote to convict was only six to six and, just as in 12 Angry Men, it took a lot of debate to reach a consensus. But that consensus fell apart after Tyson was in prison. Five jurors came forward to say they had doubts about Tyson’s guilt because it had come to light after the trial that the prosecution had withheld key evidence. Juror Ken Turnbaugh said Tyson deserved a new trial. Vahle and NBC-TV legal correspondent Star Jones, a former district attorney, both said that Washington may have brought charges in order to extract a financial settlement from Tyson.

How many times do American prosecutors withhold evidence but nobody discovers it? Jurors have the impossible task of trying to divine that, guided by defense lawyers whose position is akin to that of Grenada when it was invaded by the United States.

In Arkansas, evidence may consist solely of the word of a landlord as allegedly delinquent tenants are funneled directly to criminal  courts and, if they can’t pay up, the result can be arrest and imprisonment.  In Minnesota, a quintessential “blue state,” there has been an exponential increase in arrest warrants for debtors over the past four years. And those two states are just the tip of the debtor prison iceberg.

Jurors are put in an impossible moral bind, asked to referee a game between two very unequal teams. When you see a man facing his third strike searching the pool of potential jurors for a friendly face, or an immigrant woman defendant who speaks no English stare blankly at the judge, it makes you search for your own humanity. But you can’t find it because you are a cog in an inhumane system.

At the end of the Pasadena Playhouse production of 12 Angry Men, the last holdout for a guilty plea changes his vote to innocent. It is an emotionally charged moment and the audience responds with a standing ovation. The feeling in the theater is intense and palpable: Justice is done! We’ve won!

Justice was not done. A life was saved and that is a beautiful thing. But the unseen defendant in 12 Angry Men also stands in for the millions of defendants who have been brought to the bar and convicted over the past thirty years of steroidal prison growth.

In the middle of this one-sided assault on our rights and our peace of mind, jurors are expected to deliver justice and feel good about it. That can happen—and not just on stage. I watched a jury celebrate after acquitting a Mexican man who faced seventeen years in prison. But juries themselves are becoming obsolete. Over 90 per cent of cases today are resolved by plea bargaining in which a defendant, quite possibly innocent, takes a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. The media emphasis on juries and our Constitutional right to a jury trial distract us from this reality. “The rule of law and due process are now largely a fiction,” Alan Mobley told me.

This is the end result of allowing ambitious prosecutors and private prison corporations so much power. The international restorative justice movement (RJ) is trying to take us in a different, much healthier direction. RJ recognizes that our adversarial system of prosecution versus defense doesn’t reveal the truth, it only creates more adversaries. RJ brings together offender and victim to speak frankly to each other, to move beyond vengeance in an effort to find solutions, healing, and balance. RJ has been effective in many countries, although in the U.S. it has so far been limited mostly to juveniles. Studies show that RJ reduces repeat criminal activity, saves money, and in most cases is satisfying to victim and offender alike. Once this door has been opened, anything can happen. In Vermont, two art shows took place in tandem, one featuring the art of crime victims and one featuring the art of those who had committed crimes. Deborah Lee Luskin of the Brattleboro Community Justice Center said that “Seen together, these two exhibits provided a good reminder of the human stories behind the sensational news accounts or dry statistical accounting of violent crime.”

As RJ tries to move into the world of adult offenders in the United States, it will meet greater resistance from those with a vested interest in the status quo. That struggle could help unleash a meaningful debate about solutions, an escape from the endless shrill cries of “Get tough on crime!”

But to achieve systemic change, solutions must go beyond the criminal justice system. The most common denominator of all the people who are incarcerated is that they are poor. This confirms that there is no way to significantly reduce crime without eliminating poverty. Take the case of my father-in-law, who was murdered by two homeless teenagers. They were homeless because our politicians, Democrat and Republican, are far more concerned with protecting the real estate industry and its financiers than they are about housing people who have nowhere to live. If we had put an end to homelessness when it emerged (at the exact same time as the drug war began and factories began to close), my father-in-law would be alive today. Get tough on crime? Get serious about crime prevention.

Are the American people prepared to do this? They are trying to show that they want to. In 1959, Reginald Rose wrote his follow-up to 12 Angry Men, a teleplay called  Thunder on Sycamore Street which told the story of an ex-con attempting to go straight while his neighbors form a mob to drive him from their neighborhood. That wind is shifting today. In a recent poll, which the LA Times characterized as “a shift from a tough-on-crime stance,” up to 72% of Californians favor releasing nonviolent offenders and reducing their sentences. Nearly half of those questioned opposed building or enlarging prisons, this in a state where a massive prison building boom has meant tens of thousands of jobs.

Similar attitudes carry over to the “crime” of entering the United States without papers. While federal prosecution of immigrants for “illegal entry” has gone up 1,600 per cent since 2002, only 19 per cent of Californians say that those “illegally” in the country should be deported. This is one factor in the abysmal approval rating Americans give to their millionaire-dominated, anti-immigrant Congress.

            Can we become a country where the hard-won unity of the jury in 12 Angry Men becomes a template for daily life while the convoluted court system which brought that jury together in the first place is replaced by various forms of restorative justice? This will only be possible if we have the courage to promote a vision of a world where things are controlled but people are not; a society of unlocked doors where no one lives in the streets and no one is given carte blanche to make those streets into free fire zones.

Thanks, Lee!  This is awesome.  I’m honored that our show helped spark this incredibly insightful peice.  Thanks for sharing it!  You’re a terrific writer.

Mark writes:

Given that you're straight, was it difficult to do the kissing and sexscenes in QAF?

I'm a gay man and not theatrically inclined (at least, on the stage!) but I cannot even *imagine* seriously kissing a woman, let alone having sex (real or simulated) with one!

Did physical contact with another guy present problems for you and the other straight members of the cast; and what did you do to feel comfortable inthose scenes?  

BTW:  I thought you and Randy Harrison were the two most convincing actorson QAF, though there were times when I wanted to step into the TV and *slap*Ted Schmidt (which shows you were doing a REALLY good job of acting)!

Believe me, Mark there were people who didn’t bother trying to step into their TV’s … they just slapped me when they saw me on the street.  Odd way to take a compliment ... but I did.

You know, it’s kind of part of the job if you’re playing a romantic scene to find something beautiful and attractive in you partner no matter WHAT their sex is so you can play your scene honestly.  If I had to be romantic with a woman I wasn’t attracted to it wouldn’t present any more challenges than kissing a man would … except, hopefully, for the razor burn.

Ciarra writes:

I was reading through your Q&A's, having a good laugh at some of the questions and your responses, and wasn't going to write anything to you because I'm ~shy. But then I read in one that Largo is (was?) one of your favorite concert venues in Los Angeles. It happens to be my very favorite as well (don't worry, I'm not going to stalk you), and I was wondering, have you ever seen Jon Brion perform there?

It's always nice when some of the actors I very much respect have exquisite taste :)

You know, Ciarra as crazy as it sounds (because he’s there all the time) I’ve YET to see the amazing Jon Brion perform at Largo but I have very much wanted to for YEARS!  I’ll have to make a more concerted effort to try.  If I do and you stalk me there you are well within your rights!  ;o)

January 3, 2014

Mary writes:

Hello, Mr. Lowell  I would like to know if they would consider making a QAF movie.  I am still a big fan of the show after all these years. I think it is time for it to happen and I know a lot of fans would love to see what the character are today.  Would MR.COWEN & MR.LIPMAN consider it?  Please let me know if you can tell me , if not could you point me in the right direction to ask?  

PS. and have a better ending for brian & justin. Everbody loves a happy ending so maybe they can find each other again.  It would be a big hit if they did make it.   thank you for your time.   mary

Thanks, Mary!  It’s probably the question we get asked more than any other.  While we would all love to get back together and work on a follow-up to QAF it is a very difficult proposition to pull off ... but not impossible.  Perhaps it would take the kind of dedicated fan base that helped fuel the current film version of “Veronica Mars” and a crowd sourcing fund drive to make it happen and prove to film investors that it would be a worthwhile project.  Once that happens then it would just take a really amazing script to make all the actors excited about working on it.  But I really think it starts with the fans proving the numbers are there to make it viable to producers.

Rogerfrom China writes:

Hello～ Scott Lowell， I'm a Chinese student～You can call me Roger.I have seen the QAF .it has lots of affect on me～And you are my favorite role～So I enter your website ,and get your email.I really like your perform in the play.I am studying English now although it was still not good yet.But I will never stop trying and give up any chance to improve my English .I think you are a interesting and nice man .Although we haven't known each other before ,I just want to make friends with you ,right！I hope you also think so～Waiting for your reply……Best wish to you.                                         Roger

Roger, your English is 1256% better than my Chinese!  Thank you for your kind words.  A man can never have too many friends.  Good luck with your studies.

Amy from Portland writes:

Hi Scott! I am a huge fan and an actress in Portland. I just saw that youare in "The Big Meal"! Are you planning on staying in Portland? whats next!?


-Amy

Hey, Amy!  Well, I sure hope you got out to see “The Big Meal”.  It was one of my favorite experiences on stage ever and I wish the whole world could have seen it.  I had to leave Portland the day after we closed in October to get back to LA and start rehearsals for “12 Angry Men” so I’m no longer there.  But with my good friend and favorite director Dámaso Rodriguez running Artists Repertory Theatre up there I am sure I’ll be back!

