April 21, 2008
April, spring … and another blog.
Spring is my favorite time of year. I explain why in my book Inside Inside:
I confess that I am hugely fond of beginnings and, by logical inference, averse to endings. I don’t know whether this makes me an optimist or a pessimist, but I’ve long since reconciled myself to the fact that it’s there and it’s never going to go away.
April may be the cruelest month to Eliot, but to me it’s the kindest, with its portents of spring, which is crammed with beginnings. Of holidays, I enjoy Memorial Day because it officially begins the pleasant summer season, and dislike Labor Day because it ends it. Thanksgiving is welcome because it begins the Christmas season, of which I confess to being inordinately fond, and I’m resistant to the compulsory joy of New Year’s Eve, because it ends it.
This affection for beginnings has had a predictable effect on my preferences. Though I should know better than to invite comparison with my betters as I begin my own literary effort, I confess to unbridled admiration for the blunt simplicity of “Call me Ishmael”; the instant dramatic engagement of “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”; the authorial certainty of “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”; the ringing challenge of Donne’s “Go and catch a falling star,/Get with child a mandrake root”; the quiet fury of Yeats’ “Turning and turning in the widening gyre/The falcon cannot hear the falconer;/Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;” the stately opening chords of Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, which greet us not with the C-major tonic but with a submediant A minor chord, as if the boat had left the dock without us, and we had no choice but to jump in and swim after it; the ominous minor key (verbally and musically) of Irving Berlin’s “There may be trouble ahead,” before he shifts jubilantly to a major key for “Let’s face the music and dance!”
Comments
alejandra wrote:
Dear Mr Lipton, I'm writing from Buenos aires, Argentina.
I found this last post especially warm, since you talk about your wife. And you are right! How many wives have killed Mr Body in the library with the candlestick? Only yours, and I agree: she is beautiful. Too bad she's against tatooes... but tell her that so am I!
On a different note, I have a small question to ask: I read on IMDB.com that, when the Actors Studio show started, the most wanted guest by the audience was Gary Oldman. Being a huge fan of Mr Oldman's, I have to ask: why hasn't he been interviewed by you?
Best wishes from Buenos Aires!
posted on April 23, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Kate Lacy wrote:
Good Morning James.
As a person of your generation, I am anxious to hear the lineup for the next Actors Studio season. One can watch reruns just so long. We must have protein with the cake.
I've found the blog quite by accident, foraging around for a new season announcement, and enjoyed Miss Scarlett's tale.
How nice that you are not simply grandstanding on this or that. I wish you a busy, but not too "interesting" week.
Kate Lacy
posted on April 27, 2008 at 9:06 AM
Linda wrote:
First, a complaint. Why isn't Inside the Actor's Studio shown regularly on Bravo. For years I was unable to receive Bravo. Then I was able to for a few. Just as I was used to the routine of sitting down at 8 p.m. on Sunday evenings, the show becomes a movable feast. The older shows could be shown for those of us who missed or forgotten them.
Secondly, why, oh why would you want a tatoo? Thanks heavens your wife understands the beauty of the (your) body as God made it.
posted on April 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Kyisha Thompson wrote:
It's always nice to know a man can show he's still crazy-in-love with his wife without being obnoxious. And kudos to you, Mr Lipton, for maintaining your eloquent voice when the order ofthe day seems to be mangling the language in any way possible.
posted on April 27, 2008 at 4:35 PM
suzanne hinckley wrote:
when can we expect new shows
posted on April 27, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Lynn wrote:
I'm on a roll tonight, your enthusiasm for your literary endeavor was the "third crow", as they say, of the evening. The first was a friend who finding me lifeless, suggested I check some of my favorite blogs, hopefully finding a little inspiration. The second crow; I came upon "Caliban's Island" the blog written by a young man named Evan Quinlan. Primarily about Shakespeare and how his works relate to everyday life, it's well written and always thought provoking. I always find myself renewed by what I read here: http://us.f555.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Inbox&Mid=8170_25622654_7339921_1811_4391_0_32707_12908_1055555457
Something in this blog made me think of you, and a few moments of investigation led me to your blog. Life is good! Now I'm sated and ready to write. Thank you two gentlemen for the leg up.
posted on April 29, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Fran wrote:
Oops! I think I added what I did to an old post! (not to say it wasn't fascinating but still!) I'm trying to add this to something recent.
