Interview with Cliff Olin

My name is Marika Cahn and I intern with the writers at Brothers & Sisters. After weeks of Starbucks runs, kitchen clean-ups, taking lunch orders and copying, I finally hit the jackpot today when I was asked to interview my favorite Brothers & Sisters writer, Cliff Olin. He co-wrote last Sunday's episode, "Breaking the News." Cliff warned me – “I give bad interview” but I put him at ease with a reassuring “I give great questions.” Here’s our chat.

Cliff is distracted by his iPhone, Marika does not seem amused

Marika: What do you think about as you take the elevator up to the 4^th Floor in the morning?

Cliff: I’m usually hungry so I think about the lack of food in the kitchen. I think about seeing Molly Newman (another writer.)

Marika: Would you say that your apartment is decorated in Art Deco, French Colonial or Modern style?

Cliff: There is nothing on the walls.

Marika: What’s your favorite You Tube video right now?

Cliff: That’s a very good question. Thank you for asking. It’s called Allen Iverson practice remix. It’s by DJ Steve Porter who is friends with my friend Fetus. And you can quote me on that.

Marika: What is the one thing that if people knew this about you, they wouldn’t let you write another episode for this show?

Cliff: My past with Calista Flockhart. And by past I mean future.

Marika: What made you decide to get an indigo colored car?

Cliff: What is indigo? Do you mean Indica?

Marika: What’s your definition of the word nepotism?

Cliff: I don’t know that word. Ask Patricia Wettig what it means.

Marika: You went through a period where you steered away from your usual Grande Iced Coffee order and opted for double espressos. What was going on in your life at that time?

Cliff: YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW.

Marika: Which or the following male Brothers & Sisters characters do you identify most intimately with; Scotty, Kevin or Saul?

Cliff: Saul. I don’t want to say why.

Marika: Which or the following female Brothers & Sisters characters do you identify most intimately with; Nora, Holly or Rebecca?

Cliff: I would say Holly. Neither of us have been married, I have a grown daughter and I love David Caplan.

Marika: What is your workout routine? Cliff: Sometimes I run, sometimes I swim and I used to go to Barry’s Bootcamp. Marika: When is the last time you cried?

Cliff: Writing for episode 409, I cried because what I wrote was so good.

Marika: What are your top three TV shows?

Cliff: Besides Brothers & Sisters; Modern Family, Mad Men and Sports Center.

Marika: Complete the following sentence: “If I wasn’t a writer I would be a….”

Cliff: Scientist.

Marika: If you had to be on a reality show, would it be Jon & Kate Plus 8, Dancing with the Stars or MTV’s Next?

Cliff: The City. I’m contractually obligated to say that. (Cliff’s sister Roxy is currently on the show.)

Marika: Which movie do you wish you had written?

Cliff: Sleepless Beauty so I could work with Sara Sugarman (Sara is our former intern slash also a successful film director).

Marika: Who is the man you respect the most that wears a pony tail?

Cliff: I don’t want to say.

Marika: Why, was it in porn?

Cliff: Yes.

Ponytail porn caters to a very niche audience, but Cliff is no stranger

Marika: When is the last time you brought home a girl to meet your parents?

Cliff: Probably in 2003. It did not go well.

Marika: Top iPhone applications right now?

Cliff: I am T-Pain and Backbreaker Football.

Marika: Do you write anything other than TV?

Cliff: I write emails. Obituaries. Love Letters. IOU’s. Good Byes.

Marika: What is the first thing you do when you get home from work?

Cliff: Thank God and then dance.

Comments

[Charlie]

Very...interesting? HAhaha

[Kie Ann]

Olin, I don't care about your interview but please write GREAT, HOT and SEXY scenes for Kevin & Scotty. After that, maybe you will be cooler :)

[Sylviane]

Cliff seems like a nice person, but could he next time keep his answers a bit shorter? Took me HOURS to read this blog... :)

Nah, nice interview and you have indeed great questions, Marika.