- Chat Transcript -
YAHOO/TV GEN SENTINEL SPECIAL CHAT SERIES
Yahoo/TV Gen online celebrates the return of The Sentinel with a special chat series in which the actors and producers field questions from online fans. The chat schedule is:
- Monday Jan 18 -- 8-9 EST (5-6 PST) - Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo
- Monday Jan 25 -- 8-9 EST (5-6 PST) - Garett Maggart
- Monday Feb 01 -- 8-9 EST (5-6 PST) - Richard Burgi
Garett Maggart (Blair Sandburg), January 25, 1999
TVG_Michael: "Welcome Garett, thanks for joing us this evening. How are you doing?
Sentinel_Garett: Very well thank you!
McVey21: Tell us your take on Blair's character.
Sentinel_Garett: Blair is going thru a little bit of a change lately. He used to be a very excitable, academic minded person. Now he's, I don't want to say jaded, but become a little more streetwise after hanging out with Jim Ellison.
coupede: Has your natural athleticism influenced the development of Sandburg's character from strictly bookish to someone who's willing to get mixed up in all the action?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes. They've, the writers, I believe, have let my athleticism, whatever that may be, influence their writing a little bit. But they don't want to make him another cop. They're not going to make him afraid of everything, though, if he gets into a little scuffle, he gets into a little scuffle. I try to do as many of the stunts as they'll let me, there aren't too many, Richard's character has more.
minotaursc: Garett: What, if anything, do you think would tempt Blair to give up being Guide to Ellison?
Sentinel_Garett: The only thing that would tempt Blair to give it up would be if Jim Ellison lost his abilities. But I'm sure Blair would still be his friend and a guide in other ways.
BlairK_2: What kind of backstory did you create for Blair to bring him to life?
Sentinel_Garett: Actually, oddly enough, I didn't create too much. I had a little bit, but I sort of let the writing in the first couple of years dictate that. I created it as an ongoing thing, I don't go in with a full history until he was 21 or anything.
planey: In an interview, you've mentioned the immediate chemistry during auditions between you and Richard. Can you expand on that--what was that like for you, and how does it contribute to the show?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes there was a definite, immediate spark or chemistry, between Richard and I at the audition. And our friendship and ability to get along off screen has definitely found its way onto the screen. We definitely work well together. I'm not saying that parts couldn't have gone to any other actors, but it was just nice to have it be with two people that got on so well.
sallye52: Hi Garett! We missed you in Pasadena. Did you have a good vacation?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes I did, thank you for asking.
angiejohn: Garett, I hear you spent some time in Australia recently, as an Aussie I'd like to know if you enjoyed it.
Sentinel_Garett: Don't know you all found that out but... But yes, I had a wonderful time in Australia. It's a gorgeous country.
whitesocks852: What do you think of the way Jim treated Blair in Sentinel Too.
Sentinel_Garett: I think he treated me as Jim would. As probably Blair would too if confronted with the same situation.
anonymeek: Richard has mentioned banging his chin on the bus used in the Switchman in several interviews. Have you picked up any war wounds in the course of filming the Sentinel?
Sentinel_Garett: A few bumps and bruises but nothing serious. There was on a particular episode in the first season, where they did a slow motion shot where I kept and caught a bomb detonator. On the first take, I flew over the mat and I landed on a camera, and I got a pretty good bump from that, but that's about it.
Rivka_Chaya: How would you say the character of Blair Sandburg has changed from Switchman to now?
Sentinel_Garett: I don't really know how to answer that one. He's just become a little bit more streetwise, a little more cynical. He still wants to give people the benefit of the doubt. But from certain experiences on the street, it's becoming a little harder sometimes.
dragfox: I understand that you teach children how to act. How did you get started, and do you still do it?
Sentinel_Garett: No, I don't, anymore, I did for two or three years about seven or eight years ago. How I got started was my father is an actor, and I've just always been around it. That's just how I grew up. I thought everyone was an actor.
ratty_pie: Any plans to work with your father (or other family member) in the future?
Sentinel_Garett: My father and I already did an episode--12, I believe--of the Sentinel together. And we've always spoken about doing a play together. My brother and I were talking about writing some things together.
PaulJMar: Your father is a wonderful actor. Does he watch the show and/or give advice?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes, he watches every episode, and he will critique me. He tells me where he thought he caught me acting. He clues me in to maybe some subtle mannerisms I'm doing that might be nervous ticks or something like that. But for the most part, he keeps it to positive critiques.
anonymeek: I've heard there will be another "basketball" episode this season. Will you get to sink a three-pointer this time?