Mr Lipton: Inside the Actor's Studio needs to have YOU interviewed.
Yes indeedie.
Can you make that happen?!! :)
posted on April 30, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Rose Mary Dumenigo wrote:
Mr. Lipton,
I am a huge fan of the spring too. As a film lover, I connect certain movie with certain seasons. Movies I watch every spring are Brigadoon, Enchanted April, and A Room with a View. I think it has to do with the beautiful scenes and flowers that are so vivid to me.
I must say that I LOVE the Actors' Studio, because I love learning about the acting process. I'm not in the creative arts, but I appreciate the richness that films bring to our lives. I would like to suggest my favorite actor as a future guest, and that is Colin Firth. His acting range is wide, and I think you will be surprised to see some of his unique choices. He also had an interesting life. As the child of professors and missionaries, he moved around a lot during his childhood. This is a pattern that you have already noticed in several of the actors that you have already interviewed, for example Tom Cruise. I think he would be a great guest, and he has a very large following of fans, including myself. PS: I would love to be there when you interview him, if at all possible. Thank you again for a wonderful show.
posted on May 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Kristen wrote:
Thank you mr. lipton for playing Robert Downey jr.'s Inside the Actors Studio. I have loved his work long before Iron Man. I'm so happy for him to finally get something this big for his acting ability is so amazing...anyone that can play charlie chaplin and also in Heart And Souls go from a regular guy to a black woman to a southern woman and a greaser his awesome.
I'm lookin forward to new episodes
posted on May 26, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Jeff Sandy wrote:
Hey Jim When is the show comming back in the fall?? The best show I know that is not talked about is Farscape on ScFi channel it is Great can you check them out??
posted on May 30, 2008 at 3:18 PM
flashymom wrote:
Wow! You're married to Miss Scarlett? Do you have any idea how many red-blooded men are cursing you right now for that? ha, ha!
I like your show, and I have a request for a guest: Vincent D'Onofrio. The man has a resume longer than most actors in the business today; he's a chameleon in the same realm of Dustin Hoffman and Harrison Ford, and is one of the most underated actors in all of the industry today. Mr. D'Onfrio once stated in an interview that he thinks the reason he has not been on your show is that you don't like him. Not like him? Please, say it isn't so, and have him in your studio.
Sincerely yours,
A devoted fan (of VDO, LOCI and IAS)
posted on June 2, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Tasha wrote:
Ya know what we need ?? Vincent D'onofrio on inside the actors studio he is such a amazing man and crazy talented !
posted on June 2, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Susan Mitchell wrote:
Agree with Ms. Dumenigo. Would love to see you invite Colin Firth onto your program. Firth is a wonderful character actor with a broad range and long career. Although he is well known for his Mr. Darcy, and has been known of late as a leading man in romantic comedies, he is also beloved among his fans for his more serious roles in productions such as Another Country, Lost Empires, Valmont, Apartment Zero, and A Month in the Country, among many others. Although one gets the sense that he is a bit weary of discussing Mr. Darcy's wet shirt, Firth is an intelligent and insightful actor who has an interesting personal story and humanitarian interests.
posted on June 13, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Scott Austin wrote:
Mr. Lipton:
I watched this morning an unforgettable performance by two great actors, Robin Williams, and you. I will probably never meet you in person, so I will take this brief opportunity to thank you for your stellar performance at providing a foundation and lighthouse to let his comedic genius shine for our entertainment. You brought out so many dimensions of a supremely complex and gifted individual where other interviewers barely scratch the surface. You captured so much about him and how he has honed his acting talent, of his compassion for his family from his mother to his children and gave him the chance to share what he truly believes is the purpose of his creative spirit; wonderfully probed, encouraged and developed thanks to your thoughtful questsions. The entertainment interview is a greatly under-appreciated genre and presents unique challenges. You set the standard.
