TV
Guide Online 22 October 1999
TV Guide: We're here with Shawnee Smith everyone.....star of the hit comedy
Becker...welcome!
Shawnee: Sorry, I'm late.
Question: What did you do on your summer hiatus?
Shawnee: I had a baby.
Question: Have you ever performed in theatre?
Shawnee: Yes. I did a play when I was 15. I did A Christmas Carol repertory
when I was a kid from 8 to 11. I did musical theatre when I was a kid. When I
was 15 I did a play with Richard Dreyfuss. Then I did To Gillian on her 37th
Birthday. I won a drama critic's award. I think I was the youngest to get it at
the time.
Question: Which co-star do you enjoy working with most?
Shawnee: LOL They're all so different. The one I get to work with the most is
probably Hattie. I mean there is a fun chemistry between all the characters. So
far I have the most stuff with Hattie.
Question: Do you spend any time with your costars of set?
Shawnee: Yeah, actually. Bob, who plays Alex, and the one who plays Jake, we
all hang out a lot.
Shawnee: I don't have fun...kidding. Hang out with my kid. Tell her to do
funny things. Hang out with friends, listen to music.
Shawnee: Richard Dreyfuss was a pretty good influence to me. He was really
encouraging. At the time, I was kind of doing everything, singing and dancing.
After that I just kind of focused on acting.
Question: Anyone on set a joker?
Shawnee: Who isn't? From everyone from the producer to the actors to the
crew. The producer at our last read through...The cast of Will and Grace got
Porsche's when the welcome them to their second season. When we got renewed we
got red plaid Boxers. Pranks go over.
Question: G'day Ms Smith, can you tell me anything about your films Lover Girl,
Tommy Rispoli & Two Cups of Joe
Shawnee: I didn't do Lover girl. What do you want to know about the other
two? Tommy Rispoli was Rob Reiner's first directorial effort. He had Bruno Kirby
and Toni Callum. I played Toni as a child. I was 9 at the time. Interestingly
enough, we didn't know that A Slipping Down Life, was directed by Toni Callum.
Bruno showed up on set and asked us if we realized that we had played the same
character. 2 cups of Joe I don't have any good stories about. I worked with
Molly Ringwald. Nothing too exciting happened.
Question: Will you be doing the Becker taping on the 9th of Nov ?
Shawnee: I'll be there. Unless there are planning a hit on me in which case
no.
Question: I would like to know, what kinds of music you listen to? --- Zoe
Shawnee: Everything from Jazz to Hard Core. Standards. Lot of English
bands...Verve, Radiohead, Bjork. Boy Hits Car.
Question: Last good movie you saw?
Shawnee: American Beauty
Question: What has the funniest moment on set been so far?
Shawnee: At our last read through. We were getting on the writers about D**k
jokes. We were commenting on the quantity of those jokes. The writers said I've
been offended by the size of my prowess. He then pulls out an 8 foot long rubber
snake. That was rather funny.
Question: Do you keep in character between takes on Becker ?
Shawnee: I guess so in a sense. Nothing conscious. I just kind of go into the
feel of her.
Question: What do you prefer...drama or comedy?
Shawnee: I like them both. I suppose my favorite thing would be the comedy of
the most dramatic moment. Or the comedy in.
Question: Who has been the biggest influence in you life?
Shawnee: My mother, my father, and my husband.
[** SECTION MISSING **]
Shawnee: Jessica Lange, Meryl Streep, Robert DeNiro. Al Pacino, Johnny Depp,
Ed Norton. Michelle Pfeiffer. That's off the top of my head.
Question: What TV shows do you watch...besides Becker that is.
Shawnee: Not much. I have a baby and a rock and roll band. That cuts out my
prime time viewing.
Question: I see you have a new band, is RB in it ?
Shawnee: Yes and Yes. Of course. It's Fydolla Oh.
TV Guide: Question: What instruments do you play?
Shawnee: I play guitar, and sing.
Question: Do you visit any of the other sets where you film?
Shawnee: We're at Paramount. We don't visit. We should take advantage of
that. We go cruise around the Soul Train set, but they're never there when we
are.
Question: Do you want to do more leads in movies or do you prefer being in a
supporting role ?
Shawnee: Obviously, I want to do leads, but I do enjoy the supporting role.
There is more character in it. Hopefully, I'll be able to bring that into lead
roles.
Question: How do you prepare for a film or TV role?
Shawnee: I don't have any real set way. Most of the time the parts I get I
have a feel for them. It just kind of develops in the wardrobe fitting, or when
I'm driving and I'm throwing it around in my mind. Then in rehearsals it evolves
and comes together. It's instinctual. Unless there is an accent, then it's
technical.
Question: Does everyone stick to the script or is there some improvisation from
time to time?
Shawnee: We screw around occasionally, but we rarely come up with anything
better than the writers. Most of the time we fail miserably. Being the
egotistical actors that we are, we keep on trying.
TV Guide: Thanks for being here and answering so many questions.....
Shawnee: Thanks for watching. And thanks for waiting for me. And thanks for
giving me people to talk to.
TV Guide: Goodnight everyone!
