ET Online 3 Feb 2006 - selected Q&A on Something New

 

What attracted you to this role? Also, how has the press tour been going for you so far? It's great to see you making the rounds.

Simon Baker: The first thing that attracted me immediately was that I'd never been involved in a romantic comedy before. I liked the script. I thought it was nicely put together and a good point of view. A refreshing point of view. It's pleasure and pain all wrapped up in one. (The tour) It's nice to get and have attention but after a while it's a little bit too much. I find myself trying to curl up in a ball in the corner and rejuvenate myself. But overall, this has been a pleasurable experience because I feel very proud to be a part of the movie.

 

Do you prefer doing films or TV -- and why?

Simon Baker: At this point I prefer working on films for the finite value of what it represents. You can pace yourself and focus more on hitting the different notes that need to be hit. Sometimes it does feel, the pace of it, the work feels a little slow compared to television but you have a clearer structured framework with film, the three-act structure. Whereas television is pretty much ongoing and you're just constantly weaving in and out of the storyline. But I do like the working pace of television. It's fast and furious and you have to think on your feet.

 

Have you ever dated outside of your race before?

Simon Baker: I've been married for 12 years, my memory only goes back five.

 

I can't wait to see "Something New" -- I've been waiting for something new from Mr. Baker since "The Guardian" went off the air with no resolution. Do you know what the writers would have done about Nick and Lulu? How about their baby?

Simon Baker: Thank you for being a committed fan and I appreciate that you enjoyed the show so much but unfortunately the last episode you saw was, in fact, the last script that I saw. As for the writers, it was the last one they wrote. I don't dare to even wonder where it would've gone but I can tell you I went home and hugged my wife and kids.

 

What do you look for in acting roles that help you make your decision? I thought you totally nailed your character in Ride With The Devil, by the way. I'd like to see more of these morally complex type of characters.

Simon Baker: I look for an emotional connection to the character and from a technical point of view I'm excited about playing a variety of different characters in different types of films. I'm always questioning whether the character is accessible to the audience and if I can find the truth in who that person is. I would like the opportunity to play more "morally complex types of characters" you mention. It's what I love.

 

Being on the set everyday surrounded by beautiful, talented and sophisticated black women, did you learn 'anything new'?

Simon Baker: Yeah. I hate to sound like I'm stereotyping but I learned that the black women that I was hanging out with were a whole lot of fun. Big hearts and lots of love.

 

42.4% of African American women don't marry? So, how does Kenya McQueen attract a hunk like Bryan Kelly out of all that competition?

Simon Baker: First of all, you flatter me. The meeting was a happy accident. I think Bryan felt there was something within Kenya that wasn't realized and he felt the urge to want to help her blossom into a happy fullness. At the time that they met they complemented each other with their emotional states.