Sentinel_Garett: No! I saw the cut of it and they don't show my playing at all. Very upset!
GammaRay77: What do you imagine Blair was like as a kid?
Sentinel_Garett: Oh, I'm sure that he was a kid that was into everything. Very inquisitive. Very cocky. Always had about five or six questions to ask about everything.
Lizbeth49: Your character seems to have matured a lot since the pilot. Do you as an actor have any imput to the development of your character?
Sentinel_Garett: Yeah, a little bit, not too much. I pretty much stay to what the writers write. If something comes on the pages that I think is really non-Sandburg, then I'll bring it up. But for the most part I'll make everything work for Blair.
KAZandURS: When you started on the Sentinel, you hadn't done a lot of work. Now you're a three year network TV veteran <G>. Any advice to others like you entering the long haul on series TV?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes. People entering the profession of acting, you have to stick with it. You can't take all the no's personally. Because you will definitely hear no more than yes. I was on at least 200 auditions before I got my first job. Everything was too short, too tall, not enough hair, too much hair....
Rusty2_4219: Here's a question, Garett. How do you keep up the courage to handle the rejection side of the audition process? I'd have to think that would be very tough to go through, especially when you know you could nail the part.
Sentinel_Garett: Once again, you can't take it personally. There are a lot of things that have to go right or wrong for anybody to get the part. And you really just have to say if I'm supposed to do this job I'll get it, and if I'm not, I won't. And if you can't do that, you should look for another job. I mean there is nothing wrong with really wanting a job and being upset when you don't get it, but you can't take it personally.
_lulu_2: What is the biggest misconception people have about you? Sentinel_Garett: That I'm an academic! LOL!
BlairK_2: How do you deal with residual emotion after a particularly emotional scene?
Sentinel_Garett: Usually in television, you don't have too much time to deal with it, because you're onto the next scene. You just have to let it go.
planey: Are the storylines different for this season? We've heard that they incorporate some fan feedback, in particular a greater emphasis on interpersonal relationships (the friendship between Blair and Jim). What is your impression?
Sentinel_Garett: They concentrated a little bit more on the relationship between Jim and Blair. Not as much as I would like, but enough as they would like. They the writers, maybe not the fans.
tory86: How do you feel about the fan response after the Sentinel was taken off UPN's schedule?
Sentinel_Garett: Incredible. It was kind of strange to be a part of something like that. I just go to work and do my job. It makes you feel good when it's received by a number of people like it was. It was really gratifying.
Jim_and_Blair_Forever: There has been a rumor that Blair will join the Cascade police force. Is it true?
Sentinel_Garett: No comment, I'm taking the fifth!
anonymeek: There have been helicopter chases in several episodes. How much time have you spent in the air? What were your experiences like? Where the hell do they put the camera?
Sentinel_Garett: I love helicopter flights, whenever there's one on set I try to get in one, even if I'm not in the scene. As far as the camera, they'll put it anywhere they can get a shot. They'll strap it onto a skid, they'll hold it in the helicopter. Anywhere they can put a camera.
Dunnethat: Garett, your dog, Lola, is an unusual breed. What made you choose that breed?
Sentinel_Garett: Well, cause she was there! LOL! My family owns her two sisters. And so she was family. So I took her.
planey: How close is the cast and crew outside of the set?
Sentinel_Garett: Incredibly close. It is amazing to be part of something like that. There was no hierarchy. Everyone came to wrok and did their job. And everybody really got along. It was like a huge 150 person family.
BlairAngel_1: Did you and Richard work on Days of Our Lives at the same time?
Sentinel_Garett: No.
BlairK_2: Was it fun for you to play "Weird Bruce" on "Frasier"?
Sentinel_Garett: It was incredibly fun. Kelsey Grammer was a really fun person to work with. He never made me feel like I didn't deserve to be there. Very gracious and generous actor.
Vancouver_rain: Have you ever watched "Sentinel Too" Part 1? If so, what does the final scene, at the fountain, bring to mind for you?
Sentinel_Garett: It brings up a lot of stuff. We didn't know if the show was coming back. I hate to sound corny, but it was sort of symbolic of the show. It could have been the end.
anonymeek: Which was colder, the fountain at UBC or the rapids shown in Survival?
Sentinel_Garett: I wasn't actually in the fountain. That was a stunt man. But the fountain was colder.
ratty_pie: Did you go to film school or study theater?
Sentinel_Garett: I studied acting a little bit in college.
_lulu_2: What is the most interesting rumor you have heard about yourself since becoming a TV star?
