E!online Chat
How hard was it to keep your legs shaved for Twin Peaks?
Um, I used Nair..and I had never used Nair before. The night before, I was showing up for work and it was given to me by the make-up lady. And I put the Nair on my legs and waited a few minutes, like they say to, and I wiped it with a towel. And it was the most disgusting thing I've ever seen. It was like, um, it was like after you, uh, shampoo a mangy dog maybe and towel it dry.
[2nd typist begins another question] Um, I'm watchin' her...[To 1st typist:] And then at the end just say "quite sexy really."
[To 2nd typist] Ok, over here...Did what?
Did doing Playing God get you interested in medicine?
Welllll, um, not real medicine, because that actually takes hard work and education. And, if you've forgotten, I'm an actor. Um...But, uh, I was interested in watching good
professionals execute their profession. And that was the most interesting thing about that research...And that's the most interesting thing about any profession, is watching competent people do it.
[To typist:] Put a typo in right there...
Are you planning to do any theatre?
Yeah, in Showworld down on Times Square.
If your house was on fire, and you could only save three things, what would they be? (Assuming Blue could get out on her own.)
Megan, you alarmist! I'd get my wife (assuming she didn't ride out on Blue), her dog, George (assuming both of them didn't hop up on George and ride him out). And, uh, I dunno, that's it, that's all the living things. Anything else that was alive in there at that point. Except the strange thing is, I don't know why I'm trying so hard to save the house because I don't own one. It's a rental; I'd just let it burn.
What was your favorite aspect of college?
[pause] I think it was after...after I couldn't play basketball and baseball anymore, and I was forced to find something else to fall in love with-- take my studies more seriously, take a certain girl more seriously. I fell in love for the first time, I think..Um..Really it was
nothing to do with Princeton. It was all just chance and luck. It happened at college not because of college, really.
I'm 14. How were you at this age?
[laughs] When I was 14.... Um, fourteen is reallyhard. I remember it as being hard. You're just kinda...You're going through puberty. Uh, your feet and your nose are growing. Uh...you've got pimples... Hang on a second, I'm talking about myself here not...what's her name? [typist:"Ellen Verpooten"]...Not Ellen.
Hopefully Ellen's having a better time of it. Um...you're not a boy, not a man; it's hard. But, uh...it gets better, by the time you're almost 40.
[Correcting typist:] No, you're not a boy, not a man. [mumbles:] Not a boy, not a man. You're in-between.
You've said that you believe in karma and that the most noble thing in life is to live
without having an effect on the world at all. What does that mean?
Well, first of all, sometimes you're asked so many questions; and you don't even understand your own answers. I think it means, uh, it means pretty much what I said. Which is that we...we believe in the Western world, which is good works and bad works.
You know, you're supposed to balance out your bad works with your good works. But there's a certain way of thinking that is to leave the world exactly as you found it. And that's, you know, not to have any effect at all. And, uh...that's kind of foreign to our
thinking, which is probably why she's confused by it. As am I.
Who'd you root for in the Stanley Cup Finals, New York or Vancouver?
[Typist: "Careful"] Um, not really a hockey fan...but the first series I'll watch..
Has there been any decision yet on whether or not The X-Files will move down to L.A. next year?
Um...Not that I know of. I'm moving to L.A. next year--they can come join me if they want.
[Corrects typist:] No, not "you"--"they." [laughs] Very different. I gotta keep my eye on you two...
How did it feel to come back to NYC, have the premiere and have crowds of fans cheering for you in your home town? (Saw Playing God's premiere. It was terrific!)
Oh, it was terrific! Thanks!, thanks for saying it was terrific.
[To typist:]Um, can we respond to her?
[Typist: "Sure"] So she was there? Oh.
Um, it was great; but it was strange just because...I grew up there and I'm used to walking down streets without being hassled. And I have so many memories all through the city. Then, to walk into a theater and have people screaming my name is, uh, is--is a bit strange, really. And, uh...you kinda--I kinda
found myself sitting at home--sitting at a hotel actually, later; and just winding down I think I had to take four baths that day. That's how tense I was.
Do you have a favorite band? If so, who?
[sigh] Gee...favourite band? I guess the Stones. That's kind of boring. Kind of boring, huh? On Conan O'Brien the other day, there was a great band. What was that band's name? Like Bill Bradley and the Blackwater Experience? No, it was like John Bradley or Ed Bradley . It was like somebody Bradley and the Sweetwater or the Blackwater Experience. And they were, this guy...they had a blind singer who was amazing. And I got a free CD, so I'm a big fan.
