A Conference Call Interview with Olivia Wilde (Part 3)
January 23, 2008 by Lynn
And here’s the conclusion of the conference call interview with Olivia Wilde:
Some critics have said that Thirteen is just a new version of Cameron, Jennifer Morrison’s character. What do you say about that?
Olivia: I’m surprised by that. I find Cameron to be so compassionate and emotional and she’s just so lovable and a lover. I’ve been watching the show for a while and that’s how I see her. I find thirteen to be almost the opposite. She’s not cutthroat, as Amber was, but she’s definitely not as soft and open as Cameron is. Cameron is the kind of doctor that you wish you would find when you walk into the ER. She’s always got the patience and life is her priority, even above her own. Thirteen is different in the way she approaches things. She’s holding back something personal that stops her from having the same kind of compassion and the same type of softness. I think they operate differently in certain situations. I understand how there’s two girls on a show; they’re always going to compare them. I’m amazingly flattered to be compared to her physically, because I think Jennifer is stunning. I think fans are going to be resistant to a new person on House and I understand that. And the fact that they are seeing parallels in the two characters is because the writers are writing…there aren’t too many girls on House, so when they are writing for them, some of it may come out sounding a bit familiar. Cameron has completed her three-year fellowship and thirteen has now gotten that job so she has some of the same roles within it. House will tend to delegate the same types of tasks to the women in his life and on his team. Certain things may be familiar, but I don’t see the characters a being similar. Hopefully, as they get to know her, they will recognize the differences in them more.
I just read that you’re going to be working on a new film. What can you tell us about that?
(follow the jump to continue reading!)
Olivia: Yes, it’s Jack black’s movie. It’s directed by Harold Ramos and it’s called The Year One and it’ll be out in 2009. It’s a Monty Python-esque journey through Biblical times. It’s ridiculously hilarious. I read the script and just fell over on the floor laughing so hard. I’m real excited to be a part of it and the character couldn’t be more different than Thirteen. It’ll be fun to shake it up a little bit.
When does production begin?
Olivia: I leave for Louisiana on Monday. We begin filming then.
Has your involvement with the show made you more aware of the risk of getting sick?
Olivia: That’s really funny. I thought it would make me a total hypochondriac, but instead, I’m now convinced that I’m a doctor. I see somebody with a pain I’ll say, “Well that’s your spleen.” I diagnose them and I’m completely unqualified to do so. But it’s given me this false confidence as a pretend doctor, which is pretty funny to my friends and family. I just so enjoy learning about all these crazy diseases. I particularly love the neurological disorders.
What kind of work ethic is there working on the show? What’s it like working with the other actors in the cast?
Olivia: It’s a generous set. It’s the rule of thumb for House. You would never let someone do a phone call or any scene like that without being off camera for them. Everyone takes rehearsal very seriously. People are there for each other, to work through the scene as many times as everybody wants before shooting and that can be time consuming. We’re known as having one of the hardest work schedules of any TV show. We don’t do a lot of location shoots. We’re often inside the hospital. But the reason it takes so long is people are willing to work really hard for each other. And even if you have one line in the scene and you feel totally comfortable with just winging it and going back to your trailer, but someone else wants to work through it for a few hours to get it rehearsed properly so it’s up to par for the shooting of the show, you do that for them. They’d do it for you. Hugh is constantly like that and I was really interested in the fact that Mira Sorvino was like that as well. She at one point missed a flight home because she was willing to stay and do off camera for someone. I thought that was unbelievable that she was an Oscar winning actress and has a family at home and she had enough respect for everybody that she waited. I was really blown away by that. She was fabulous. That’s the rule f thumb on House.
You said that you were previously a fan of Hugh Laurie before working with him. So how is it working with him?
Olivia: I was so terrified my first day because he’s so fabulous. But he’s immediately disarming. He has this incredible sense of humor that comes across and completely disarms you. He started as a comedian at Cambridge and obviously worked very successfully as a comedian. Even though he’s brilliant at doing drama, he has this amazing sense of humor. He has a lightness of heart that permeates the room. That immediately softened me and made me more comfortable. He couldn’t be more encouraging.
Were there any things that surprised about working on House when you actually got on set?
Olivia: I was impressed with how much of a hospital they’ve actually built. We take up three sound stages. It’s pretty extensive, the sets they have. It’s brilliant. And as a fan, I was amazed at how well run it is, how efficient it is. I guess I didn’t know that the hours were so long. But now I know that they don’t stop till it’s good.
And I think most of us would agree that it’s not only good, it’s always great. I appreciate FOX for setting up the conference and giving us a chance to talk to Olivia Wilde today. What a highlight for my week.
Don’t forget, for another interview, to check out Randi’s interview with Laura Silverman (guest star in episode 4.12) too!
So what do you think of the things that Olivia had to say? Leave a comment to let us know!
tv, Television, house tv, House, Olivia Wilde
Photo source: FOX.com.
Her character, along with Taub & Kutner, have ruined the show. I wish they would write them off and bring back Chase, Cameron, and Foreman. The new team sucks. The new actors aren’t of the calibur of the old ones. The new characters are boring imitations of the originals.
I’m excited to see the new direction the show will take, once it gets going again. A lot of people are resistant to cast changes, but as a fan of a show like M*A*S*H, which had cast changes all the time, I can see how change is a good thing for a show. Starting next week, the show gets back to its normal procedure. We’ll finally get to see them interact not as pawns in House’s evil games, but as doctors. It should be really interesting. And you know what, the producers have even said this may not be permanent, so who knows. Sometimes you just have to trust “the powers that be” that they’re not screwing up. They have a plan.
