What is it about Tommy Lee Jones that makes him unpopular among the press?
I am being charitable when I explain Tommy Lee Jones' GQ as having the same origin as Godunov's. More likely, he loathes the junket process and chooses to demonstrate his disdain by correcting and demeaning and arguing with journalists at every opportunity. Part of the pretense of the interview scene is that actor and press are chatting amiably in someone's living room. TLJ refuses to play that game, which would earn him a degree of respect if it weren't both of our jobs to be there. But he's a big enough star - he won an Oscar after all. He could probably refuse. So why does he participate in the process? A friend of mine once asked Wilford Brimley at a Cocoon junket why he was there, because he was being so uncooperative, and he said, "Now that you mention it, I don't know," and stood up and walked out of the hotel.
What was the best interview, and I'll let you choose how to define best?
Back to Tom Hanks on this one. Because of the nature of the interview dynamic, the best are usually the actors and directors who are either devilishly smart or have a natural charisma – and most of them do, which is what makes them instantly appealing to audiences. They are the ones who leave you feeling you’ve had a good interview. But even they have to be willing to drop their guard or turn on their personalities in order to create the illusion that they’re dropping their guard. Some of the “best” interviews I’d have had have been with directors -- Mike Nichols, Rob Reiner, Martin Scorsese -- or actors, like Robin Williams, who are so entertaining you just want to take them home with you. Then there are people you admire, like Meryl Streep or Edward Norton. You feel you should kneel in their presence. Occasionally you have an unaccountably fantastic interview with someone no one can pull anything out of, and when it’s over, your colleagues are scratching their heads, wondering what in the world they can use from their interviews, and you say, “Oh really? He told me all about his first sexual encounter.”
Did you have any control over what films you had to review?
Article comments
1 - Gordon L Hauptfleisch
Highly entertaining and enjoyable interview, Scott. Looking forward to Part Two.
2 - Scott Butki
Thanks, Gordon
3 - Scott Butki
And we STILL need to get the answer to the giraffe question.
4 - Lizbeth Hanson
What a great interview! She is really interesting and fun... you ask great questions (and you two seem to have a good repartee)... you should have her as a regular guest or something! (Just discovered your column because this was posted on Digg and have an idea for you: It might be cool to have a picture of the people you interview, in addition to their book cover, if that's possible.) I'm looking forward to reading the second part next week!
5 - Scott Butki
Thanks for the compliment.
I figure we get the book cover via the Amazon ad.
I'd be up for adding a photo of the person interviewed, especially if the editors agree that is a good idea.
Meanwhile we have an update on the giraffe issue, namely this article.
I'm going to email the person quoted and ask him to come quick.
6 - Scott Butki
I may have just proven Halle Berry wrong.
According to The Living Desert Web site,
"Giraffes are water efficient because they do not sweat or pant."
7 - Ally from Orlando
When is the next part of this interview being posted? It is very interesting.
8 - Scott Butki
Within the next week.
I am glad you liked it.
9 - Scott Butki
I'm writing about part 2 tonite. It should be published within the next 24 hours if all goes right.
10 - Scott Butki
The first part has been published here.
11 - Wes
Cool insider's view on celebrities and the interview process. Quick correction: In your last posting, I think you meant the second part (not first part). I only point that out because I was looking for the second part and couldn't find where it was posted... others may have a similar difficulty. Thanks for the interesting interviews.
12 - Scott Butki
You're welcome. Thanks for the correction.