Kimberly from IL writes:

I am a big fan of QaF and recently my kids became fans of it also. The thingI love about the show is how real it was. I don't think that any movie ortelevision program has ever evoked so many feelings from me before to whereI actually feel like I am part of the gang/family! I know the writer's hadlots to do with that,but kudos to you as actor's because you were able tobreath life into these characters and made them believable! What you andyour cast mates brought to the televison was awareness, understanding,acceptability, and growth and even humility! I have many people in my lifethat are LGBT and it has never been any issue with me to accept them I justalways have and I get rather upset with people that are judgmental or justplain mean and I don't stand for that and have left many people behindbecause I felt like I couldn't deal with the close mindedness, my kids haveseen this and now have adopted my way of thinking and are very protective oftheir friends that are LGBT and my daughter who is going to be 16 in a monthhas started a NOH8/NO Bullying club in her school (reminds me of Justin andDaphne). She is very pro-active and is doing all she can to make sure thather friends are not hurt~

Anyrate, sorry for rambling...my question would be, do you know of anyonethroughout the lower 48 that travels to schools to help set up, organize,set goals, and bring in speakers to not only make the schools kids aware butparents as well and help teachers to deal with the issues at hand? I am justlooking for help to make sure we do this right. It is too important to screwup! My kids don't want their friends to have to go through what my friendshad to go through to survive and be how they are! 

Thanks Scott for your time.

Kimberly

Hey, Kimberly.  Well, it sure sounds like you’re raising your kids with wonderful values.  Proud to have been a part of something that helped spur that on.  I’m sure there are a number of organizations that could come into schools but you might want to use any of these sites as resources to help you find the right one. 

http://www.matthewshepard.org 

http://www.itgetsbetter.org

http://www.hrc.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!  

Peace!

Scott

September 16, 2013

John from Laredo, TX writes:

Dear Scott, I'm a big fan of yours from the "Queer as Folk" series.  I have all five season on DVD and watch the entire series, one episode an evening, at intervals long enough to let the details go a bit hazy.  Getting to the hazy stage is not a big problem at my age, 63. 

The problems that Ted Schmidt has in his personality makeup are a lot like my own in critical ways (with some notable exceptions).  I feel greater kinship with Ted than with any other character.  I feel that I understand Ted.  (And the fact that you are dynamite handsome does a lot to keep my attention rivited on Teddy.  I have a crush on you that I cannot deny.  You probably hear that from all the gay boys.) 

I spent my life as a librarian.  The last 25 working years were spent as a cataloger for the local university.  I now have two pensions and social security payments that add up to a few thousand a year more than I made when working.  My lifestyle is modest (don't smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs), so money is not a problem.  I have bought a house for my retirement that is a palace compared to most places I lived in previous years, though it is a tract house in a lower middle-class neighborhood.  I have turned one bedroom into a library, one bedroom into an office, one bedroom into a bedroom (not too difficult), and am considering making the dining room into a second parlor without a TV. 

My biggest problem is loneliness, which is why I write a fan letter to an actor.  Ted did not think much of fan contacts when Emmett started getting gifts from fans, but his led to a loving relationship and a brief flirtation with wealth (though anyone could see the family lawyers getting this reversed, from the get-go).  Since you provide an email address for fans, perhaps you are a little more tolerant of us than Ted was. 

I have one question about the series.  Were you ever considered for the Brian Kenny part?  I can see you and Gale Harold in each others' roles very easily.  I'm happy with the role assignments as they are, because I find Ted more lovable than Brian.  But a reversal of roles would have worked. 

You mean so much to so many people that you don't know.  It is a burden, I'm sure, but it is a blessing if you look at it with the right perspective.  Your recorded work will be helping people for many years.  Let this knowledge mean something to you. 

If you are ever in Laredo, Texas, I'm in the phone book.  (Allow me to believe that you would call.) 

Your fan, John

Thanks for writing, John and for all your kind words.  I hope in your retirement you'll find the time to get out and study or pursue activities that you've always wanted to but never had the time.  My bet is you'll begin to meet some very interesting people and perhaps find a cure for your loneliness.  As far as the "role reversal" for Gale and myself … I think the casting folk got it juuuust right.  Plus, remember "Ted" tried being "Brian" for a day and it didn't turn out so well.  ;o)  Take care.

Cheryl writes:

Hi Scott,

I am and was when it was on Showtime, a HUGE Queer as Folk fan (where I first saw you).  I saw you recently on Bones and Castle as well.  My favorite actors have always been those that can play “character” roles and fit a myriad of different personalities.  Do you have a favorite role that you have played either short or long term?

I wish you all the best and hope to see you soon again!

Best Wishes

Cheryl

Hey, Cheryl.  Well, naturally "Ted" remains my favorite but I have really enjoyed playing "Dr. Filmore" on BONES and hope they'll bring him back again.

Christopher from Wilmington writes:

Dear Scott,

I know it's been, well, 8 years since QAF ended.  It was a very tragic day for me when that happened.  I know you probably get a million people saying this, but QAF changed my life,  I never felt okay being gay even after I realized it and accepted it.  We didn't have any role models that weren't either tragic AIDS patients, goofy neighbors, or shopping buddies.  But, when I was 21, QAF came into my life.  The show made me feel that I had five friends who taught me how to accept it.  For the very first time in my life I felt it was okay to be gay.  

The show was not only groundbreaking but it helped along an entire generation.  I hope you know that.  I hope you know that every bead of sweat, every tiring day, every struggle that you, as an actor, gave for that show has had a profound impact in lives.  I want to thank you very much.

Christopher D

Wilmington, North Carolina

Thank you SO much for writing that, Christopher.  It's letters like yours that remind me why I love what I am fortunate to get to do.  I'm glad our show had such a positive impact on your life.

Justin writes:

Scott, I just wanted to say that you were one of my favorite characters on QAF. I loved the show even though I'm young enough to have missed the original airing. It has been an integral part of my development as a gay man. Ted is the character that I most relate to in the series. It also doesn't help that I found you to be the most attractive character on the show. You have amazing talent. And I hope one day to find a man just like Theodore Schmidt. Well rounded and attractive like you seem to be. I don't know much about the lives of the cast outside the show, but you managed to play a very convincing, and attractive gay man. I hope to see more from you in the future in your acting career. You are a very sexy and talented man.

All the best, 
Justin in TX

Thanks, Justin!  I hope you find a good man like "Ted" too!

Michael writes:

Hello Scott,

It was great meeting you on AA-222 Thursday.  I am not a celebrity watcher and rarely recognize anyone.  You, however caught my attention.  Denver must have been a good place to grow up.  I grew up in Louisville,KY, lived a year in Schaumburg, IL outside of Chicago, then moved to Marblehead in 1988.  New Haven is nice also.  I guess that is why you flew into Boston.  I sincerely hope our paths cross again.  I have not played ping pong in years but would love to take you on sometime!Enjoy your time here and if so inclined, write me back.

Best wishes

Michael

Thanks, Michael.  So sorry for the delay in getting this and getting back to you (almost a year later).  I had a great time in Boston celebrating my sister's award from a local Breast Cancer organization (super proud of her!!)  As far as ping pong goes … well, my skills on display in "Ping Pong Playa" have not improved by any degree so you may find yourself evenly matched!

Nicole writes:

Hi Scott!!!!!!

So I just saw that you guys were doing another one of those Rise n' Shine Conventions again in LA. My sister and I want to come soooooooooooo bad but we are all the way in Jersey and can't miss that much work. Any chance you guys will be doing one in NY eventually?? If not, you should totally consider this a suggestion! We SO love you & QAF and would be SOOO excited to come to one!!! Also, I know you say no QAF reunion movie or show, but I reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyy think you totally should- i'm pretty sure the whole world is waiting for it!! :) Okay, I am done telling you what to do now! Thanks for taking the time to read our letters. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!



Nicole :)

You know what, Nicole?  You are a VERY exclamatory typist!!  That's grrrrreeeeeeaaaaattttt!!  So am I!  We did indeed have an amazing fan convention in LA this past June and we are happy to attend ones in NYC or Toronto or Pittsburgh or Chicago or ANY city in the USA or the world where someone decides to organize one.  A few of us will be in Bilbao, Spain in March for the next one on the calendar.  As far as a movie goes … if the whole world is willing to pitch in enough money to make it happen ANYTHING is possible!  ;o)

Ryan writes:

Hi Scott,

I was a huge fan of the story line between Ted and Blake on QAF. I loved the chemistry and the themes of timing and punctuation and the opera. I was wondering if you were still in touch with Dean Armstrong and if you have had any contact with him since the show? What about the other cast, have you been in contact with them as well? 

Thank you so much for you great performance on QAF and your many others! 

- Ryan 

Yeah, Ryan I'm in touch Dean often and see him whenever he's in LA or I'm in Toronto.  The whole cast remains quite close and we spend time whenever we can together.

Corey writes:

Hi,

This is random but I think I saw you today at Gelson's on Hyperion?  I wanted to come back and say hello and tell you i'm a big fan but didn't wanna be a big nerd.  Also, I had just come from the gym and didn't look my best.  

Anyway...Thanks for all the work you do for our GLBT community.  You're a great actor and a wonderful advocate.

Sincerely,

Corey

Thanks, Corey.  Yup, that's my Gelson's and Trader Joe's since I moved to the 'hood in December.  I hope I wasn't buying anything too embarrassing!

Brittany writes:

Hey Scott! My name is Brittany and ever since I watched the first episode of QAF I've been hooked. Your character always brought a smile to my face and many hearty laughs! I'd give anything to meet you all. You are all so amazing and talented and have the biggest balls on earth! Send the cast my love! I'll never forget Teddy <3

Well, Brittany you really HAVE watched the show closely if you acknowledge the truth about my testicles!

Maritza writes:

Hello Scott,

Loved your portrayal of Ted even though at times I wanted to ring his neck through the television, in other words great acting!  Is there much of a resemblance to your character  or non at all?