Vancouver_rain: In "Warriors" Incacha called Blair "shaman", will the new 8 episodes make references to mysticism in terms of Blair's character?
Sentinel_Garett: They don't really dwell on the shaman thing, which is too bad.
whitesocks852: Does Sandburg get new glasses this year?
Sentinel_Garett: No, he keeps the same ones he had last year.
BlairK_2: What was your favorite TS scene to play?
Sentinel_Garett: The one with my father. In a tool shed.
dragfox: Which episode was the hardest to get thru and why?
Sentinel_Garett: Well, the hardest would be the pilot, just because it was all new to me.
Megarouge: Besides Blair Sandburg, do you have a "Dream Role"?
Sentinel_Garett: No, not really, whatever comes my way. I hope I can do a good job with it.
draven_lady: If you could choose the direction for Blair Sandburg's future, what would you like to see happen?
Sentinel_Garett: I want to see him become a cop and carry big shotguns!
McVey21: Where do you see Jim and Blair in 5 yrs? 10? 15? 20?
Sentinel_Garett: On other projects!
Gillian_HR: Do you ahve any projects lined up for the hiatus?
Sentinel_Garett: No, I don't, but I'm available!
Vancouver_rain: Are you doing any talk show appearances during the hiatus?
Sentinel_Garett: I don't think so, this is all I have lined up.
Cynthia187: Garett, considering your popularity, if you could do it all over again, would you choose the role of Blair Sandburg?
Sentinel_Garett: Of course!
draven_lady: Do you think that, prior to Sandburg's "death", Ellison appreciated Sandburg? How would you like to see Sandburg's death impact their friendship?
Sentinel_Garett: I think he appreciated Sandburg, of course. And I think that it would impact our relationship just as any near death experience would. Make them closer.
Dunnethat: What do you like to do to relax when you're not working?
Sentinel_Garett: Physical stuff. Basketball, roller blading, swimming, sports, you know.
whitesocks852: What actor would you pick to guest star on the Sentinel?
Sentinel_Garett: I don't know, anybody, come on out! Jack Nicholson!
ysmccool: Have you ever thought about directing?
Sentinel_Garett: Yes, I have. It's something that I want to do, but probably not the Sentinel. I think I'd much prefer directing people talking.
wicce26: If you could play any character in any movie, who would it be?
Sentinel_Garett: There are so many I wouldn't know where to start, really.
Caorann: What would you like to do, if the Sentinel isn't renewed?
Sentinel_Garett: Movies, preferably, and plays, that's what I would prefer to do, but of course I would do more television.
ysmccool: Would you consider a "bad guy" role if the part were juicy enough?
Sentinel_Garett: Of course. Without question.
AgtSpooky: How has the whole "fan convention" experience been for you?
Sentinel_Garett: At first, it was kind of scary, but I suppose I'm getting a little used to. It's still a little nerve wracking. I really appreciate the response.
Kathy_Crow: What personal idiosyncrasies did you bring to the character of Blair Sandburg?
Sentinel_Garett: Personally, I made a choice about laughter, when he gets nervous.
Rike183: When reading a script, do you, as the actor, always agree with the things Blair does or says or where there moments you wished the script had been different?
Sentinel_Garett: Oh, of course, there are many times I've wished the script was different. But you make due with what you have.
BlairK_2: How do you keep your character fresh?
Sentinel_Garett: Well it's just the same way you keep every day fresh. You got to bring whatever you got to the table, and just throw it all in there, mix up the pot, and see what happens.
SueWalker99: Do you think Blair will ever get his PhD now? Will you be disappointed if he doesn't?
Sentinel_Garett: I think he will. And I wouldn't get disappointed if he didn't. I think the personal satisfaction he's gotten from the experience would be enough.
N_V_ER: Does Sandburg giggle?
Sentinel_Garett: Yeah.
RyfsButtonLady: What other TV shows do you watch?
Sentinel_Garett: Not too much. I don't watch too much network television. I tend to just watch movies, and videos, stuff like that.
good_cracker: Did you ever imagine that Blair would become so popular?
Sentinel_Garett: I had no clue at all. I'm surprised.
alfirin_99: Hi! What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you?
Sentinel_Garett: That would be like an hour conservation.
BlairK_2: What do you like most about being Blair?
Sentinel_Garett: Being on a television series, man!
TVG_Nichael: Garett, thanks for joining tonight, good luck, and please come back and join us again.
Sentinel_Garett: Thanks for coming out and listening to what I have to say!
TVG_Michael: And thanks for joining us this evening and sending in all your questions.... We wish we had more time to spend answering them.
(With thanks to JMS and Duranee)