Stan Kirsch
Stan Kirsh
The stage is set with a table holding a pitcher of water, and a chair. On the far left and right are the mic's for questions. I sat on the middle isle, near the back with Mistress Wanderer.
Saturday
Stan appears and begins by thanking us all for coming and saying that it's great how we all show up as,. . . "The show _is_ over you know!"
Q: Do you think that Highlander has left you typecast?
A: No, in all honesty Highlander was not mainstream, so it was not prominent enough in Hollywood to leave me typecast. But, it is hard to know producers and the business when you spend 5 years out of the country, so I am having to break into things again.
Q: (something about his recent work)
A: It's called 'The Flunkie' and is an off the wall comedy. I have the title role, but there is a large cast of characters including some of the actors from Saturday Night Live. It doesn't have a distributor yet, so it may just go to video.
Q: I think we all know what is your least favorite episode,. . .
A: Really? Which one would that be,. . .I died so many times
Q: *waits for laughter to die down* Which episode is your favorite?
A: Probably the End of Innocence and Richard Redstone. I don't know if you all liked that one *audience cheers* but I really liked the irony of which one of us got to play the James Bond type,. . .considering which one of us wants that role.
Q: What was it like to be in 'Friends'?
A: It was intimidating, but the cast was "tons of fun."
Q: How far in advance did you learn that your character was going to be immortal, and then that he was going to die?
A: I knew at the end of the first season that they were going to make Richie immortal, so that was before the summer break. I was filming Redstone when TPTB approached me about Richie loosing his head. I took it as a very flattering idea, that they thought my character was strong enough to cause the dramatic feel that they wanted. I could have said no, but I didn't, I thought it was a great idea. I did take a bit of a perverse joy in the reaction to his death though. And doing the evil entity was fun. Of course, then they called me up in Season Six, only to be 'killed by Wingfield!'
Q: What would you like to do now if you didn't have any limits?
A: You mean if I could write my own ticket?
Q: *nods*
A: I'd like to do movies like those produced in the 60's, the one's about the all American hero's, stuff like Butch Cassidy.
Q: I'm a mother, and I was reading that you have an undergrad in polysci, that your parents put you through,. . . .*audience laughs*
A: *shhhhh* my parents don't know I'm here, they think I'm a lawyer in New York. :)
Q: I just wondered what your parents thought when you decided to go into acting.
A: *scratches head* Well, my dad is a closet entertainer, and they wre really supportive. They encouraged and pushed me back when I was 21 and Ididn't know if I could make it.
Q: (shares how she was shy as a child and is more outgoing now) Are there ways in which you are dramatically different now from how you were as a kid?
A: I'm neater. I did that whole mom pick up after me as a kid to college where - oh look, there's a pizza box from August and it's Feburary,. ..but hey,. . .is that pepporoni? To now where - give me some windex *pantamimes wiping off a window*
But I was a bit of a ham as a kid, my mom says she bought a stroller for me and one for my sister, but that mine was a waste as I was always out of it talking to people. I guess I'd like to think I'm more sensible and thoughtful now.
Q: What is your next project? Are you interested in directing?
A: There's an independent film I might be working on this summer, it's in a rural setting which would be new for me. If I get in another series like this one, then I'd love to direct. Directing for TV and movies is so different, TV is more fast paced, and that suits me.
Q: What episodes were the most challenging to you as an actor?
A: That first scene with Adrian, becasut it created an undertone for our relationship that was going to last for the rest of the series. Also, the scene in the allyway in End of Innocence, it took our relationsip to another place. And the flashback with Joe, where I tell him my best friend tried to kill me, you can't throw those scenes away.
Q: Was it an adlib when Duncan tried to throw you off the bridge in Something Wicked?
A: *laughing* yes, the scream and the shreak were very real!
Q: what type of role would you like now?
A: Well, I know I'd not want to be a fruit or a vegetable, so I'll stick to human beings for now. But really,. . . .*stops to think* I'm kind of open,. . .but I don't think I could do a sexual abuser's role, that would be difficult for me.
Q:Who would you like to work with?
A: Ed Norton, Shawn Penn
Q: What scenes were challenging to you?
A: the fight scene with Adrian in Something Wicked. The energy was high and the swords kept breaking. When we were done everyone just clapped, and that didn't happen often in the series. Emotionally, the first episode was hard, as I was a nervous wreck.
Sunday
Stan had to cut his session short due to the time of his flight, and my notes are a little short as well.
Q: What is 'Season 13'?
A: It's an independent film about a blind date that's gone,. . .well,. . .not really awry, but I end up at the wrong set of apartments looking for this girl and everything's off. But that would should be out, maybe at Sundance or places like that.
Q: First,. . .I have to say that I adore you! *audience all turns at the sound of Elisabeth's voice*
Stan: *laughs* And do you have a question?
EG: Yes,. . .I was wondering, if Amanda and Richie were to have children, would they be immortal?
Stan: I don't know, I guess they'd have to keep trying until they found out!
EG: and. . .
Stan: you have another question?
EG: yeah,. . . boy or a girl?
Stan: Well,. . . two or three of both,. . .I mean,. ..we'd want to get that process down to a science.
EG: And can I have a kiss goodbye?
Stan: Come on up here.
She steps up on stage and they talk privately for a moment before she kisses him on the cheek.
Q: What is your favorite quality in Richie?
A: I thought that he had a good heart and meant well, but was painfully naïve. I often questioned why, after him being proved wrong so many times he would insist that _this_ time he'd be right, but that was the frame they had him in and it worked for the series.
Q: Yesterday you mentioned Paul Newman (the Butch Cassidy answer), and I was wondering if you've thought about playing him in a biographical work?
A: wow,. . .that would be,. . .I mean,. . .I couldn't do it justice, there's only one Paul Newman.
The Gathering 5
(created March 27, 2000)