Also, where can we see you working today? Television

Thank you

Well, I hope the neck-wringing parts of "Ted" that you found are what I DON'T have in common with him, Maritza … but I'm afraid there's probably a bit of me in there too.  The self-loathing and destructive tendencies of "Ted" are what we don't share much of as well as the obsession with opera and most of his choice in wardrobe … other than that we are a lot alike.  ;o)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My HUMBLE apologies for the extreme length of delay in replying to these questions (more than a year for some).  For various reasons we have been unable to update the site until now but hopefully that problem is fixed and I should be able to respond more responsibly!  I hope you all are having a GREAT Autumn!

April 20, 2012

Page from Bulgaria writes:

Hey, Scott, I'm a huge fan of yours and have always thought you're the most handsome man I've ever seen. I just love your smile! So, so beautiful and adorable! :-) And I've always wanted to write to you and ask you a silly little question, but felt embarrassed to do it.. But I've worked up my courage now! I was wondering are you ticklish and, if so, do you have tickly feet? Lots of love from Bulgaria,

Page xx

You know what, Page?  I used to be quite ticklish in my arm pits and bottom of my feet but as time has worn on I’ve lost my ticklishness there.  Maybe too many years of deodorant and running have numbed those areas.  Occasionally and under the right “circumstances” a new spot emerges in various spots ... so there’s still hope for me!

Veronica writes:

Hi Scott!

Let me first say what a treat it is to see you on so many television shows these days. Unfortunately, I do not live in a city where I am able to see you perform live. I keep hoping that one day I can make that happen.

Ok, now on with the begging.....

The QAF fandom nearly imploded with joy over the news that you and your fellow cast-mates are considering a reunion. It is too good to be true! Here is my plea…..PLEASE consider holding a convention in the US. While I know that there are many fans abroad; there are also a great deal of fans here, who cherish the show, the actors and the QAF world. While I am sure Cologne, Germany is a beautiful place, it is also far and economically impossible for many US based fans.

I know many of us have been loyal and avid fans since day one. I am always jealous when I hear about conventions for other popular shows. I know the show “Supernatural” has enjoyed great success with their conventions all over the US. PLEASE ask your fellow cast-mates to consider rewarding the loyal and consistent fans here with a convention. I have never followed a show or group of actors as diligently as I have for QAF. There are so many fans and people in small towns all across the US who have never seen or met any of you in person. It would be a dream come true for some and a life-changing event for others.

I do know that in the past, there have been fans who have acted poorly and inappropriately during encounters with certain QAF actors. It is my hope and plea that you and the rest of the cast do not penalize the many for the inappropriateness of a few.

If you do consider a convention in the US there are so many wonderful locations (Chicago, DC, Atlanta, San Diego, Tampa/St. Petersburg) where it could be held and so many wonderful people in the fandom who would be willing to help organize a fun and safe experience. I would even throw my hat and marketing skills into the mix to make it happen. I implore you and the cast to consider this proposal and bring a bit of thumpa-thumpa joy to the hearts of thousands.

Thanks for listening!

Veronica

Thanks, Veronica.  We are all indeed VERY excited to meet our European fans in Cologne, Germany in June and would absolutely LOVE to have some sort of convention here in the U.S. ... but it’s not up to us.  We don’t organize the events, others do and invite us and as you can now see we are more than happy to attend.  So hopefully a convention organizer in the States will see how successful Germany is/was and put one together here at home.  We’d all be thrilled I am sure.

Diana from Germany writes:

Hi Scott,

my name is Diana, i live in germany and i‘m also a very big fan of QAF (wow, how many times did your hear that one, yet?? ) J

I have a question for you, too. Even though it might be a bit different.

I saw on your Facebook-Account that you know a women named Elsa Rose-Bryant. I know her from a website called “Midnight Whispers”.

It’s a site where people can post their “Queer As Folk” fanfiction stories.

She’s one of the best authors there and I absolutely LOVE her stories.

Now I just wanted to know if you have read some QAF-stories yourself and if so – what do you think? I’m an author myself and I have a very

vivid imagination J

I love to show the “gang” in the most different situations and lives.

I’d love to hear back from you. I wish you all that you wish for yourself and i hope to see even more of you in the future.

Best wishes

Diana

Guten Täg, Diana!  While I am well aware that there is a lot of fan fiction based on the QAF characters out there, I must confess that I’ve never read any of it.  I think it’s absolutely amazing that the fans have kept these characters alive in their writing but the QAF I know is the one we’ve filmed and I’d prefer to just remember that.  Keep on writing though!!

Russ from the UK writes:

Hi Scott,

It was a great pleasure to watch all of you great actors in QAF, the portrayal of each character was so poignant and touching and reflected a lot in me being a Gay person.

It was as if a GAY world truly exists out there because as a gay man its always in the background, you see more of a "Heterosexual World"

I hope we get to see all you guys in a reunion QAF special (10 years on-who knows??). What will Debbie and Emmett be wearing LOL!!

Take care

Best of luck in all you do Scott

I am Glad you are all keeping in touch!!

Russ

UK

That’s a great question, Russ.  What WOULD “Emmett” and “Debbie” be wearing and how many pairs of sunglasses would we need to wear to protect ourselves from the glare?  ;o)

Diana writes:

Hi Scott,

My names Diana. I just have a couple of questions. I know you  have probably gotten these questions hundreds of time and you’ve probably read this exact sentence hundreds of times, but I just want to know. Will there ever be a Queer as Folk movie, 2 hr. special, another season, episode, etc..? I absolutely LOVE this show. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best series ever made. I love all the actors/actresses and characters. I think you’re an amazing actor. I just wish I can meet you and the rest of the QAF family. The closest one I live near is Randy so I’m trying to work on that..haha. Can you just please write back.. PLEASE. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sincerely, Diana

Hey, Diana! Here I am writing you back ... well kind of.  Sadly, I don’t think there will be any further QAF movies or episodes.  You can read past Q&A’s for the various reasons why ... plus, it’s been seven years since we’ve filmed.  Do you know HOW much work it would take to get us all “naked-ready” again?  ;o)

Tatiana from Puerto Rico writes:

I'm Tatianna, born and raised in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I remember the first time I read the title, and even saw part of Queer as Folk...I was like 12? 13? 14? my father almost beat the crap out of me. But it was an accident, I was just looking through the channels and I saw part of it. I'm not gonna lie, judging by the first scene I saw I really thought it was a "Gay Sex, Soft Porn" (whatever). I kind of forgot about it until I read an article (don't remember what website) But I saw the title and I knew they were talking about the same show they have in SHowtime. So I read it, and realized it's isn't just sex! I knew about it, got to know the characters thanks to Wikipedia....I knew ALL of you without even watching an entire episode of the show because I did not get the chance to watch the show, just a couple of clips in youtube but it was just for a while because I was afraid my father will yell at me. I would delete the history of the computer thinking that he'd find an "inappropriate youtube video" from this show.  It was not until I moved to Florida by myself 2.5 years ago that I was "free to watch whatever I wanted" the thing is that I forgot about Queer As Folk until like a couple of months ago when in a classroom and the teacher asked "Tell me a TV show that you went out and bought the ENTIRE collection just because you loved just one episode" I honestly don't have any collection or any Complete Series of TV shows but the girl next to me said "Queer As Folk" and I just stared a her, my other classmates started laughing (of course) and I asked her (loud) in front of the class "British version or American" and she said "Oh God! the American Version" and all of the sudden it was a conversation between the Professor, Me and Her, people just were listening. She recommended us to look in youtube the video of the "Goodbye Final" the interviews and everything and she shut a lot of mouthes who kept saying that it was all about Gay Sex. I saw that and I said to myself "I got to watch this show!" And I did....I went and bought me each episode at this movie place where they sell used DVD's and stuff. (cheaper that way) and Saw it.... It took me one month and you would not believe how disappointed I was when it finished. I think about these TV shows like "Friends, that 70's show". They lasted more than 8 seasons ...Friends lasted 10! And Why Queer as Folk couldn't? It's bittersweet and I wish you guys celebrated your goodbye in your 10th anniversary but you gotta do what you gotta do. 

I'd be lying if I pick one character that inspired me the most, because in their own, special way they all DID and still DO inspire me. I'm a heterosexual woman, who identify herself with 2 characters of this story, Melanie (Michelle Clunie) and Brian (Gale Harold). It's only in the personality the way they speak and portray themselves... I am that kind of person. But inspiring? YOU ALL ARE. 

I loved this show, and I will always love it. My favorite so far. Covered topics that have touched me or someone I love. 

I really hope you all get this letter and you all have a special place in my heart. Not only the characters but you, the ones who gave life to them. 

Love,

Tatianna 

Wow!  What a great story, Tatianna.  Thank you so much for sharing that with me and I’m so glad the show meant that much to you.  While we were all sad to leave it behind isn’t it wonderful that it can live on forever?

Monica writes:

Hello Scott,

How are you and Gertie? what activities you do toghether?

Monica

We are both great, Monica!  Thanks for asking.  Gertie is my dog for those unaware.  We go on hikes around the hills or Los Angeles, play in the park, watch movies and lick our butt ... oh, wait ... that’s just Gertie on that last one ... I’m not that flexible.

Doris from Germany writes:

Hi Scott,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for giving us wonderful hours of (TV-)entertainment! I loved you as "Ted" in QAF. I think your character was the one most changing and developing, you really dis-played a wide range of emotions. Was it a challenge for you to play such a many-faceted role?

Unfortunately I'm not in the U.S. so I don't have the chance to see you on stage... But I'm really looking forward to see you at the convention in Cologne next year!

Greetings from Germany,

Doris

It was a great and wonderful challenge, Doris.  I consider myself quite lucky that the writers of QAF gave me so many fun and difficult plot lines.  I certainly never got bored, that’s for sure.