Are you and Tea planning?
[Typist: Do you want this question?] Huh? [This one] Which one is that? "Are you and Tea
planning?" Is that planning a family?
Sometime, yeah. Nothing specific right now.
Have you thought about publishing some of your writing or your poetry?
Yeah, I've actually.--actually, over the last couple of weeks, I've been looking for a project
to do in the trailer while I'm waiting in between shots; which is a pretty considerable amount of time. And I thought about collecting all the stuff I've written over the years, since I've been writing and maybe trying to put them together in some kind of a--a book,
maybe. But I'm a little leery of publishing of a celebrity. And I don't want to like, you
know, take advantage of that. And I don't want to be slaughtered because of that. So, maybe I'll just write another book on couplehood.
Do you think you are a sex symbol? How does it feel to be one?
[To typist:] She asked, Do I think I'm a sex symbol? Well, if I say no then I don't have to answer the second part. [Typist: "True. Is that your answer?"] Um...It's like...How am I gonna describe that?
It's like, um, something for other people. It doesn't really affect me. It's like getting your hair dyed-- it looks like that's the colour, but it's not your real hair colour.
[To typist:] You think the girl's gonna get that?]
Was that nutty letter you read on the Late Show real, or did you make it up?
It was real. It was real. And, uh, and it was just beautiful that I could find it. 'Cause I don't really read that much mail anymore, and I just happened to have some time off and I was just idly flipping through my assistant's desk and I found that letter. And I thought
"that's funny." It was funny. [Typist: "Hysterical"]
Where was Playing God filmed, and how did it interact with your X-Files schedule?
[Curiously to typist, referring to how the question was typed:] Is it starred out there because you're not allowed to write the name of the Lord? [Typist: That's
how some people feel]
It was filmed in L.A., and I shot it, I think, in six weeks; when I had eight weeks off from The X-Files last year.
What are you going to be for Halloween?
Asleep.
How is married life?
Fantabulous!
[To typist:] Now we go to the one-word answers. [Typist: "I love those."]
Tell me why your movie is better to see than others that are opening on October 18.
Many reasons. Um, it's a little guy. It's not a...It's not a blockbuster film. Um, it'snot like...uh, it's not like Batman and it's not like The...whatever, I think there's a Pacino/Keanu Reeves movie coming out. [Typist: "Devil's Advocate"] Devil's Advocate, this week.
It's not...Our movie is smaller. Our movie is like The Little Engine That Could. I would like people to support it as an underdog. It's kind of...unique in that way, so. It's a great story and I think it's different from just about any movie that I've seen in the last two or
three years. So, I think I would like movies--the movies that are made a little bit outside the system to be supported, even though it's Disney, and Take that out, they didn't make it. And the other reason is Just put that I like it The other reason is that I'm in it and want to keep making movies. So pleeeeeeease, or else I'll quit X-Files if you don't go see my movie. [laughs]
From Jerome_Kersey: Why were you so mean to Big Tad on the Kevin and Bean show on KROQ, in L.A.?
[To typist:] Jerome Kersey, the basketball player?! [Typist: "I don't think it's really, I think someone is taking the name"] Huh.
I wasn't. That was all tongue-in-cheek. And I was kinda--Tad and I were playing along. And uh, I think Tad is very funny!
From Beccaelizabeth: What is your favorite word?
[To typist:] Word?? [Typist: Uh-huh] [laughs] ...Beccaelizabeth? I just talked to her today! She called, uh, she called, uh... [Typist: "Kevin and Bean?"] Yeah! [Typist: "That was her?"] That was the girl. What's my favourite word? Um, I don't know, tell her my favourite word then is "star."
{Transcriptors Note:
On the Kevin and Bean Show, David talked to a Becca Elizabeth on the phone, who had named a star after him} Favourite word, has that ever been asked before? [Typist: "Yes"] It has?? Favourite word? [Typist: "Well, favourite colour, rock band, ice cream"] Oh, colour, rock band...well, that makes sense. [Typist: "Colour and ice cream?"] No, but rock band. Can we get a good question? [2nd Typist: "Hey here's a good one"]
From squirrel3: If you could go back in history to any time, which time would you choose and why?
[To typist:] What do you mean "squirrel thirteen"? [Typist: "That's the name they're using"] Oh.
I wouldn't mind a little Roman debauchery. A little late Roman Empire--not much power left, only decadence. A vomitorium...but this is a 13-year-old! Sorry. I just
want to spend some time in the vomitorium, you can write that.
