March 17, 2008
Once again, my thanks to those of you who have taken the time to respond to my blog.
It’s great to be back on stage with Inside the Actors Studio. Last week Brooke Shields joined us with some startling revelations as we shot our first show since the end of the strike, and you’ll be seeing it soon.
The subject of this new blog is acting, for an odd and interesting reason: With increasing frequency, I’m being invited to revisit the profession with which I began my career.
This unexpected development started with Conan O’Brien. My first appearance on his show was as a guest, to talk about an upcoming episode of Inside the Actors Studio. Apparently, Conan felt that we were compatible, so he invited me back -- not as a guest but as a kind of ex-officio cast member, to perform a comedy sketch with him.
The call from Conan’s show always begins the same way: “Hey, we’ve got an idea!” On two occasions it involved reciting Kevin Federline’s latest rap. On other occasions I solemnly read one of his audience’s blogs; shotgunned beer during Spring Break week; wept, as one of his audience members read Romeo in the balcony scene; reprised the beer bit with a bong; and appeared as ten characters, from Einstein to Princess Leia, in his New Year’s Eve countdown, to name only a few of the pleasant lunacies for which I was summoned.
Comments
April Adare wrote:
I'm excited to be the first to comment!!! I would first love to ramble...then comment on this particular blog so I apologize ahead of time for writing so much.
Ok...past that...I love your show and the insight that one can gain into the lives of people who often start to seem unreal after so much time in the spotlight. I love the ending when they are asked their favorite curse word. I don't often curse, but Matt Dillon had the best when he said that his word (I remember what it is but don't feel I need to put it in print) could even just take up space until you could remember what to say.
Enough about my love of your show...Although I missed the episode of you dancing with the manatee I quickly found the video online and started cracking up. How funny! I think Conan chose wisely in bringing you into so many roles on his show. The Geico commercial with you in it completely took me by surprise, but it is one of my favorites!!
Thank you for wonderful entertainment!!!
April
posted on March 18, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Jennie Christian wrote:
This is hysterical, and you are so deserving of this second surge in your career. I love "Inside the Actor's Studio" and would like to see more of your two hour specials so we can really get to the heart of some of these men and women who have entertained us for so many happy hours. Thank you for your hard work and your time.
By the way, each week when I answer the questionnaire, my answers sometimes change. Is that a bad thing? :)
posted on March 21, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Debra wrote:
I was wondering if you have ever had Brad Pitt in the studio. I watch the show all the time, but do not recall ever seeing him. I did see Angelina. It would be great to have him as well. hint, hint
posted on March 25, 2008 at 2:32 PM
L Kelly wrote:
James I love the show and was seeking to see if you ever had done an interview with Peter O'Toole. Your work is such high quality and well researched and presented. To follow with your theme of acting I seem to recall in some interview that Peter O'Toole had a number of savvy comments and truisms. But it was not to be.
The BravoTv website is very frustrating as it was not designed or developed to be audience focused.
Are more videos going to be available for purchase? Even better, I would prefer to download. Are you aware that it takes six clicks to go from your webpage to actor's studio section of the store. Most of the audience would have given up and it is most likely affecting your revenue.
James, if there is anything you can do to fix this, you must. I have also provided more detailed information in an email to your webmaster informing them that the site is buggy, cluttered and difficult to use.
Good luck with the rest of the season
posted on March 25, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Dakoola wrote:
I am a huge Mos Def fan. He is a multi-talented actor/rapper/televison hosts (Hbo's Def Poetry). I'm so impressed by his body of work. Can you find the time to interview him on the actors studio?
posted on March 30, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Jen wrote:
This is one of my all time favorite shows. It is always so fun to hear the stories behind the roles/movies/actors. And while I love all of the people you've had on so far, there is still one that I am DYING to see and as far as I know, you haven't had on as a guest.....Adam Sandler. I think he is hysterical and am curious to know the stories behind his movies (like why he named both the walrus in 50 Dates and his daughter in Spanglish, "Bernice".) Anyways, keep up the good work!!
posted on March 31, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Jenny wrote:
Mr. Lipton,
I'm currently reading your new book, Inside Inside, and literally can't put it down. My jaw drops at the endless surreal experiences and lives of which you've crossed paths. You are the Forrest Gump of the entertainment industry! Help me: how do I pronounce your wife's name? Every time I read it I'm distracted as I change the pronunciation in my head. I've never acted and never considered it but after reading your book, I believe I've ignored the creative part of myself and vow to start paying more attention to it. Thank you!
posted on April 1, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Richard S. Garrison wrote:
Mr. Lipton, I just finished "Inside Inside", and turning the last page filled me with a sadness like the death of a freind. I haven't even considered some of the things you brought up in this book; How many jobs an actor applies for in a years time, and just how much we have to thank you for in normalizing relations around the world. I really hope you'll consider making a signed copy of this book available for sale. I look forward to seeing you and many of the entertainment community on Bravo for a long time to come.
Thank you Sir,
Richard S. Garrison
posted on April 3, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Debbie wrote:
James,
Love the show. I wish you would invite Viggo Mortensen to be a guest. He's such an incredible actor and now with an Oscar nomination under his belt (long overdue and well deserved) I think he'd be a great guest. He's an accomplished poet, painter, photographer, etc. A true artist and renaissance man.
posted on April 9, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Mani Aulakh wrote:
Hi, I am Mani...and I just wanted to say I love your show...I was wondering if you ever had Jackie Chan on your show?...If not, could you have him on...THX again for the entertainment....
Big fan....Mani
posted on April 16, 2008 at 1:58 AM
Ginny Ledegang wrote:
I miss your more frequent Inside the Actors' Studio programs. I remember when you played Dick to your wife Kathy on the soaps- If I remember correctly, you were a doctor- but for the life of me, I can't remember your last name. I love your diction and your tone of voice. Look forward to more Studio shows.
"An Old-Timer"
posted on April 20, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Jessica D wrote:
I concur with Debbie's comment, not only do I also love the show, but strongly agree that you should consider having Viggo Mortensen as a guest.
posted on April 30, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Shawn Graves wrote:
I love your show. Listening to actors that I love (and sometimes ones I don't love so much) talk about their personal lives as well as their work is fascinating to me.
I don't know if you take suggestions, but one person I haven't seen on your show and would love to see is Vincent D'Onofrio. I think he is the most amazing actor out there. The variety of roles he has done is astounding. From a very scary, noseless drug dealer in The Salton Sea to a goofy, sweet time-traveler in Happy Accidents. In interviews, he seems to be extremely shy about his personal life, but when he starts talking about his work, he lights up. The commentaries he has done on a few of his films are intriguing.
Thank you! And I look forward to more seeing more and more actors baring their souls to you.
posted on June 2, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Michael McQuown wrote:
What a hoot! As a former FSU theatre student, I'm bowled over. Obviously the Seminoles, although probably well-meant, would have to go to dispose of the unfortunate 'Sammy Seminoole' mascot. But a manataa? The poor things are always getting run over by boats!
posted on September 15, 2008 at 3:28 PM