Oliver from China writes:

Dear Scott Lowell and his agent:

                     How are you recently, I  am a Junior high school student from China. I am you fans. Precisely,I am Ted's fan .The role you have played in  QAF. He is a funny guy , and i think so as you, i am sorry that i cannot speak English very well because i always got B in the English exam. I think you can use Google translator .<it's a joke>.ok.maybe it is not very funny.

                   I like Hal Sparks too.He is a China hand . Maybe you can get help from him.<英语很难学，输入英文也超级麻烦啊》。

              Finally，I have the same birthday with you. My birthday is February 22.Hope to get your reply.

                                                                                                                             YOURS  Oliver

Hello fellow Pisces!  Thanks for writing, Oliver.  Your english is much better than my Chinese will EVER be ... I’d probably get a D-.  You are right, though: Hal is a China hand!

Stephanie writes:

Hi Scott,

How in the world did you persuade the entire QAF cast to appear at the German convention?  You are a true miracle worker--the entire cast got together veeeerrrrry infrequently here in the states! Good going!

Steph (old enough to be you mom but still a QAF fanatic back in the day!!)

PS: Love all the QAFers. But you are a very special person indeed!!

You know what, Stephanie I have a secret stash of VERY secret photos of each and every one of them that, if they do as I say, will never see the light of day ... but if they DISOBEY me ... well, then ...

Henrique writes:

Hi Scott,

I am Henrique from Brazil, and started just now to watch the QAF DVD, stopped on season 4.

First I would like to say the series is amazing, awesome cast, directors, producers and screenplay. However, there was a episode from season 3, The Election last episode, which let me freeze. It´s when your character Ted found it a video of been abused by the orders. It was really strong for me, but I like for two reasons: first gives a alert about abusing drugs, alcohol and its consequence, second you performance as actor is really perfect. Can hardly wait to see the last two seasons.

Second, I would like to do personnel question, sorry if it’s teasing you. Are you adopted?  Sorry, I asked this because I am adopted too and I like to talk with others heart’s sons, here in Brazil is how we call sons adopted.

Thanks for your attention and wish health, success and all good things for you and your family.

Best regards,

Henrique Balogh

Thank you so much, Henrique.  I was indeed adopted as a baby and I think that phrase “Heart’s Son” may be the most beautiful expression of how I feel as an adoptee.  Thank you so much for sharing that.  I hope that’s how you feel as well.

Jamie from California writes:

Dear Scott,

I know I'm quite late to the party, but I just finished all 5 seasons of Queer As Folk yesterday!  I'm sorry if you're tired of hearing about a show that's been over for so long, but I feel like it's important for me to let you know just how much Ted meant to me.  Of course, I loved Brian and Emmett and everyone, who wouldn't?  It's easy to love those beautiful people, because we see them all the time - all the TV shows, all the movies, all the commercials - like they are the only people out there.  But the little people, the ugly people, the people who blend into the background, they're so incredibly underrepresented, despite the fact that they are not only real, but that they are actually the majority.  I count myself among these people (been overweight my whole life, never been pretty, never quite figured out how to talk to people, struggled with sexual identity for years - just generally awkward and unseemly) and while I am definitely a lover of TV and film, it does get difficult to watch beautiful person after beautiful person fly by on the screen and not feel totally invisible. 

Queer As Folk did something amazing by having a character like Ted in it at all, but it was made so much more amazing by your portrayal of him.  Ted could have just been the joke character, the token uggo, the one we're all supposed to pity and laugh at and contrast with all the other pretty people; but he was so much more than that!  He was a hero to people like me, people who felt forgotten or were deliberately ignored, people who just couldn't quite find it in themselves to love anything about themselves.  All of Ted's struggles - sex, drugs, money, self-image, all of them - were representative of the series of pitfalls and tentative triumphs that come along with being one of us.  Even at his absolute ugliest - which, for me, was during his addiction to crystal when he started to treat his friends like shit - there was a side to Ted that we saw, that other people seem to have missed, that was still a scared and self-hating little boy, wishing he could be beautiful and beloved. 

And may I just say, I think Ted's ending was about the best of anyone, my love for Brian or Emmett be damned:  he wished for the ability to love himself, and just as he blew out those candles, there stood the one person who saw through all Ted's self-hate and saw the goodness inside, Blake.  (Can I also say that I adored Blake?)  I love that it wasn't until Ted learned to love and respect himself, to see the goodness buried in all the ugliness, that he was finally able to have the person he'd wanted all along. 

Anyway, I didn't quite mean for this to get so long, and I really hope it makes sense (this is the first fan letter I've ever written, so I hope my enthusiasm was neither masked nor overpowering...).  In summary, I just wanted to tell you thank you, for playing Ted with such honesty and integrity, even in his darkest hours (and he had many), because it was refreshing and inspiring to feel like I was finally, in some way, finally represented on the screen. 

Thank you.  More than I can express, thank you. 

Sincerely,

Jamie, California

Jamie, when you write such a beautiful and eloquent letter like that you are welcome to go on and on!  Thank you so much.  I’m so glad I was able to give you a “voice”!

Peace!

Scott

June 1, 2011

Brita from Sweden writes:

Hello Scott!

I just feel like I need to tell you that I love your nose! Weird, I know, but it's beautiful.

Anyways, my name is Brita and I'm a big fan of QAF. While I was watching the show I was trying to figure Ted out. I mean, he did some pretty low stuff (like staying with guys to boost up his self-esteem...) and I kept wondering Ted, why do you keep doing these things?! Haven't you learned your lesson yet?

And at the end of the show, when Ted told off that bipolar, jealous, dark-haried guy he was dating I was so proud! Sincerely. I just wanted to tell you that.

Thanks, Brita.  I’ve got to say you’re probably the first person to love my nose.  Even I don’t love my nose.  So on behalf of my nose:  Sniff, sniff, sniff, SNORT.

Jeff from Louisville writes:

Hi Scott,

I was just wandering if there was an address to send you fan mail? I have been, and always will be a huge fan of your work. Queer As Folk is my all-time favorite series!!! I would really love to have your autograph, and I would like to send a nice letter and a picture for you. Thank you soo much for being such a great person!

Well thank YOU for saying such nice things, Jeff.  If you click on the Contact bar above you can send a request through either my agent or manager.  That’s the easiest way.  I tend to do them in batches so I might not get to it right away but I promise your patience will be rewarded!

M writes:

Hi, Scott,

Saw you this week on Bones playing the podiatrist with hysterical paralysis of the arm. You are great and funny with a terrific timing. David was able to play off you so beautifully. Reminded me of scenes in you know what with Brian K in the background responding to you guys.

As usual I enjoyed seeing the doctor immensely.  it's too bad that the crime shows put the names of the guest actors in the opening credits and then, often, I know they are the bad guys. Not in this case. I loved the interaction with the rest of the cast, especially Hodgins; I don't know his actor name, sorry.

I've seen Robert and you and someone else just recently on TV and it's just marvelous to see you guys working where I get to see you. Was it Peter I saw, I think so and Gale, too, on CSI I think. It's like someone decided or saw QAF and decided you guys are the great actors you are.

Great to see you.  Always enjoy your characters and how believable you are and who you become.  Wish they'd have you back for a repeat episode.  Fun and such a foil for Temperance and the humor with David.

M 

Anything more coming up on anything I can be sure to watch?

Yes, we former Folkers do get around, don’t we.  Couldn’t be prouder of us all if I tried.  I had a GREAT time doing “Bones” and would love to go back if they ask.  Wonderful cast, crew and producers.  Reminded me a little of our Toronto set for QAF.  As far as new stuff check out the updates on the Home page here.  Thanks, M!

Ben from Madrid writes:

Hi Scott:

Excuse my English but I'm learning it and I use some DVD 's to practice so I met you as Ted in "Queer as folk"...your character it's my favourite and in fact, I find you the most interesting and handsome man in the series.

Just thank you because you exist in real life and if sometimes you want learn or practice Spanish...oh!, sorry, I'm a 42 y.o. Spanish man who lives in Madrid (Spain)...so, welcome!.

Take care of yourself and lot of success...you'll get it 'cause you worth it!.

Ben.

Gracias, Ben!  I’m glad I exist in real life as well.  Trust me, your English is MUCH better than my Spanish will EVER be!

Glenda from Italy writes:

Good Morning Scott,

First of all, thanks for give us this incredible opportunity to speak with you. It's a rare thing, believe me. I appreciate it very much because It's a sign of open and kindness.

I'm Glenda and I write from Italy, so, forgive me if I make some mistakes in english.

Of course, I'm a big fan of QaF.. you already know that in Italy there's a wonderful community that , still now, support QaF and that follow the updates and actors's new projects. But,  I'm not ''just'' a QaF fan, but also a big fan of you. I watched you on tv or in internet in many other roles and, as far as my opinion counts, you 're a very talented actor. You're so intense , sweet and strong at the same time. My dream is see you on stage, so my first question is: Have you a new theater project? I'm pretty far but I would like to come to USA to see you on stage. The second question is about an idea I have since a lot of time. Do you mind if I create an italian page dedicated of you? Not a real web-site because you already have one, but a simple page for your italian fans with updates, new projects  and to inform people of future events or how and when to see you on italian tv. I don't want to be intrusive, believe me.. I'll wait for your answer.

I wish you all the best.

Hugs from Italy

Glenda

Mille grazie, Glenda.  Well, I’d say your opinion counts a lot!  I have some stage appearances happening over the summer that you can read about on the home page here.  I would be honored to have an Italian Page.  Everything sounds sexier in Italian so if you can do the same for me I’m all for it!