Are you interested in writing and directing?
Sure. Yeah, both.
Think you and Tea will do any movies or possibly a sitcom together? (I'm assuming
you will have a long future together, since you are obviously in love with her.)
Um, I doubt we'll do any television together. Uh, I would like to work with her at some point, just as I'd like to work with any actor that I think is fantastic, but we really have to
think about, uh, how we could do that--whether it would be a smart thing to do for us as married people.
I think you did a really fantastic job in Paper Hearts. It's my favourite Duchovny work. What is yours?
Um....Umm... [To typist:] Write "Umm" Mmm...Write "Mmmm" [laughs]
Small Potatoes, One Breath, umm.... You choose.
Any hints about The X-Files season premiere?
It's a two-parter to start the year, which means that's a three-parter going back to the
cliffhanger from last year. I think it will be an excellent three-parter, especially the third part. I'm really looking forward to seeing it.
Did you enjoy acting as Eugene Sands in Playing God? How is he different than Fox Mulder?
Uh...Yes, I enjoyed it...They're, uh, very different for so many reasons. But really, the
final analysis is from you, not from me.
You're probably asked this a lot, but in the upcoming X-movie, will the characters get a little closer?
Than what? Yes. And no. Possibly. I think maybe yeah. Somewhat.
Do you know that there are at least two languages in which your name means something? And do you have ancestors in this part of the world [Czechoslovakia]?
Yes, I knew that. Yes, I do have ancestors there.
If you could be any person in the world, who would you be?
The President. I'd like to check out his day. Or Mick Jagger, a few years ago. Or a monk in a cave somewhere whose name escapes me. Um, Meryl Streep. Uh, somebody whose voice I love but I can't think of right now....Any singer! I'd love to have a great voice for a day.
How is yoga? Still practicing?
Always practicing. Practice makes perfect.
What draws you to a project initially?
The script. The story. The character. It all starts from the script.
You're apparently one of Dave Letterman's favorite guests. Do you prepare yourself for these guest spots?
[To typist:] Why am I apparently one of his favourite guests? [Typist: "He said that"] [2nd Typist: "Must be true"] When did he say that? Did he say that? [Typist: "Yeah"] Oh, so warm. [laughs]
Yeah, you have to prepare. Uh, it's entertainment; it's not really an interview. And, um, if...if you don't do your work, then that makes Dave's work so much harder. So, I think he really appreciates people that come on to entertain and promote, which is really what that is. Now, I would like to come on and just talk sometimes, but that's not the way talk shows are right now.
Are you doing any more Red Shoe Diaries?
Uh-huh. [Corrects typist:] No, that's "ah-hah." "Uh-huh" is affirmative. U-H-H-U-H. Uh-huh, that's it.
Do you ever miss not being famous and just being able to go hang out wherever?
Yeah, everyday. Write, uh, "poor little rich kid".
What do you think of all the craziness going on about you on the 'Net?
Specifically? The Net? I guess I'm remote from all the craziness, I don't really know. [Typist: "You're very big on the Net"]
Why doesn't Mulder have a bed in his apartment? He's always sleeping on the
couch.
Uh, I think it describes Mulder as somebody that isn't a homebody, that doesn't lead a normal life. He doesn't cook, doesn't clean. He's just obsessed with work. He takes naps on the couch. It's kinda sad, really. And I think they ran out of money before they could make my bedroom.
If you could write the ending for The X-Files, what would it be? Would Mulder find Sam, etc.?
Um....No, I wouldn't. I wouldn't resolve lots of issues because, even though people seem to say that they want all these questions resolved on the show, if we were to resolve them, they would be revealed as kind of silly issues. You know, ok now--Once we know there are aliens, where do we go from there? Therefore, I think the best part of the show is its lack of resolution, especially when you're dealing with wacky
subject matter. Um...But I can see it ending kind of like that Bob Newhart show, where Mulder wakes up in bed with his wife, Scully, and tells her he had this really weird dream. Where, uh, where he was on the FOX network.
Where are your infamous speedos?
They're mine. They always have been. Always will be. Fraying around the edges a bit; a little less elastic than they used to be; string longer on one side than the other. Keep going. You gotta say string, not one side, longer than the other. I don't know what that means. One tie knotted, the other not; should I go on? [Corrects typist:] Two ...two T's in that one.
In a few words, describe David Duchovny, the person.
Again, not so much for me to describe as for you.