That being said, I am SO jealous of Olivia. The way she described Hugh just makes this fangirl squee with delight. And then, she gets to work with Jack Black. How awesome is that?!
The new characters brings a spark to the show. It let’s people know about new people within the show, instead of only the patient. I mean, yes, I do miss the ‘ducklings’, but seeing House poke fun at the newbies is just great. At least Foreman is still in the department. That’s sooths me.
I was surprised that she thought Hugh was *light at heart* when everyone else says that he is mostly glum at work.
The newbies…..hum. Not so much. I miss Chase and Wilson and Cuddy.
I don’t miss Cameron or Foreman at all…..sorry.
REMEMBER, HOUSE IS BACK JAN. 29th!!
AND, AFTER THE SUPER BOWL!!! YIPPEE!!
I thought we knew 13’s name? It’s around here somewhere I’m pretty sure.
KUDDOS to you, Lynn!!
Now, you’ve GOT TO get an interview with HUGH!!!!
Thank you so much for this! I love Olivia!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Yeah Thirteen’s name is Remy Hadley
If you guys do an interview with Hugh I want to be there… haha
The only character that I miss is cameron. This isn´t the same withouth her and makes the show boring for a lot of people.
They put a lot of funny scenes but i don´t want it. I still prefer a House Cameron look.
Many shows that have been on the air have managed to keep things fresh with good writing. I don’t think bringing in three new characters was the way to go. There have been very few moments that I feel haven’t fallen flat this season. I’m sorry that the writers weren’t able to do more with existing characters that, along with House, made the show one of the best on the air.
Bring back Amber now!!!
The Old Ducklings and their specialties
Dr. Cameron-Immunology
Dr. Foreman-Neurology
Dr. Chase-Intensive Care Medicine
The New Ducklings
Thirteen-Internal Medicine
Dr. Taub-Plastic Surgery
Dr. Kutner-Sports Medicine
I don’t know much about medicine but it seems like the old ducklings are more qualified than the new ducklings.
Old Ducklings > New Ducklings
Thank you Lynn for always keeping the rest of us up to date with House’s infos.
First, I must say that I don’t have anything against O.W, I hardly know her as an actress.
To me this interview’s timing (less than a week of the remaining episodes) is kind of a Fox’s PR stunt to win House fans over, since on differents threads and sites they voiced their unhappyness about the changes, especially concerning Thirteen.
Is it a coincidence that one of this interview’s highlights is about the difference between Thirteen and Cameron, and how there’s no similarity between the two characters?
I, with “great difficulty”, can believe that till the end they didn’t know that’s they’ll stay on the show, because as early as the summer’s begining we, viewers, already knew that’s not only 2 but 3 actors were beeing picked up as new regulars. Their names were already known: K.P, O.W, and P.J.
Around mid-summer the TPTB added A.D.
Now, that their contracts with Fox was not for one year but more, was a surprise to O.W and the others, that info I can believe.
Again, I have nothing against O.W.
Till Ep.9 she hardly had some significant appearance or outstanding acting on House. So for her to be picked up instead of Anne D, which did a great job to a point that some fans found natural to just hate Amber, was IMO unfounded.
That’s why I didn’t appreciate that the TPTB on House led the viewers to think that they’ll take into account their choice over the Survivor arch, when the deeds were already done back in mid-summer.
Mim:
Just to let you know, I was actually the person who asked her the question about the similarities between Thirteen and Cameron. I asked four of these questions and the answers were typed up as her responses, word for word. She didn’t know what would be asked ahead of time. We all got to ask anything we wanted to ask. (I left out the fact that she doesn’t have a favorite team for the Super Bowl and some unrelated things like that. Who cares?)
Yes, the timing of the interview was to call attention to the final three episodes, but we all asked what we wanted to know. I think I asked her the toughest question, though.
I’m always looking out for you readers’ interests!
~~ Lynn
I like the character of Thirteen. I like the new fellows. I like the direction the show is taking this season. Thank-you for posting this interview with Olivia Wilde. I support her and her character 100 percent!
oh man thanks so much for this! and just agreeing with all the others out there, if u interview hugh, i wanna be present too!!! =]
I particularly liked the fact that Olivia Wilde was a House md fan before she was on the show. That would be my dream.
I’m not a fan of OW and kinda of wish that she and the rest of the new team left or they wrote a better role for Cameron and Chase. The new team has no spark like the original team did and it has ruined the show in my opinion. There’s only so much that Hugh can do to pull this show through, but it’s unfair for them to solely put it all on Hugh because these actors can’t pull their weight on screen like the original actors could.
Sorry, but I think 13 is BORING.
I still say I liked the older guy who wasn’t really a doctor. He would have been a hoot!
Remember House says to him, “I think I’m going to miss you the most”. (or something like that)
He was fun! If Season 5 is depressing I’m gonna need some comic relief. I’m still not over the Tritter arc!
I forgot to say that I agree with Tammy.
They are working Hugh to death.
It’s not fair….especially because of how seriously he takes his work.
Give the man some time off….but just a little.
Sorry but Olivia Wilde sucks. Wish they had chosen a better character or a better actress. Right now, it’s wasted space.