PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: INSIDE MEDIA: RAYMOND CHANDLER MEETS CRAIGSLIST: HBO'S BORED TO DEATH {PUBLIC SHORT VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as a part of The Paley Center for Media’s Inside Media series. Held at The Paley Center for Media in New York, this evening honors the HBO comedy series “Bored to Death,” about the fictional life of a struggling mystery writer, named after real-life author Jonathan Ames, who tries his hand at being a private detective. Pat Mitchell (president and CEO, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks.
Ron Simon (television curator, The Paley Center for Media) introduces the evening's moderator: cast member John Hodgman (Louis Green). Hodgman then introduces the panelists: executive producer/creator/writer Jonathan Ames; and cast members Ted Danson (George Christopher) and Jason Schwartzman (Jonathan Ames).
Topics of discussion include: Ames’s bizarre boxing experiences and how they inspired a plotline in two “Bored to Death” episodes: Schwartzman’s affinity for Ames’s novels; the first meeting of Schwartzman and Ames; Schwartzman’s initial attraction to the show and how he landed the lead role; why Danson got involved in the show; what led to the expansion of Danson's supporting character; Danson mirroring his character's need to "stay relevant"; and the "perfect" chemistry between Schwartzman, Danson, and cast member Zach Galifianakis (Ray Hueston).
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following: Schwartzman avoiding a direct impersonation of Ames when playing his identically named character; Schwartzman’s role as a “leader” among the cast; if the actors will work together on future projects; the prominence of marijuana on the show; Brooklyn as a setting for the show; Ames’s assertion that the show is “emotionally autobiographical"; Schwartzman’s musical work; Ames and Hodgman’s longtime friendship; the origin of Ames’s “hairy call”; the upcoming second season; the lack of improvisation on the show; how Danson and Schwartzman became interested in acting; and Schwartzman's audition as Max Fischer for his acting debut in the 1998 film “Rushmore.”
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 2, 2009 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:06:53
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 100420
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Host
- Ron Simon … Host
- John Hodgman … Moderator
- Jonathan Ames … Panelist
- Ted Danson … Panelist
- Jason Schwartzman … Panelist
- Zach Galifianakis