[To typist:] I like the speedo answer, that's my favourite. [Typist: "You like the speedo one? That was pretty funny."] [2nd Typist: "We can do one in Real Audio. Why don't you describe the movie"] On Real Audio? [Typist: "Yeah, just talk"]
Ok, um, I play a surgeon who has a drug problem and loses a patient during an operation and...um, I lose my license because-my medical license- because of this. And I have nothing to do because I always wanted to be a doctor, always was a doctor. And I get
involved with a gangster played by Timothy Hutton who hires me to be his personal
physician. I'm a surgeon, so I can work on people that can't go to the hospital; people who are wanted or are criminals. So I'm like the mob doctor who falls for Tim's woman and it gets more complicated.
I know that you wanted to play pro basketball when you were younger, but did you
ever seriously consider athletics? I ask this because I read that you gave those horses in Tunguska a run for their money.
[typist mispronounces "Tunguska" and David corrects her] Um...Yeah, I would've been a pro basketball player if I could have been. I wasn't nearly good enough. I'm fairly fleet of foot, though I'm sure any horse could run me down pretty easily.
Who are your role models? Who inspires you?
[laughs] [To typists:] Um...Mmm... Any of you have any idea as to how I should answer this? Who's a good role model? How about Martin Luther King. Snoopy. [Typist: "Martin Luther King, Jr. Would that be right?"] Is there a different one? [Typist: "Yeah there is"] And Marlon Brando.
I'm a psychologist in Australia. What psychological aspects of your Playing God character interested you?
How smart people can make stupid choices, and how somebody with that much...success, or that much seemingly going for him would have...would have, uh...an emptiness that
would have to be filled by drugs. [Typist: "Cool."] Co-ol.
How do you find time for your new marriage with all you have going on? I have a hard time finding time just with the work my husband and I do now!
I'm sure....How do you find time? You just find time. [To typist:]Ask her how she finds time, that's
how I find time. [Typist: "You just did, on Real Audio"] Oh this is on Real Audio? You gotta tell
me that.
What's the most recent book you've read?
I read A Perfect Storm.
Have you ever had a film or TV blooper?
Constantly, constantly. [Typist: "What's one of the best?"] Um....Pulling an actor's pants all the way down past his ass when I was just supposed to pull them down a little bit.
I found Paper Hearts to be your most moving work, in particularly the scene shot in
the morgue. How do you prepare for such an emotionally gut-wrenching scene?
Secrets of the trade. A magician can't show you how he does it, or it's no fun for anybody--and the magician doesn't get any more work, too.
Do you have any regrets?
Sure, I've had a few, but then again too few to mention!
[To typist:] What happened here?! [Typist: "We're ok, just the machine went off"] Machine went down!! [Typist: "They've been asking questions for two days so..."] Seriously? [Typist: "Yeah"]
How does Blue get along with the new addition to your life. Does Blue love Tea as much as you do?
[Typist reads question as "Does Tea love Blue as much as you do"] Yeah, she does. Tea has a dog, too, and the two of them are actually getting along pretty well.
Congratulations on Playing God. In the opening and closing scenes of last season's X-Files episode "The Field Where I Died" (one of my favorites from that season), you did a reading of Robert Browning's "Paracelsus." Did you personally choose that piece to recite? If not, who did? It almost looks like the idea for the episode was conceived from that excerpt.
No, I didn't. That was chosen by Morgan and Wong, the writers of the piece. I didn't even know they it was Browning when I read it. I actually thought that they had written it for the show and I thought "Gee these guys are better writers than I thought they were."
From Shaila: Do you and Fox Mulder share any common traits?
Yes, we look almost exactly alike. [playfully:] Shai-la!
Who would you love to work with?
Martin Scorcese.
How did you get your part on The Larry Sanders Show?
I had to sleep with Garry Shandling. No, I know Garry. [To typist:] Is this Real Audio? [Typist: "Yeah"] Oh good. And we'd talked about the idea of me having a crush on him but still being a straight man, and whether that would be funny or not. And I went ahead and did it. That's what I liked about it, it was never really resolved. It was just this strange thing. I'd like to go back and do it again, but I don't know what we're going to do though. We were originally going to do this thing where we were playing basketball, and, uh I kept on telling him: "Be rougher. Back into me." I was going to tell him, "All basketball comes from your ass. You know, "You gotta use your ass. Use your ass, use your ass!" We just didn't have time to film that 'cause I only had like one day and we couldn't get to a basketball court. So, maybe we'll do that this year.