Joni from the Cayman Islands writes:

Hi, Scott:

Greetings from the Cayman Islands…very likely one of the most homophobic nations on earth. Like you, I'm not gay. But QAF is still my all-time favorite dramatic series and your role as Ted was undoubtedly one of the most heart-rending artistic expressions I've ever witnessed on television. My ex-husband was going through a crystal meth addiction at the same time Ted was. At the time, I was clueless--I thought he was simply mourning the sudden loss of his mother and sister…and handling it badly.

Watching your portrayal repeatedly over the past 5 years, I can't imagine now how I could have been so blind back then. But periodically re-watching the series helps me now deal with my pain and be more confident about the future. Thank you for improving my reality through your art.

I noticed your suggestion that fans could create and sign an online petition to get a QAF reunion shot by Showtime. If it ever surfaces, believe me, I'll sign it!

Now that I know about your website, I'll make sure to keep track of your future performances. Thank you for gathering the QAF family members for the Sheena Metal radio program. It meant a lot to those of us who still count the show's characters as precious friends.

Much love and joy and success to you. Keep using your talents to make the world a better place…

Oh yes, my question: Why did Chris Potter so suddenly leave QAF?

Hugs,
--Joni

Wow, Joni.  Thanks for sharing about all that.  I’m sorry you had to suffer through such a difficult time with your ex.  I think it’s very easy to ignore, or WANT to ignore the addictions of a loved one and Meth is such an insidious one.  I hope you both have healed from all that.

As far as Chris leaving after the 1st season, that was really a producer’s call and it’s not really my place to go into specifics because of that.  Chris is a wonderful actor but I think he was just never fully comfortable with the nature of our show from my perspective.  Maybe he’d fit in better in the Cayman Islands.  ;o)

Lucy writes:

Hi Scott!

So I recently started watching Leverage. It was one of those shows that I saw a ton of commercials for and was going to watching it, but never did. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to see you guest star on the show! Your character was very interesting to say the least, and definitely amusing! It was great to see you guest starring in other shows, and I hope that you’ll be guest starring in more shows in the feature! That’s all I wanted to say. Hope you’re having a great summer!

-Lucy

You and me both, Lucy.  You and me BOTH!  You have a great summer yourself.  Remember to wear sunblock!

Peace!

Scott

March 23, 2011

Kathleen writes:

Hi Scott!

I just want to thank you for getting the QAF gang together for the Sheena Metal interview, it was a joy to hear from all of you!

Did you know that QAF fans crashed their server right after the show trying to access the interview. It may be 5 years since a

QAF episode has been filmed but it will ALWAYS be the best series with the best actors I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch and rewatch and rewatch...

My question is, where was Randy and Hal? I read that Hal tweeted he wasn’t invited, is this true?

Oh and the next time you’re chatting with Cowlip, please let them know that a QAF feature movie would be a fantastic gift to bestow on all the rabid loyal fans, just sayin...

Kathleen in PA

Hey, Kathleen.  Yeah we found out right after the show that y’all crashed their servers.  Great job, Folkers, you made us feel like rock stars again.

Now, as far as Randy and Hal go, the show was a bit last minute in being put together and as I’m just not in touch with Hal as regularly as everyone else I didn’t have time to get to him and everyone else (he was missed though) and Randy wasn’t able to make it work with his schedule in NYC (w/ the 3 hour time difference).  That’s all.

Cowlip are getting ready to open a musical that they wrote the book for on the West End in London next month called “Betty Blue Eyes” (adapted from the film “A Private Function”) so I don’t think a QAF movie is going to be on their mind right now, unfortunately.  But, who knows ...

Wulan from Germany writes:

Hi Scott!

Just coincidently  visited your website and found out that your birthday was  just two days ago. So: Happy belated birthday! May happiness, success, joys and loves always fulfill your life and what you wish will come true. Stay healthy and surrounded by people you love and who love you. 

I was searching a certain song when I saw coincidently the series where you were in. It was the nude scenes of those series attracting me to click the videos, but I ended up to buy the complete DVD of those  five seasons beyond that reason. Those series were more than just sex; it was about how to get laid with Vi*gra (ha! Kidding!) 

Well, ok. This is the real reason: I live in Germany, and in Germany  most (or all, I think) foreign series and movies on TV and Cinemas are synchronized into German. I have to admit that German synchronization are  great (not always, but mostly). Sometimes the German synchronization are even better than the original, I mean in the sense of humour, for example, the German version is funnier than the original one sometimes. But still, I like listening the original voices of  certain actors and actresses, or watching some movies in the original version of language. The second one is for a comparison and to learn more German. I have more reasons why I have to have the collection, but let’s save our bytes from elaborating more about them.   

So here I am, an Indonesian living in Germany, greeting you in English. You like cooking, huh? I do; Javanese, and Chinese cooking. I can offer you some someday when luck allows us to meet each other. Thank’s for keeping your website updated and for caring your fans. You’re nice!

Hug,

Wulan  (read: Woo-land)

Thanks, Wulan.  I’m always hoping for AMAZING!! ... but I’ll happily settle for “nice.”  ;o)

Mark writes:

Hello Scott,

I don't really have a question.  I am just a big fan of yours, and became a greater fan when QAF was no longer being shown.  I was recovering from an accident, and ordered the entire series to watch while recuperating.  I found your website by mistake, but it was a good mistake.  Thanks for all your good works....hope to see you on the screen soon.

           Mark S

Very kind of you to say, Mark and I hope you’re fully recuperated!  Keep your eyes peeled here from updates on where you can see me next.

Caludia from Austria writes (via FB):

hello scott.. thx for accept the friends request .. maybe you remember me, we met you on the elton john party two weeks ago .. the people from austria.. 

now we are back in austria and got the nice pictures from the ejaf party - which remember us about this great evening :) thx to you, peter and gale so much again for the pictures (enclosed one of them) .. it was a great pleasure to meet you guys. i send it also to peters fb 

have a great day & best wishes to you and also the best for gertie = cute pretty dog ;)

claudia

Hello, Claudia. Of course I remember you. Thank you for the lovely picture. I hope you and all your friends had fun at the party and enjoyed your time in LA.

Dana writes (via FB):

Hi Scott,

You answered one of my questions on the Q&A section of your website a couple of years ago and I just wanted to say how much it meant to me at the time - well it still does. I didn't even expect a reply so when I got the e-mail - coincidentally at school, where I tried so hard not to grin my face off and freak people out - it totally made my day haha. I'm not sure if you remember, but you gave me advice about getting into acting abroad and such. Which I am definitely sticking to now :D

You're a talented, incredible actor and I hope you all the best.

Dana

Hi, Dana! So nice to hear from you and I'm happy you're still following your dream. Hope your winter hasn't been too rough but even if it has Spring is just around the corner!

Jose from Spain writes (via FB):

First thank you so much for accepting my friendship request. Second sorry for my English... 

I’m Jose from Spain... i guess you know you have a lot of fans here in Spain... I am one of them, you are famous here now for queer as folk but it finished one year ago. I can see on your web you have worked in a lot of TV, films and theater, unfortunately here we can’t see all your jobs. What are you working on now? I think you are a really great actor, and I wish to see you at the theater.

I guess you are straight so I would like to say you thank you so much for working on Queer as folk!, I work in an association for the rights of gays and lesbian and that show means a lot to us… it helped me and a lot of young men when we realized that we are gays to know what to do or say . Here in Spain we have all the rights for gay and lesbian people since 2005 we fought for those rights really much. Last gay pride in Madrid Peter Paige was here to receive an award for his work for gay visibility. Have you ever been to Spain?

I would like to make you only one question… why finished so soon queer as folk??? Why not another season or a movie like sex and the city??

Wish you the best! And thank you again for accepting my friendship request.

Jose

Hola, Jose. Thank you for all your kind words. I have never been to Spain but would love to go someday. Peter told me he had an amazing time there and it made me quite jealous. ;o)

We only ended up doing 5 seasons of QAF mostly because our contracts expired after 5 years and it would have been too difficult for Showtime (the network that produced the show) to get everyone to sign new contracts to keep the show going. Some of the actors on the show were a little tired of playing their roles and really didn't want to continue. So that's why there hasn't been a movie either. We all had a ton of fun for 5 years but it ran it's course and it was time to say goodbye.

Hope that answers your question.

Thanks also for all the wonderful birthday wishes back in February!

Peace!

Scott

December 31, 2010

Cloe writes:

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your website. It is wonderful.  Being labor day weekend, I did labor through your updates/website. (joke)  You are so busy with your schedule. good. And there are nice letters on there. 

Just like one of the commenters, i too invited my sister to watch QAF after I became hooked. At first, she was shocked, then she wanted to know what bri, ted and emmett were doing next season. We bought all of the seasons on DVD and had marathons when she would come visit me in my town.  "good times" as she says.

I work in public accounting. (haha). the accounting humor you provided was a great stress relief.  I am glad they chose you as the Ted character for the show.  I still use or keep some of the accounting references in my mind when i am stressed out there.  (i work at a wortshafter type place).  You are my ACCOUNTING HERO.  so sorry. i know its sad.

To the future, i hope we can see you on other programs. I have your website to let us know your schedule. my sister also wants to keep up with you as well as the rest of the cast. We are not stalkers, just love the work you all did on that show. It was a great program. thank you.

good luck in the future scott. i see you have much going on. I will be looking for you on tv.  thank you so much for putting so much of yourself into the work.  we are very happy to see you on screen.

take care scott,

cloe richelle, cpa

Thanks, Cloe Richelle, CPA!  That’s the name for a new superhero if ever I heard one.  Glad I can be a hero to all accountants out there.  Now if only you can use your powers to convince the government that I don’t ever have to pay taxes again that would be great.  The cast does indeed all stay in touch and we miss each other terribly when too much time goes by between visits.

Meredith writes:

Hi Scott!