I can't wait to read your book and for this interview's DVD to come out.
I have only one request and I am new to the show, so perhaps you have already interviewed him: Jeremy Irons - especially a little known performance he gave with Tony Hopkins in "A Chorus of Disapproval". Seeing them put on a small town musical (with Hopkins as the Director) is wonderful. Are british actors included in your lineup?
Scott
posted on June 15, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Michelle K. Danielian wrote:
Mr. Lipton, I have been a fan of Inside The Actors studio from the first episode and have always respected the amount of work I assumed went into it's production. I finished Inside Inside a few weeks ago, I completely devoured it. I am an avid reader, of all genres, and I say honestly that it is one of the most fabulous books I have ever had the occasion to read. I know this is true as it pops into my consciousness quite often and has prompted me to find a forum which I could (possibly) convey this to you. You have made quite an impression on me! I now have the utmost respect for you not only as an interviewer which sadly is all I knew of you, but also as a human being. Not to say the two are separate, of course (some of us are not as eloquent as yourself)!! The care expressed in your book towards your craft and the craft of others is palatable. The warmth that exudes from the pages when you write about your personal relationships, especially toward your wife and mother, are endearing to say the least and easily show what kind of person you are. Open minded, adventurous and kind. You have a true fan and admirer in me.
Kind regards,
Michelle
Ferndale, Michigan
Ps. To answer the question posed in your book: Yes, they still have volunteer ushers at The Fisher and Masonic. I have been lucky enough to substitute as one a few times! Unlike you though, I was terrible at it :)
posted on June 16, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Kathy Cross wrote:
Dear Mr. Lipton,
I am a big fan of actors studio and I just found this blog. I new your beautiful wife was miss scarlet and I have seen her give you a disapproving look everytime you talk about getting a tattoo. I think everyone should have one tattoo. I resently got my first and I am 47. Tell her you will get a small heart on your shoulder with her name accross it. How can she tell you no then. Someday I hope we hear you finally got one.
Also, I would really like to see Johnny Depp back on actors studio. The last time was before the three pirates movies. He has grown as an actor since then. I think he has finally become more comfortable with celebrity. Please try to get him back on again.
Thanks,
Kathy
posted on June 16, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Page Daniels wrote:
Dear Mr. Lipton,
I have been a big fan for a while now. I try not to miss a show if I can help it. I do have questions about the school that attends your show. Not for attending purposes, which would be wonderful, but for feed back purposes. Do you pick your audience and are all of them attending the college? or can you be a mere admirer? I have always been facinated by how you question the actors and how you choose them. I am an actor myself, but I am using it in a broad term. I have been in many plays in high school and some community plays since, but have recently moved to london, England. I wondered if you knew of any place that welcomed american actors in england? I have just moved and would like to get back into some kind of acting, even if it's small, just to be onstage is my goal. I miss it so much. I would love to hear if there are great schools or theatres that you would recommend to me.
Thank you for your show. It makes me want to be an actor every time I watch it and feel that joy again. So, thank you and I will continue to be a faithful viewer.
posted on June 20, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Tom P wrote:
I watched the second Tom Hanks show tonight. Of course it is a celebration of work and craft.
I can't tell you what it has meant to watch the show and it's development. I have no wish to be an actor, but I am a writer. I find I understand my own art better through theirs.
It occurred to me that a very interesting show could be made from an interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. As someone who knew nothing and learned to work a step at a time he might inform us differently then those who studied more formally.
His current gig is due to expire. I expect he may soon be available!
Tom P
posted on June 23, 2008 at 1:56 AM