If you’ve seen Veep, you likely know Richard Splett, which could mean you know Sam Richardson. It more likely means you know what it is to be so convinced by a performance that you’re unsure where the actor stops and the character begins. How does an artist make that happen, especially when he’s the newcomer to one of the most talent-packed comedies on TV? Well, it might be a stretch to say Richardson grew up on the mean streets of Detroit, but growing up on the city’s tough comedy stages taught him a thing or two. Now, Motor City serves as backdrop and inspiration for his own TV show. We discuss the parallels between playing a pitchman on Detroiters and actually pitching Detroiters, and how growing up between two countries inspired its unique take on race and traditional sitcom relationships. He also explains why a fake laugh is no courtesy, but a crime against humanity.
If you’ve seen Veep, you likely know Richard Splett, which could mean you know Sam Richardson. It more likely means you know what it is to be so convinced by a performance that you’re unsure where the actor stops and the character begins. How does an artist make that happen, especially when he’s the newcomer to one of the most talent-packed comedies on TV? Well, it might be a stretch to say Richardson grew up on the mean streets of Detroit, but growing up on the city’s tough comedy stages taught him a thing or two. Now, Motor City serves as backdrop and inspiration for his own TV show. We discuss the parallels between playing a pitchman on Detroiters and actually pitching Detroiters, and how growing up between two countries inspired its unique take on race and traditional sitcom relationships. He also explains why a fake laugh is no courtesy, but a crime against humanity.
If you’ve seen Veep, you likely know Richard Splett, which could mean you know Sam Richardson. It more likely means you know what it is to be so convinced by a performance that you’re unsure where the actor stops and the character begins. How does an artist make that happen, especially when he’s the newcomer to one of the most talent-packed comedies on TV? Well, it might be a stretch to say Richardson grew up on the mean streets of Detroit, but growing up on the city’s tough comedy stages taught him a thing or two. Now, Motor City serves as backdrop and inspiration for his own TV show. We discuss the parallels between playing a pitchman on Detroiters and actually pitching Detroiters, and how growing up between two countries inspired its unique take on race and traditional sitcom relationships. He also explains why a fake laugh is no courtesy, but a crime against humanity.
Let’s face it, Kenneth Lonergan will never be the Mr. Rogers of Hollywood. He’s learned (kind of) to placate studio brass, but mourns the days when writers and directors had more artistic control (“Nobody told John Ford to make Grapes of Wrath less depressing”), and wishes he could just be left alone, trusted to deliver great films on his own timeline. After Manchester By the Sea, maybe that will finally happen. He’s proven three times now that no writer possesses a keener ear for dialogue, no director a better sense of story, and no observer of life a more merciless grip on how it really works. The subject of his films? Us. Human beings. So why are they called “small”? It’s not often we get inside the head of someone who’s given so much thought to his craft and the world he makes it in. We didn’t emerge unscathed, but we also didn’t leave without hope.
Let’s face it, Kenneth Lonergan will never be the Mr. Rogers of Hollywood. He’s learned (kind of) to placate studio brass, but mourns the days when writers and directors had more artistic control (“Nobody told John Ford to make Grapes of Wrath less depressing”), and wishes he could just be left alone, trusted to deliver great films on his own timeline. After Manchester By the Sea, maybe that will finally happen. He’s proven three times now that no writer possesses a keener ear for dialogue, no director a better sense of story, and no observer of life a more merciless grip on how it really works. The subject of his films? Us. Human beings. So why are they called “small”? It’s not often we get inside the head of someone who’s given so much thought to his craft and the world he makes it in. We didn’t emerge unscathed, but we also didn’t leave without hope.
It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
It has been said that David Oyelowo makes film stardom look as easy as laughter, and it is a joy to watch such a truthful and talented artist find success. But friends, it was not easy. He had to stand up to a much-loved father who had different ideas for his career. When he tried to build on his UK success with the fascinating real-life story of an unknown boxer, he was told viewers wouldn’t be interested in people they knew nothing about (that would be black people). Feeling his only chance to move forward was in the U.S., he uprooted his family and struggled to get his breakout role in Selma. His agents were told, “David Oyelowo is not Dr. King.” Someone higher up told him otherwise. We talk about characters and character, storytelling, and why who does the telling really matters. Yes, he’s a joy to watch. And to talk with.