I saw on your bio that you like to cook. Do you have any favorite recipes you wouldn't mind sharing? I love trying new things!

Good luck on the new play! I can't wait to see it.

Meredith

Well, a lot of my recipes are trial and error science experiments that come about when I eat something really delicious at a restaurant and then I try to figure out how to make it at home.  So none of them are precise but here’s a simple and easy one.  Spicy wok fried garlic string beans:  Heat up oil in a wok on medium high heat (either sesame or peanut or canola - - chef’s choice).  Chop up 2 - 3 cloves of garlic very fine and toss in the heated oil.  Trim, wash and dry as many string beans as you’d like to cook up (I told you this wasn’t precise) and once the garlic is really browned toss the string beans in.  Keep tossing the string beans until they are coated in the the garlic nuggets. Cover wok leaving only a small opening and cook the beans until they start to turn a nice bright green and some even get a little singed.  Pour in about 1/4 cup soy sauce and one long squirt of asian chile paste (or to taste). Mix it all up and let it cook until the soy sauce reduces a bit. Serve immediately and know joy.

Antonella from Italy writes:

Dear Mr  Lowell, 

I am not sure my previous mail arrived you so I'm writing you 

again.. 

My name is Antonella and I am Italian so please forgive my english!!

I am a very big fan of QaF, I love it and I watched the show many times both 

in English and Italian!

I love Brian&Justin, of course, and I love Ted and Emmet!

I did not like how the show ended about Brian and Justin, there was no sense 

in that, I believe that the finale episode was completely incoherent and I 

prefer to stop watching the show at 512 episode. Better...

I sincerely think you are a very talented actor and I wish all the best

Con affetto

Antonella

Mille Grazie, Antonella!

Terry writes:

Dear Scott...

Thank you for the beautiful colored autographed picture of yourself. I just received it today and it now hangs in my office in my home alongside autograph pics of Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton, Joan Collins, Harry Hamlin, and others. You have made my day.

Take care, and I look forward to seeing you on "The Defenders" this month.

Your biggest fan, Terry

Well I’m glad to see I’m in such good company!  Glad you like it and I hope you enjoyed “The Defenders”.

Diane writes:

Dear Scott - 

My husband and I just watched Ping Pong Playa tonight.  We both enjoyed it but I found it even more funny because I watched the QAF reunion (from 2007) on DVD a few days ago and remembered you commenting that watching your dog helped you prepare for the role.   Actually watching the QAF reunion was what prompted me to watch PPP to begin with.   I now have a long list of movies and shows to watch associated with QAF actors.  I attempted to get "To live and Die in Dixie" but even though the link from your website went to the movie, I could not find a spot on there to purchase the movie.  

I became a big fan of QAF back when it was on Showtime.  I saw a majority of the episodes but missed some here and there.  I was trying to get the remainder of the episodes when they started to air on LOGO but I was convinced they were attempting to drive me nuts (As if LOGO really cares much about my mental health)  because they would have 8 episodes from season 2 and then skip to 5 episodes of season 4 and then back to season 1.   I finally caved and bought the full five season set and managed to watch them all over the course of two weeks.  After reading through your other emails on your website, I realized that this inability to get sleep in a quest to watch more QAF is not only an issue of mine.   I actually found myself sad at the end of the series.

I am a therapist with a certification in addictions and I was glad to see an accurate portrayal of how difficult it is stop using drugs and how easy it is to turn to old behaviors.   The reunion showed you in a very good light.  You were much more witty in real life than I would have guessed from your character as Ted. 

So here is my question and I am not sure if it is something you are willing to shed any light on.   Sexual orientation aside (because I truly do not think it matters that much to the question) how do actors doing sex scenes not get excited.  Body reactions are body reactions and I would suspect that despite the best mind over matter it would still be difficult.  I would find myself watching the QAF episodes and thinking "how could they not be getting excited rubbing against each other like that".   So if you are willing to answer that...great, if not I appreciate you just reading the email . 

Sincerely - 

Diane Edmond

Well, thanks for being such a big supporter of the show and all my subsequent work, Diane.  Unfortunately “...Dixie” may be hard to find as it was a small film and they may not have produced a ton of DVD’s to be sold.  As for how actors manage to not get excited during sex scenes I can only speak for myself and my experience on QAF.  You need to understand that while you are seeing two people alone getting all rubby-rubby with each other what’s actually happening is that that is a ROOMFUL of people with all sorts of mechanical equipment and lights and microphones moving about in the room during a sex scene and most of them are people you know and have worked with for some time.  On top of that most sex scenes (at least on our show) are highly choreographed out so that certain naughty bits can’t be seen.  So, given all these distractions and the amount of energy it takes to make the seen LOOK all sexy and hot the truth is the actors are so distracted by all these things that it’s very difficult for the body to have time to react.

Cathy writes:

Hi Scott,

Is that you in the inventor’s commercial?

Just curious! Big fan of your’s!!

Thanks so much,

Cathy Krepow, RN

Ummm ... no.  Inventors get commercials now?

Bobby writes:

hi scott , are you married , and are you really gay in real life , bobby blankenship

Hi, Bobby.  No is the answer to both your questions but I have one for you: are you related to the poet e.e. cummings?  You write just like him.  ;o)

Tania from Spain writes:

Hi Scott! My name is Tania , I´m from the Basque Country in Spain and I wrote you a few days ago on Twitter, do you remember the word “chispa”? ;D Thank you for the answer, you are great!

Congratulations for your fantastic website! It took a long time for me to write you these lines, but at last i made up my mind and I found some spare time to do it.

My mum, my sister and I were great fans of QAF when it was broadcasted in Spain. You can´t imagine what it meant to me. Thanks to the show I got to know a big community of fans all over Spain that used to write (and still does) in a forum and there daily we shared our points of view on QAF, we looked for new information about the show, we read and tranlate the actors´ interviews, we created games about the show... It was very funny, my first interactive adventure and an amazing experience. Even some of the people got to know each other in person and still today they arrange friends meetings. And all this thanks to this show that it´s sometimes funny, sometimes sad but it always has a very humane approach and speaks of universal themes, that´s why mostly of us heterosexual women were touched by it. All the fans in the forum were crazy when the DVDs came out, we jumped to the stores haha.

Now of course we try to keep updated with the QAF actors´ new projects.Please send our gratitude to all of them if you get the chance. I want to send a big kiss specially to the Great Dame Sharon Gless, Gale Harold, Michelle Clunie, Thea Gill, Makyla Smith, Sherry Miller, Harris Allan, Robert Gant, Peter Paige and you.

I know your career is more than QAF and  I´m VERY happy that you have several projects going on, Noise Within on stage and your apperance in the Defenders. That´s wonderful!! I love Theater and I would like to see you or Gale or Sharon on stage but I´m too far I´m afraid, unless you come to Europe or I can arrange a journey to the USA.

Well, today  7th October is my birthday, so I´ll make a wish so that I can see you on stage soon. Let´s cross fingers!!

Finally, could you tell me if  there is any way to contact Peter Paige? He was awarded this year in the Madrid LGTB Pride 2010 for his contribution to the visibility and his commitment with the  LGBT rights. He´s so sweet and tender, I love his natural manner and friendliness. Here is a video link with the words he said to us, by the way he speaks Spanish very well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-YQCnv5DK4

Good night Scott  and have sweet dreams!!

Love, Tania

I always love hearing that QAF creates communities of friends wherever it goes so thanks for sharing that with me, Tania.  As far as contacting Peter you can try looking him up on facebook and he also has his own website: http://www.peterpaige.net/

I hope you had a great birthday and that all your wishes come true.

Stephanie writes:

Dear Scott, 

Hi there! I am writing to you from Canada! Just wanted to say that I am huge fan... I am of course, like most, a HUGE QAF fan..and have been since the very begining.  I am writing to you today to find out what I can do to get the word out there that all fans are hoping for a QAF movie.  It is still such a phenomenon..new fans are starting to watch it, and old fans like me can't stop watching it.... these types of movies are IN - I believe it would be incredibly successful!  We need to see our boys (and girls) again - 5 years later..the world is ready for it!!!  

I have no idea if you will even get this email..but if you do, what can I do?  Everywhere I go, people everywhere are asking about a movie.  I already sent an email to Showtime, who knows if they will get it. And I am going to write to all of the cast members..again, I have no idea if anyone will get my emails, but I have to do SOMETHING!!!  QAF has changed the lives of millions of people, and we need some closure, silly as it may sound.... please let me know if you have any ideas for me. I can not imagine that the cast wouldn't want to do this..for some reason, a huge part of me thinks that secretly, every single one of you would want this....to be a part of history again....

Thank you so much for reading this, I appreciate it so much. And thank you for your work as Ted...wouldn't you like to see him 5 years later, a big fat fucking success..maybe married to Blake??? :)

Anyways, please take care, and again, thank you for your time!!!

Sincerely, 

Stephanie Mack

You’re not alone, Stephanie.  I hear from folks all the time that they’d like to see some kind of reunion.  I’ll be honest I really don’t know where you should start.  Showtime would be the natural place.  Maybe start some kind of online petition that you can send to them.  I’m sure if they could see the huge number of fans who would plunk down money to see us all together they might be more interested.  If you are successful could you maybe ask them to set at least part of it in Hawa’ii?  As much as I love Toronto it would be nice to be warm for SOME of the shoot.

Mia writes:

a long time ago, about late 2001, i saw you at canter's and had to stop and tell you how much i enjoyed the way you brought ted to life on qaf, and that i remembered you payday spot..... i was the mousy redhead in a flowy grey dress,,,,,i guess this note was triggered by recent feral consumption (aka : major scarfing) of said product (...well that, and editor's block/procrastination)

and now back to turning coal to diamonds.... water to wine...choose your favorite alchemic analogy.....

mia

I think I’m still burping up that meal.  Thanks for the reminder.

