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June 27, 2002
John Spencer chatted about life as Leo McGarry
Channel 4
Chat Ed : Good evening everyone and welcome to our live chat with JOHN SPENCER, LEO McGARRY in THE WEST WING.
John Spencer : Hello everyone, I'm so happy to be communicating.
iuhg : Hey there
TomT : Hi John
open sizzameee 2k2 : hello john spencer
TomT : I love the West Wing, how did you get the part and would you arther have been the President :)
John Spencer : No. I have absolutely no desire to be the President. Actually on many occasions Martin Sheen has turned to me and said that I should play the President and he should play Leo.
Before I read the The West Wing I had decided that I didn't want to do hour drama again, you put other parts of your life on hold because the hours are so challenging. After I read it though it I said this is too good, I've got to do it. They asked me to audition, which made me furious because I had just been working with the same Producer! So it was rage that motivated me. I learnt 8 scenes to memory and decided I was going to go to California, pay for my own trip out there and blow them away! Happily it worked. After me they auditioned no more Leos and when I got home the offer was on my answer machine. So it all had a happy ending.
Patrick Hutchinson : did you get the chance to do any research in the white house?
John Spencer : After I got the role and played it for a while on our first trip to Washington to shoot exteriors we were invited to the White House. I met the real Chief of Staff and hung out in the West Wing, which was really cool.
laura : Hi John! I think the best relationship on The West Wing is between Leo and Josh. How do you see their relationship and what is Brad Whitford like to work with?
John Spencer : I see the relationship as sort of a mentoring one. I think Leo sees Josh as a younger version of himself, ie a workaholic, a person devoted to government service.
Brad is wonderful to work with. I first worked with him in 1989 on Presumed Innocent. We were definitely bonding right from the beginning. He's a terrific guy and a wonderful actor.
Charles Lockett : Have you ever met the real life Chief of Staff or even President Bush? Is he a fan!
John Spencer : I've met President Clinton, Carter and Bush. Bush professes to be a fan. I have also met several Chiefs of Staff.
SamFan : Both Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe have been known to dabble in Politics before, would you ever consider getting into the real political situation?
John Spencer : Absolutely no interest at all.
kmckenna : if you could pick out an episode that was special to you for any reason, which would it be and why?
John Spencer : It would be the Christmas episode in Season 4 which is 2 seasons ahead of you guys. It concentrates a little bit more on Leo - the man behind the job, so it gives an insight into a bit of his personal life. I enjoyed that.
Nigel : John, congratulations of your fine performances in the best drama in TV history. It seems to me that the difference between the best drama and the rest is that the best arises from the vison of a gifted writer, such as Aaron. How much difference do you think the writer makes here?
John Spencer : The writer is all important. First comes the word. As an actor the better material you start with the better your performance. Thank you Nigel for your kind words.
Michael : I thought the 9/11 special was really good, but why did you not use the events on the show but instead use the idea of terrorism as a plot?
John Spencer : Aaron Sorkin (the Producer) did not want to bring the real incident into our reality. He's very careful to keep the real political world and the political world of the West Wing as separate entities, so therefore he dealt with the concept of terrorism philosophically rather than as a specific event.
Tk : Hey John! Q: Who makes the most bloopers on set and what's the worst one you've made?
John Spencer chuckles
John Spencer : It's Martin unfortunately. It comes when he has to speak a foreign language or when he has to remember someone's name. Once he called Toby, Toble. When he can't remember CJ's name he calls her the 'tall girl'. Unfortunately Leo is so serious that he has frightened John into making no mistakes!
Kevin MacIsaac : You're a huge inspiration to those of us trying to break into the business. Could you offer any advice from your own experience of how to best get involved with a show like west wing?
John Spencer : Kevin do you want to be an actor?
Kevin MacIsaac : i'm studying at drama school in scotland right now...
John Spencer : It's such an ephemeral craft and such a difficult business that unfortunately unless it is your dream I would advise you to do anything else in life. However, if you can't live without it, like doing without food anyway, anything that you can do and anytime anyone says come act, no matter the project, no matter the salary - you jump at the chance. Hopefully, someday, it adds up.
Titan : How long does it take to film one episode?
John Spencer : 8 work days, 10 calendar days and we never finish on time.
laura : You are a gret dramatic actor, but I think your comic ability is underused. Some of the most hilarious scenes in the show involve Leo and Margaret.
John Spencer : Ah! I love playing comedy. But, I believe that one approaches comedy in the same way you would approach drama, the best is the most truthful.
Charles Lockett : how realistic is the your set compared to the real West Wing?
Potus : Do you have a studio which is totally identical to the actual White House?
John Spencer : Our entire West Wing set is built in one studio. Unlike most sets it contains 4 walls to every room and a ceiling. The Oval office was identical down to the paintings on the wall and upholstery on the furniture of President Clinton's Oval office.
Tracy : I love all the characrters on the show - they are all amazingly well written and acted. Who's your favourite?
John Spencer : Like the good father that Leo tends to be, he would never favour one child over another. My favourite character is the President who I serve at the pleasure of.
cchallis : Will the president illness come back to haunt him in the future, and how will the series deal with it?
John Spencer : Yes it will and I won't tell!
Patrick Hutchinson : Wouid you not like the power that Leo has just for one day and if you did what would be the first thing you would try to have changed?
John Spencer : That power would intimidate me. I am content to leave the problems of the world at the gates of Warner Bros.
Kaile : I speak to a bunch of people online, and we've made this list called 'You know your a WingNut when....'. does that kind of stuff freak you out, or do you laugh when you see it?
John Spencer : I appreciate it. I laugh. And I'm very complimented and touched.
Li : Do you think that the writers dumb down the female characters, and why is it that C.J. is always left out big discussions?
WWFan : Donna is not dumb, long live Donna!
John Spencer : No I don't. I do think the world of the West Wing at times is a Boys Club and CJ is only left out when we think she can't emotionally handle something and be objective. I sincerely believe that Leo is rougher on CJ than he is on the boys.
Michael : The show seems very pro-democrat, has a more conservative America affected the show in any way? (PS Love the show!)
John Spencer : Thank you Michael. It is a Democratic Liberal administration, the real administration does not affect our fictional presidency.
Big_Fan_16 : the shwo is brilliant, it must be great to be a part of it
John Spencer : It's thrilling to be a part of something that has such quality. I feel blessed to have this writing.
Potus : John, will we get to see you back in our cinemas soon?
John Spencer : I find it difficult to fit many other jobs into this schedule. I'm hoping to do a play in London next summer.
Chat Ed : We've come to the end of our time with John now, sadly, so here's the last question. A real poser it is too...
Dasiy : What are you going to do with the Richard and Judy life sized posters?
John Spencer : I'm going to sneak them into the Oval and try to take a picture.
Chat Ed : Excellent! Thanks so much John for being with us we really enjoyed it.
Big_Fan_16 : byeee, keep up the good work
kmckenna : nice talking to u John. GREAT SHOW!
Nigel : Thanks John, good luck in the future!
iuhg : Bye John! Thanks for talking to us.
Kevin MacIsaac : good advice too-thanks
John Spencer : It's thrilling to get such positive feedback and I greatly appreciate it. It was great talking one-on-one.
Paddy : We appreciate you. You deserve it
Tracy : Leo rocks!
Charles Lockett : absolutely brilliant
Kaile : that was the coolest thing I have ever done!
John Spencer leaves the room
Posted by MorganG at June 27, 2002 01:24 PM