Cole Fowler continues his interview with Dave Annable...
Cole: The scenes with the three brothers are always so hilarious to watch. Are the scenes as fun to film as they look on screen?
Dave: Absolutely. The three of us always have fun. We just did our Spring Break episode where all three of us were together. I remember we had one day where it was just the brothers all day. It was midnight and we were still here, running up and down the halls and hiding from the Assistant Directors and scaring each other. We just really have a great time together. I made two brothers out of this show. It's great.
Cole: What has been your favorite episode to film?
Dave: I think my favorite was the intervention episode, “36 Hours.” That one was a really challenging episode for me. I have never dealt with addiction, so I was nervous and petrified. But I think the actual episode came out really well, and I thought everybody worked as hard as they could. I was proud of the work we all put in, and it was great.
Cole: We actually have a question from a fan about that episode: "One of my favorite episodes was the detox episode, ‘36 Hours.’ What was the most challenging part of filming that episode? How do you approach and prepare for the physical and emotional aspects of going through that experience?" Do you remember?
Dave: Yeah, I do, because the most challenging thing about the episode was the actual intervention-- that whole sort of speech where I tear everyone apart and they're all after me. I got the lines at about eleven o'clock the night before, while I was working, and stayed up all night trying to memorize them. That's not something where you want to stop and think about your lines. You want to be able to just react, and that scene actually took us about 12 or 13 hours to shoot, so by the end of the day I literally had no voice. On everyone else's coverage I think I was just, you know-- air coming out. It was really challenging, but really rewarding as an actor, just to have that scene and go through that episode. It was pretty special and it's one that I don't think I'll ever forget.
Cole: So how did you prepare to play a young war vet?
Dave: Oh, I was panicked after I got the role. That's when I had a heart attack. But I actually went down to a vet hospital in San Diego and I was fortunate enough to sit in on a sort of group therapy with some soldiers. These six vets were speaking about their experiences in Iraq and some of them were 19 years old and had done three tours already. I literally could not say a word. It was so heartbreaking and completely opened my eyes to what's really happening. I mean, you read about the war in the newspaper or you see it on CNN, but to actually talk to these guys who'd been there and done it was incredible for me as a person as well as an actor. I just tried to familiarize as much as I could with some of their stories and, more importantly, how they deal with their families when they're back. Not necessarily shooting someone and what that felt like-- it's how do you relate to your parents or to your siblings, because obviously that's what our show is about. They were really great guys with really tremendous experience.
Cole: One of the great things about the show is that you have these really serious, touching storylines like Justin being sent to Iraq and, on the other hand, you have so much playfulness with the siblings.
Dave: Yeah.
Cole: On the more playful side of things, do you have any favorite Justin quotes?
Dave: I really liked my line, "This is the gayest week of my life," when Saul came out. I've had some fun ones. That one just stands out because I remember we had a really good time shooting that scene.
Cole: One reader asked, “You definitely seem to be a fan of the show as well as a star. Apart from your own role, what are your favorite storylines and characters on the show?”
Dave: Uh, pretty much anything involving Justin-- no. I'm a really big Kevin/Scotty fan. I love their relationship. I mean, I just eat that up. I get all warm inside. I really am a fan of the show, that's really it. I like Nora's storylines, I like Uncle Saul's storylines, I like Sarah, and Kitty with McCallister. I think our writers have done such a great job in making everyone's storyline interesting, you know? There's always the rollercoaster of "this storyline's more prominent than this one," but I think our show has done a great job of balancing it out.
Cole: One fan writes, "This past summer you confirmed you'd participate in Freeze the Disease, which unfortunately was canceled. How long have you played hockey and what position?"
Dave: I'm a goaltender. I've played hockey since I was about 12 or 13 years old, and our producers have been nice enough to let me play once a week.
Cole: But no bruises?
Dave: Yeah, no bruises--or if I do, I blame it on something else.
Cole: Just tell them Ryan did it.
Dave: Yeah, exactly. Or Nora-- sorry, Sarah Caplan [Executive Producer]-- Nora's beating me again. But, yeah, it's something I've grown up doing and I love hockey. I'm pretty much an all-around sports guy, but hockey's a lot of fun to play and I love getting out on the ice. I'm trying to convince one Matthew Rhys to come play one day. He used to play hockey back in Wales and is totally nervous to get back on the ice.
Cole: That would be fun. Another fan writes, "On the show the brothers love to surf. Is this a passion in real life as well?"
Dave: I'm terrified of sharks. I've only been surfing once, and it was a surfing lesson given to me as a gift for my birthday. I went surfing and I actually had a blast. I was horrible-- I mean, I think I stood up three times the whole day. It was so nice to be out there on the water, and all that. But I had trouble putting my feet and arms in, paddling out there, because I kept thinking they were going to get bitten off by a shark. But surfing was a really cool experience.
Cole: So you need a stunt double for those scenes...
Dave: Yeah, Denzel Washington, whoever's available. You know.
Don't worry, Dave. No sharks in the Walkers' pool.
Cole: So, what are your other favorite sports?
Dave: I've played a lot of baseball and I'm a huge football fan. New York Giants, New York Mets, if we're throwing teams in there. I also play on the Brothers & Sisters softball team, which is awesome. We were one game away from the title this year, so that was a little sad. But we'll get her next year.
Cole: Who did we lose to?
Dave: We lost to Bones, believe it or not. I'm actually friends with Dave Boreanaz, and trust me, he heard about it.
Cole: Next year.
Dave: Next year.
Cole: The last question I have, I think I might know the answer to. If you could have any actor or actress make an appearance on a Brothers & Sisters episode, who would it be and why?
Dave: Well, as much as I'd love to say Jenny McCarthy, that was sort of my high school days. Now... um, that is a great question. There's a bunch of people that I'd love to see in a guest-starring role. I was really excited when we did have Chevy Chase, who's really cool, and Steven Weber and Danny Glover and Margot Kidder. She was great. I don't know-- let's get George Clooney on here, get those ratings up. You know what I'm saying? Who doesn't want to see George Clooney? Screw ER. You know?
Cole: I hear he's going back.
Dave: He is, yeah, he's going back. He called me last week and told me--
Cole: Maybe he could teach Justin if Justin ever does go into medicine...
Dave: Yeah, who knows. I mean, if I'm gonna learn from someone, it might as well be
George Clooney in some scrubs. You know what I'm saying?
Cole: Totally.
Dave: Yeah, I don't know. You know, Catherine Zeta, I wouldn't mind if she stops by. Salma Hayek. Jessica Alba... Okay! So.
Cole: I think that's all for now. Thank you for sitting down with us...
Dave: Oh, thank you.
Cole: I know you’re in the middle of shooting a scene, too, so it's very nice of you.
Dave: Hence the suit.
Until Next Time,
Cole Fowler
Assistant to Executive Producers