Paolo from Italy writes:

Hi! My name's Paolo, I'm Italian and I'm a big fan of QaF and in particular of 

your character Ted I loved so much during the entire series... your performance 

was excellent because Ted is a very insicure and sweet guy looking for love and 

self-esteem and I believe you gave the character so much humanity and 

deepness... thanks so much! I miss the show but I try to follow you through 

this blog and I hope all the best for you!

I'm also a student at Fondazione Studio

Marangoni in Florence, a school of photography. I'm fond of Terry Richardson 

works, he's an inspiration to me! So, I'd like to ask you something about a 

work of Mr Richardson we studied at school this year. It's the kiss between 

Robin and Batman and when I saw the picture the first time I thought Robin was 

Gale Harold. Just curiosity but can you tell me if  am I right? I would ask Mr 

Harold but I can't so I remembered you are close friends and maybe you can help 

me if you know the picture and tell me if Robin is him. The picture is the 

following: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27828357@N04/3508610640/

Robin looks like Mr Gale Harold, in my opinion.

Thank you in advance and please let me wish you good job and Happy New Year!

Paolo

Grazie, Paolo.  I’m sorry to say that Gale is not “Robin” in that picture ... but he does look a bit like “Rage” doesn’t he?

Hannah writes:

Hey Scott,

First of all: Thank you, you're great.

My sis and I finished watching QAF recently (not that she was very enthusiastic about it first, but then she fell for it - in the end she couldn't believe it was actually over & insisted on re-watching the whole series, which, admittedly, makes me a little proud), and we just lovelovelove Ted... um, you that is... or your interpretation of Ted... anyway, thumbs up, you did an awesome job :)

So, I wondered, what do you consider your best work? We might just take the hint and extend our movie collection ;D

Greetings from Austria,

Hannah and Lisa

Danke, Hannah and Lisa!  As far as work on film or TV I still remain proudest of the work I did on QAF to be honest with you.  Everything else pales in comparison.

I wish you all the happiest of new years and that you all find happiness, success and joy throughout 2011!

Peace!

Scott

September 3, 2010

Nicole writes:

Hi Mr. Lowell!

First off I just wanted to say that I can't believe you actually answer your fans letters on here- I think that is so awesome! I just wanted to tell you (even though I'm sure you hear this allll the time), that me and my sister are HUGE fans of QAF. It is literally our favorite show in the entire world. I started watching it earlier this year and I got crazy hooked. I then introduced it to my sister who got just as hooked as I did! We even ordered the complete series on DVD and we watch it ALL the time! Some nights we can't even go to sleep because we stay up all night watching it! lol Anyways, my sister and I are dieiinnggg for a QAF movie! Every time we watch the ending to the series we say, "They ended it this way because there is definitely going to be a movie!" lol Soo, even though I am sure you get asked this question like 100 times a day, we are dieing to know if there is any truth to the QAF movie rumors?!! If not that's okay, we still LOVE you and the show! But, we had to ask!! =)

Thank you for taking the time to answer these letters, you are the best!!

<3,

your biggest fans,

nicole & samantha

Well, first of all Nicole and Samantha, if you’ve seen as many episodes of QAF as you say you have then you’ve seen MORE than enough of me to call me Scott.  Also, as you are FAR too young to be dying I will keep you alive by answering your question.  At this point in time there are no plans for nor have there been any discussions that I am aware of about a QAF Movie I’m sorry to report.  Now go and LIVE!!! 

Mathieu from France writes:

hi

my name is mathieu, im french and i would like to say at Scott that im fan

he is a good actor

love

Mathieu

Merci, Mathieu.  It’s been wonderful to find out I am so appreciated in France!  I better work on my mime skills.

Lyn writes:

Is there an address for sending fan mail?

Just want to send you a short letter about seeing you in two television episodes and how happy I am to see you again.  I'd lost contact and didn't see you much after QAF, I'm sorry to say.  I kept watching  for you on TV. 

I know it's late in the day to see your 2008 Criminal MInds' serial killer or stalker. Your acting is, as always, excellent,  your timing superb, and the character portrayal is spot on. You're getting to be, or maybe have always been, a good character actor. Man, had no idea it was you until the very end of Criminal Minds epi and the end of Leverage epi. Change your clothes, facial hair, voice, hair style and clothing and it's hard to tell it's you being the character.

Your comic timing, wonderful, especially in Leverage. What a great bunch of characters to do a miracle story.

Looked through your photos and head shots on Imdb today. Nice, nice photography. You look great. Your eyes gather people in and your open demeanor gives the immediate impression of, "Here's a person I know or would like to get to know." Love the latest shot, if it is, of you in the sports coat, if it is, and jeans.  I so seldom see men in wonderful clothing like that.

How did your play writing go?  The one about a gay man in the thirties.  I'm sure it was yours I remember your talking about.

Wish I were closer so could see your theater work. Thanks for the essay.  I know theater is one of your passions and am so happy to see you in it.

I don't watch TV all that much because I hate sitting through commercials even though many of them are good.  Just wanted to catch Leverage and Entourage one time to see what they were like and the last few frames just before the police take your character to jail. That's when I realized it was you!!! I was so excited to see you acting again!  I love the actor who played the priest, and the Leverage players.  Funny in their own rights.  

No one I know stays up as late as I do or has a DVR to record shows.

GREAT to see you again and will make sure to follow you from now on here at Scott Lowell.com. Thanks for always being so kind to your fans and open with us.

Also, best website I've seen of  yours.  So professional and yet so inviting. Great combo for you.

Regards,

Lyn Carr

P.S.  When I work on the drawing of you from one of your headshots, I'll send it even if I do think you must get tired of that kind of thing.

Well, it seems you’ve FOUND one of the addresses for sending fan mail (and have done a good job of sending it as well) the other snail mail addresses are my agent and manager located on the “Contact” page of this website.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Lyn.  I’m glad you’ve been able to catch up on some of the things I’ve been lucky enough to get to do since QAF.  The “Leverage” cast and crew were incredibly kind and fun which I think comes across in the final product of all their episodes.

Not sure what play you are speaking about.  I did write a screenplay that takes place in the ’30’s about an actor and a mute with my writing partner Eddie Jemison ... maybe you thought “writing partner” meant something else and assumed there was a gay character in it.  ;o)  

As far as getting tired from people sending me drawings ... well ... I can’t say I’M my favorite work of art to hang on the wall ... but if the drawing makes me look kinda hunky ... well ...

I hope you have all had an amazing Summer and that the changes that Autumn brings your way will be fruitful ones.

Peace!

Scott

July 10, 2010

Herrick writes:

Dear Scott:

I recently saw the Canadian indie film "Denied", released in 2004, which featured two very fine (and talented :) Canadian actors you worked with in Showtime's Queer as Folk: Lee Rumohr and Matthew Finlason.  Perhaps you know that Lee was in Los Angeles a few years ago auditioning for television roles. I believe you did 3 episodes with him. Please tell me what it was like working with him? Have you kept in touch?

-Herrick Inman

Hey, Herrick.  I did hear from Lee now and then after the show when he was down here in LA but haven’t heard from him in a while.  I believe he met a gal and moved back up to Canadia.  Lee’s a terrific guy, very warm and funny and brave.  We had to shoot some rather ... ummm ... gymnastic sex scenes and he was SUCH a good sport about it all.  He was always more concerned with “getting it right” than with how he himself came off which is always great when you want an actor to play as big a jerk as his character was (at least initially).

Mark writes (via Facebook):

How many pounds did you have to gain for your role in season five of Queer As Folk? Was it hard to lose the weight? What did you eat to gain weight?

Mark Daniel via Facebook

Hey, Mark:  Well, that was physically tough (and near impossible) story line that the fella wrote me there.  Fortunately they did tell me about it shortly before I was going on a trip to Venice, Italy.  Now you have to understand I hadn’t eaten ANY carbs for 4 years at that point so the fact that I was now being DEMANDED to eat as much as I could before starting the season was a miracle!  So I ate every delicious thing put in front of me over there and I was in Heaven!!  Even with all that I probably only put on at most an extra 5 - 7 pounds.  Plus, part of the problem (as I explained to the Powers that Be) is that after “Ted” had his plastic surgery I had to be naked in the very next episode looking all liposuctioned and tight and ... well, I wasn’t ACTUALLY going to have that surgery so unless they were going to give me a few months off to get back in shape there was no way for me to put on as much weight as they wanted me to.  So, in the end they put a cheap fat suit that a department store Santa might wear on me and I went to a dentist who made me a device I could wear in my mouth to poof my cheeks out a bit.  In my opinion it didn’t work out too well and I’m a little embarrassed by the end result to be honest.

Jennifer writes:

Scott,

I just wanted to tell you that I am a big fan. I thought your work on Queer as Folk was amazing! I had the great pleasure of seeing you on stage in "Oliver & Hannah" your performance was so moving. I hope I get the chance to see you again. You were kind enough to pose for a picture with my mom and I and I want to thank you. 

Jennifer

Well, I’m really glad you got to see it, Jennifer.  Even though the playwright was only 19 and the play only 25 minutes it was one of the more challenging and satisfying experiences I’ve had in a long time.  It was nice to meet you afterwards as well.  Here’s some photos from the play.

Lucy writes:

Hi Scott!

Well, I'm not entirely sure what to call you- not to mean that offensively. Mr. Lowell? Scott? Scotty?

Anyways, I just have to say I am a big fan of QAF, and especially Ted!

He has always been one of my favorites I have to say, and it was so sad watching Ted hit bottom. I think I almost screamed at the screen a couple times whenever Ted started on meth again. What can I say? I get into the show.

