by tyche » Tue Apr 09, 2002 8:42 am
Finally got round to typing this up - it appeared in a British TV mag in February. *blush*
Nothing spoilery for 'Buffy', minor spoilers for 'Manchild':
[b:ea587a4775] From Buffy to male menopause[/b:ea587a4775]
[i:ea587a4775] Anthony Head shot to fame as the Gold Blend man, but it was playing Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer that made him a star. Now hes appearing in Manchild, a new BBC drama thats been described as Sex and the City for the fortysomething man. [/i:ea587a4775]
[b:ea587a4775] So whats Manchild about, then?[/b:ea587a4775]
Its about what makes men tick, in this case men approaching 50. Its also about the child thats in all men and which were reluctant to let go of. All the guys in it [Nigel Havers, Don Warrington and Ray Burdis also star] are wealthy, but it becomes evident that their lifestyle is flawed. It is also about friendship.
[b:ea587a4775] How did writer Nick Fisher come up with the idea?[/b:ea587a4775]
Nick was at some traffic lights and a very flash sports car pulled up next to him. It was the kind of car that boy racers normally driver, but someone a lot older was behind the wheel. That happens in Manchild, but instead of it being laughed at and seen as sad, its okay.
I always coveted a Jaguar XJS in my 30s. But the guys who used to drive them were in their 50s. Thats just a fact of life - you dont get the wealth until youre older.
[b:ea587a4775] Tell us a bit about James, the character you play.[/b:ea587a4775]
He used to be a dentist, but hes always admired Nigel Havers character Terry, a suave stockbroker and wanted to be him. So he lives a little bit in Terrys shadow.
[b:ea587a4775] But doesnt he have a sexual problem too?[/b:ea587a4775]
His problem is partly physical, partly mental. Hes mortified by the fact hes impotent and his attempts to deal with it are very funny.
[b:ea587a4775] Its a far cry from the Gold Blend ads. Do you regret doing them?[/b:ea587a4775]
No. Here they closed a few doors - I was being perceived as a romantic lead, a bit smooth. But when I moved to America, it actually opened a few doors.
[b:ea587a4775] So why did you move to America?[/b:ea587a4775]
The TV roles I was being offered here werent what I wanted, so I sat down with my partner Sarah seven years ago and discussed moving to the States. I didnt want to move Sarah and my two daughters Emily, 13, and Daisy, 10, out there.
Sarahs the most intuitive person that Ive ever met, and somebody whos willing to say All right, Ill be a single parent for however long it takes. I did several roles in the US before landing the part of Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
[b:ea587a4775] What was the appeal of playing Rupert Giles, the Watcher?[/b:ea587a4775]
I leapt at the chance of doing Giles, because it gave me the opportunity to do character acting rather than the standard romantic lead.
[b:ea587a4775] What is Sarah Michelle Gellar like to work with?[/b:ea587a4775]
Shes a sweetie. Whenever the kids came on the set one of the first stops was Sarahs trailer. She always used to say Make sure I get to see them as soon as they arrive. We still call each other occasionally.
[b:ea587a4775] How did your life in LA compare to your life at home in Bath?[/b:ea587a4775]
Theyre completely different worlds. My life here on our farm has always been reality, over there it was always work. Hollywood isnt actually that glamourous. Yes, you go to premieres, but I dont think Ive ever been to a Hollywood party. I had a little apartment in Santa Monica, not a Hollywood mansion.
[b:ea587a4775] Why are you now back in Britain?[/b:ea587a4775]
My apartment was full of pictures of the girls and stuff wed done when they came to see me. I realised that Id missed all the bits in between - their growing up.
[b:ea587a4775] How did you tell them on Buffy?[/b:ea587a4775]
I went to series creator Joss Whedon at the beginning of Buffy series five and told him that I wanted to leave. He said, I dont want to kill you off. Id like you to become, maybe, a recurring character. In fact, Joss and I have had a chat about doing a British-based Buffy spin-off based on my character Giles.
[b:ea587a4775] You and Sarah have opened a centre for dog and horse whispering.[/b:ea587a4775]
Yes. Actually, Sarahs been doing this for years and I try to help out when I can. Acting is a silly world and this seems such a positive thing to do with all that Buffy money.
Interview by Nick Fiaca
Character profile of ASHs character in Manchild:
[b:ea587a4775] James[/b:ea587a4775] - Anthony Head
Wealthy and wayward former orthodontist who seems to have it all. But behind the faade, hes deeply flawed and insecure about his sexual prowess. He has a crisis after failing to satisfy a 23-year-old woman and decides that he needs to take action.
TV Quick, February 2002
), but is it funny? Is the shudder (I'm assuming *shud == shudder) because ASH plays an icky guy, or because it's not funny and icky to watch? You seem to be pretty solid in the ``sense of humor'' department, so I'm interested to hear what you thought.
Latex? 
