Inside the actors studio

Jacky — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:12:41 +0000

One summer in college, my life revolved around the Bravo channel — two “West Wing” episodes in the morning, one in the evening and another at night (though I generally would only catch 75 percent of them. Hello. Summer job). When I wasn’t watching Rob Lowe be beautiful and funny, and admiring Martin Sheen’s perfectly coiffed hair, I discovered other shows on Bravo, like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and James Lipton’s “Inside the Actors Studio.” Before that I had only seen Will Ferrell mock James Lipton on “Saturday Night Live.” I had no idea how dead-on the impersonation was — the massive stack of index cards detailing everything in the guest’s life; the rhythm and inflection that Lipton uses in asking questions and making statements; the slightly ridiculous wording and analogies. It was brilliant.

I’d camp out in the basement during an “Actors Studio” marathon with pen and paper to jot down good quotes. I became so engulfed in the show that I started talking about “the craft” of acting.* People didn’t really care though. I was entranced by Angelina Jolie’s honesty, transparency and beauty. Robin Williams made me laugh so hard I cried from his spontaneity (”Baby Jesus loves you!“) And, at least for the episode, Lipton was able to keep Tom Cruise’s crazy away. Thankfully I had one friend who watched the show so I didn’t feel like such a weirdo, because most everyone else in my life had never even heard of it.

*I think my appreciation of “the craft” explains why I became so caught up in the Writers Guild strikes in fall 2007/winter 2008. I checked the website multiple times a day to find out the time and location of the next picket. Then I’d calculate whether I had time to go watch during my lunch break. Coworkers joined me a couple times and I always had my camera on hand, ready to document the celebrities. It was a famous person dream for me. I saw Seth Meyers from “SNL,” soap opera stars, actors I recognized but whose names escaped me and Ron Howard. (I was speechless.) Unfortunately, I never made it on the same days that Tina Fey, Robin Williams or Juliane Moore were picketing. While the Guild posted locations ahead of time, they never include the star lineup, much to my disappointment.

At the end of each episode, Lipton asks his guests the same 10 questions. I always looked forward to the responses and couldn’t help but constantly revise my answers too, delusionallly hoping that one day I’d be sitting across from him, answering them in person (I have no aspirations of acting or directing, so I’m not sure how I thought this would happen). Most of my answers have changed since the first few times I thought about them, but here’s where I’m at now:

What is your favorite word? For its meaning: grace. For the sound: Mesopotamia (sixth grade social studies anyone?). It’s just really fun to say.
What is your least favorite word? Retarded
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Coffee, sunshine, running, a good night’s sleep, laughter, conversations when you lose track of time
What turns you off? Inefficiency, lack of authenticity, being inconsiderate
What is your favorite curse word? WTF
What sound or noise do you love? A breeze rustling through trees
What sound or noise do you hate? Cars honking
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Dancer, largely in part to my summer obsession with the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and in no part because I actually have any talent
What profession would you not like to do? Sales
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “It’s OK.”

jacky carter » Writers Guild

Inside the actors studio