I loved the moments between you and Gale; they were always sweet and hilarious!

I just started watching QAF this month or so, and it has to be one of my favorite shows. I have lost a lot of sleep watching the show non stop XD. I think the chemistry and bond between all the characters is amazing, and the show doesn't get the credit it deserves!

So, I was wondering. Do you still keep in touch with some of the cast members even five years after the show has ended? I think it would be cool it see that the cast members of QAF have always been friends long after the show was over (: And if you could, would you be able to tell the whole lovely cast YOU'RE AMAZING for me? From a super fan (:

I kind of sulked at the ending, with Justin leaving and everything. I like to pretend that the show ended on episode 11 of season 5, when Brian and Justin agreed to marry, but I don't really see Brian as the marrying type. I like to think that Justin's off to NYC, but they do end up meeting...up, and they still do love each other. Brian/Justin is one of the most amazing couples I have ever seen on TV. It still makes me sad to think the show ended with them apart. I also loved Ted and Blake for some odd reason; I thought they were cute together.

And I'm going all out of order and this message sounds really disorganized, but I have REALLY wanted to see you in one of your plays, and see any of the QAF cast members in their other movies and plays, but unfortunately, none of the plays are anywhere near where I live. Sweet old North Dakota. I can't exactly pack up my bags and go on a trip either, seeing as I am still in high school.

Anyways, I think this is long enough. You are a super amazing cool actor, Scott. I hope to see you in some more shows and plays soon!

~Lucy

Wow, Lucy.  Looks like they’re not giving you enough homework if you have THIS much energy to type all that.  ;o)  Thank you so much for being such a Super Fan!  The cast has indeed remained very close and we see each other whenever we can (I’m having lunch with Peter this coming Monday as a matter of fact).  Not only that but we are still in touch with most of our crew up in Toronto as well!  It was truly a family affair.  I hope you get out of North Dakota sometime and get to see not only all of us but the whole world.

lzaquirreg (via Twitter) writes:

Izaguirreg 

Hey, Scott! <3 Can I ask you a question? :) Why did you decide to play "Theodore Schmidt" at QAF? I loveee youuuu!! :D

Well, when I read the script I thought he was the most “universal character” of the bunch.  I mean straight or gay EVERYONE can relate to bad sex and “Ted” had A LOT of it.  ;o)  It’s proven true over the years that more people relate to “Ted” than any of the other characters I find ... or maybe they’re just being nice to me.  :o)

June 1, 2010

Tanja from Germany writes:

Dear Scott:

Just finished watching Ping Pong Playa. It was great fun. Loved you and Peter Paige in these funny and totally different roles than Ted and Emmet. But I prefer Ted's wardrobe and most of his hair-dos. And you? Thanks to you mentioning Orpheus Descending on your web site, I came to LA to see another cast member of QAF, Gale Harold, who was great (what else can I say not to repeat this word the whole time?), too. You all are such amazing actors and it's nice to see you in something different than QAF, which of course I still like to watch again and again on DVD. But back to PPP. Was the movie successful? It neither has been in cinemas nor available in shops here in Germany and as I was in L. A. last month, I hoped to get it. But no shop, even Amoe-something on Sunset Blvd., had it on stock, which is a shame. It's such a great movie. Another thing. I was at the Getty museum at the 11th of Feb and saw somebody, who looked like Peter Paige. Do you recognize him on the picture I send with this email? So, where is a good place in LA to run into you? As you are not on the GPS map at millions of milkshakes, you have to tell me. Maybe there is a chance to see you in a theatre next year? Of course I mean on stage and not in the audience.

Good luck with the nomination for the LA Drama Critic Awards, Love

Tanja

Well, I’m glad you enjoyed PPP however you got to see it.  We had a lot of fun making it.  It was not a HUGE success here but has done pretty well in DVD rentals I believe.  It’s a fun family film, I think.

Well, as cool looking as the woman in the blue outfit looks (I’m assuming that’s who you think is Peter) I’m afraid that’s not him.  ;o)

Kathi writes:

Hi Scott

I was watching Hal Sparks today on his live streaming show from the Stephanie Miller Radio Show in NYC and he gave a great shout out to you and your twitter site.  I am a twitter “virgin” and I know that Hal is a mega twitter-er (is that a word?).   He had a lot of great things to say about you.

Where do you fall in the twitter spectrum?  Do you twitter a lot?

Also, I am sorry that “The Pain and The Itch” did not win at the LA Drama Critics Awards, guess I can uncross my fingers now – darn it!

Thank you,

Kathi

Hey, Kathi:  yes, please uncross your fingers.  You may need them for other things ... like Twittering!  It’s all pretty new to me this Social Media stuff so I’m a Twitter Putterer I think ... A Twutterer?  I try not to write unless inspiration or some need to whore myself out strikes me. But I must admit that all the adjusting to my Facebook page and Twitter account has made me a VERY bad web site guy and I have neglected things here for far too long.  I will try to remedy that.  VERY kind of Hal to send a shout out.  He is fast becoming The King Of All Social Media.  Take THAT Howard Stern!

Jan writes:

Hey ScoTT

 i only just watched queer as folk few months ago and since then ive watched it over and over its the best show i ever seen you guys were awesome no other actors would of played those parts like you did it sucks that it finished can we have a follow up what Brian did next that guy is so hawt it is rude for me ask you get pic of him for me

Okay, Jan - - 1.) yes, it’s rude to ask me to get you a picture of someone else.  2.) I think the punctuation keys on your keyboard may be broken. 3.) You are forgiven for 1.) & 2.) just for spelling “hot” “hawt” and the other nice things you said.  That’s how easy I am.

Giovanna from Italy writes:

Hello Scott,

I write from Italy, do not speak English ... in fact I am using a translator, I hope you could understand what I'm writing ...

It 's true that you and Gale Harold are good friends?

I love the show Queer as Folk ... I learned so much from this show

is a great lesson in life ... I assure you.

I'll give you my compliments ...

Giovanna, Italy

Grazie, Giovanna.  Sto usando un programma traduttore pure. Vediamo chi è meglio! Io sono buono amici con quasi l'intero cast di QAF compresi Gale. Siamo molto fortunati di avere tra di loro e davvero è diventato una famiglia durante le riprese.

Aubrey writes:

Hello.

I was wondering if anyone in the cast or crew ever kept track how many intimate scenes each of you had? I would guess you were all under or around 10 but it would save me a lot of time (and paper) if you knew how many scenes "Brian" had with different people vs. scenes with "Justin". I am curious to know this, I am sure some of you (straight actors) have been with more "men" than "women" HAHA.

My second & more normal question is when you get together just to hang out is it at the point you no longer talk about QAF or do you still share memories or tell them about funny mail we all send you etc?

Last, do you think there was any jealousy between other cast members (ahem Hal/Michael) that the Brian & Justin story got the most hype on the show? I see a lot of people ask you questions on their storyline & that is one of the most talked about "relationships" in TV History, I wonder if it is ever bothersome for the others. I don't expect you to comment about Hal in general, I only assume from an interview that he did that he does not care too much for Gale & Randy which is a shame.

Thank you in Advance!

Aubrey

Wow.  Never got that one before.  Are you an accountant or something?  No I don’t think any of us ever kept count ... I leave that up to all the Folkers out there who seem to know (and CERTAINLY remember) more about the particulars of the show than I do after multiple multiple viewings.  There were 88 episodes, though so ... hmmm ... not sure where I stand on the women vs. men scale (or at least not that I’m willing to testify to in public).

When we all get together we definitely reminisce about our five years in Toronto filming QAF.  SO many stories and memories.  They will last us a lifetime of conversations.

In any large ensemble show there are going to be moments when you feel your character is getting shortchanged.  After so much time you become very protective of the character so I think we all had moments of “jealousy” but we also knew that the love triangle between “Brian”, “Justin” and “Michael” was central to the show and you make your peace with it. We all TRULY just wanted the show to be the best thing we could make it.

Kelly from the UK writes:

 hello,

I’m so sorry if i reached the wrong email address. [i'm new to computers..i'm 39 and my 13yr old is patiently trying to teach me basics!]

i just want to say hi to scott as i miss qaf so much. A lot of us here in the u.k are just catching up on the whole qaf series. 

it's still reaching out to loads of people..even after all these years.

it's shown me not to be afraid of who i am [even though coming 'out' now has lost me my family and all my friends] 

my 13yr old son accepts me so thats all that matters [although i'm few years single..and his friends don’t know incase of backlash for him at school]

i just wanted to say hi and thanks. i've loved every moment of qaf..and even if it seems ancient to you guys..it's still fresh for us. A lot of us still relate and will continue to.

you have to remember that what you did on qaf stays with us..because we can identify with it and know we're not alone. 

if you could pass this onto scott i'd be most grateful.

we try to follow all of you but it's so hard. especially when we don’t live in america and go fight for a ticket to see randy or gale in a play [oh god i wish! don’t have a passport for one! never have] 

or follow you scott [as simple as on twitter..my son trying to explain but it's like the off-side rule1]

i still don’t know how it works. call me old fashioned i just love writing with a pen in my hand or if i have to i'll email.

i loved ted..[i know you got sick of him] but wow. what a journey hey. 

the heart of qaf was brian and justin 

but the soul was ted, emm, debs,mel,linds and mike.

you don’t have to reply..just let me know you got this and we're thinking of you all. 

have a great summer.

love kelly xx.

Thanks so much for saying all that Kelly.  I was always worried that the UK wouldn’t take to our version of QAF since the original British version was so spectacular.  So I’m always happy to hear we’ve got a following there as well.  You’re doing JUST fine on the computer machine, Kelly so stick with it and you’ll never lose touch with what we’re all up to.