September 9, 2005
1. Looking back at the character of Ted Schmidt,which storylines did you find the most satisfying to play? Which storylines did you most object to?
Well, the most challenging and in the end most satisfying (although difficult in the process) would be dealing with "Ted's" Crystal Meth addiction. As far as which I objected most to, it was probably the stuff at the beginning of the last season (the weight gain-to plastic surgery-to being able to get any guy he wants) only because I felt it was a little out there and it was impossible for me to do physically in any kind of realistic way. That was very frustrating for me.
2. Now that QAF is over, what would have been your dream storyline for Ted?
"Ted" takes over an old family hotel in Hawaii.
3. How's Chalupa doing? Would you consider getting anymore furry friends?
Chalupa is thrilled to have a jungle to romp and play in during the days here in the hills of LA (she must come in at night due to the coyotes, however). I have thought about getting a dog ("puggles" are my latest obsession) but Chalupa is SUCH a daddy's girl that it would be too upsetting for her to have to share me. I'm a one gal guy after all.
4. I recently purchased an Oscar Wilde action figure with a removable cane. Where does that put me on the dork-meter?
Just above a guy getting some underwear that has Sigmund Freud's face on it with a special pouch in front shaped like a cigar. (those don't really exist and I hereby copyright the idea!)
5. The blooper tease in the "Saying Goodbye" special wasn't enough. Please tell us there is going to be a super long gag reel on the season five DVDs!
You know, I truly have no idea. All that stuff is handled by the network. I do believe there is some pretty good stuff on the gag reel this year, however.
6. With all the controversy in Hollywood these days over psychiatry and medication, where do you stand on the issue? How do you feel about Tom Cruise?
I believe chemical imbalances in the brain are real and if they are causing such problems in a person that they are truly unable to cope with everyday problems in their life then they should be allowed to balance themselves out. That being said, I do believe that some doctors are too quick to prescribe antidepressants, etc. before fully exploring their necessity. I also believe Tom Cruise is an ass.
7. Lots of fans had parties to watch the last episode. How did you watch the finale?
Well, we had a screening of the final episode for all the gay and lesbian employees of Warner Bros. (they handle our international distribution) on the Lot earlier in the week and that was a lot of fun. It was also Dan Lipman's birthday so Peter, Michelle, Bobby and I joined Dan and Ron and some of our writers for ribs afterwards. It was a wonderful send-off ... being with some members of the "family."
8. In the July Q&A you mentioned growing up watching and listening to great comedians like Bob Hope, the Marx Brothers...etc. Did/Do you ever watch any of the great silent comedians like Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd...etc?
Absolutely. Chaplin and Keaton are big influences of mine and in fact, in the screenplay I've been (VERY slowly) developing with my friend, Eddie, the character we're writing for me to play is a mute just so I can use some of mooch off of those geniuses.
9. Does the cast get residuals if QAF shows on LOGO, etc? And, do you all get anything from the DVDs?
Well, I really don't like to discuss business matters. It's rather gauche, don't you think? But if you were to WANT to buy a WHOLE BUNCH of QAF DVD's, especially SEASONS 2 -5, my accountant would be very happy.
10. You've said that you would be interested in another TV show somewhere down the road, as long as the material was as vibrant and daring as that of QAF. So I was wondering, what kind of challenges you will be looking for in considering any upcoming role? Acting-wise, what barriers are there that you want to break?
I would love to either find an extreme character role that I could absolutely disappear in and be almost unrecognizable or find an interesting "everyman" kind of leading man role that blends comedy and tragedy the way "Ted" did.
11. Many of us who loved Ted and Blake were perturbed that the two were not reunited sooner than the waning minutes of QAF's final episode. There have been rumors that Dean was busy and available only for the finale Was this the case and did that effect the way the Ted/Blake reunion was rushed?
Well, Dean Armstrong IS the busiest man in Canadian Show Biz on many ways but I don't think it was a schedule conflict. I really think Dan and Ron wanted to put "Ted" through the dating ringer before he reached the point of finally finding some peace by learning to love himself and his life as the end of his journey on the show. That's what was truly important for the character. The fact that once he realizes these truths "Blake" shows back up in his life is only the icing - - the moist and delicious cake is his self-love.