Do you plan to leave the Files after season five?
Nope.
Are you interested in acting on Broadway?
Sure, I just...I can't sing, I can't dance, and there aren't that many anymore that, you know, aren't musicals. But being in front of a live audience is the best feeling there is.
[Typist mumbles the next question]If you were reincarnated would you be a man or a woman? I don't know, that's like a hypothetical on top of a hypothetical question. I just...cant-- I don't want hypothetical
right now.
Are there any "Mulderisms" in Playing God?
No. There are "Eugene Sands-isms." Sands-isms.
Did you keep the PG wardrobe?
No, but I stole what I wanted. And I had a velvet suit made just like the one Tim Hutton wears. I'm wearing it tonight on Keenen. I've had it for a year, but I just never had the occasion. But I will tonight, so watch it.
Do you really like turtlenecks?
I like mock turtlenecks. Are you referring to my recent spate of public appearances? I like to wear a little women's T-shirt underneath because they get itchy--And, uh, Mae from
Disney supplied a midriff little cotton number. If you hear a devious laugh in the background, that's Mae because she knows it's true.
Are you coming to Europe to promote Playing God?
I already did!! [To typist:] Oh, Europe, I thought you said New York. Um, God, I don't know. I'm in the middle of filming the X-Files season. So I don't have any time, and I don't know when it opens in Europe. Hypothetically, though, I'd love to. And now the next question is, "If
you promote in Europe, will you be wearing turtlenecks?" [laughs]
How was the filming of the X-Files movie?
It was very much like the filming of the X-Files TV show. Very much.
Do you think it's strange that millions of people around the world who don't even know you adore you?
[Emphatically:] Yeah. But they see me playing a character on television, so I kind of have an understanding of it. You don't....I don't have an experience of a million people. You can only experience one person at a time--unless you are in a hot tub.
How was Howard Stern yesterday? Was it as grueling as I'd expect?
No! Howard was a- a pussycat. He was really nice to me. I'm a big fan of his, and, uh, I thought we had a funny talk. And uh, he's the best at what he does. What that is, I'm not sure.
Boxers, briefs or none?
[Typist: "The quintessential question"] Why, do they ask everyone that comes in here? [Typist: "Yeah, you must have it to complete your experience here."]
I like to wear a Mae Joyce's T-shirt on my bottom half, as well. Luckily, I have skinny legs that can fit through the arm holes.
How long were you an English teacher, and what did you teach?
[laughs] English.
Do you listen to reviews? Do you even read what people say about your work?
I try not to seek it out, but it's-- but it's very tempting when you pick up a newspaper or magazine that you know has, uh, criticisms of your work. It's so terribly tempting to wanna look at it. But my advice for anybody is to stay away from it, because neither the good nor the bad means anything.
Is it true that you are going to be in a Men in Black sequel?
No. No!
What's your favourite basketball team? Player?
The Knicks. Uh, present player: Starks. John Starks. Um, favourite player of all time: Walt Clyde Frasier. C-L-Y-D-E Frasier Favourite play-by-play announcer of all time: Marv Albert. Free Marv NOW! Leave the man be!
Are you looking over any good film roles at the moment?
I hope to be about too be. (Yes, I taught English!) The logistics of my hiatus dictate that I start looking at stuff now. 'Cause I stop shooting in May, so it makes sense that I look now. But right now, there's nothing specific.
From mulder_fan: Who was the person you enjoyed working with the most?
[To typist, referring to "mulder_fan":]That's his, uh, handle? [Typist: "Maybe it's a her."] Hmm.
I loved working with Steve Railsback...Railsback, yeah...Garry Shandling, and, um, there was a woman in a show called "Oubliette" On The X-Files. Oubliette. [To typist:]O-U-B-L-I-E-T-T-E. Yadda,yadda, yadda.
There must have been some moment when you thought, Wow, I'm really famous. When was that, and what was it like?
Uh, I don't...I don't remember one awkward moment, but I do remember remembering...I guess there was at some point. I don't know, I don't remember one awkward moment. I didn't have a Hard Day's Night thing. People really love to ask questions about fame. Why is that? [Typist: "Cause they're not"] [2nd Typist: "You have it"]
What are your degrees from Princeton and Yale in?
I have an A.B....from Princeton in English literature, and I have a Masters and an A.B.D., which means all but dissertation, from Yale in- in English literature. And I have a degree from The American Bartenders School. (That's true!)
Can you give us any hints about the XF movie?
If you send me $8.50, I'll tell you the whole thing.
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