For the second year in a row, PopGurls attended the “Destination: LA” event, a gathering of Lost fans, cast and crew designed to celebrate the close of the season and raise some cash for the Children’s Defense Fund. We didn’t learn the secret of the island, but we did uncover some tidbits involving papayas, a vendetta against reality TV, Brisco County Jr. and Crank Yankers.
Daniel Roebuck
Role in the Lostverse: Leslie Arzt
POPGURLS: Did you know you were going to blow up when you were cast?
I knew that I was going to do three episodes, and that I was not going to do more than three episodes. I did not know I was going to blow up. I did not even know what I was playing when I was cast. They called and said ‘Come be on the show’ and I said ‘I don’t know, I’m really busy. Okay!’
POPGURLS: Had you not blown up, what kind of storyline would you have liked your character to have had?
Well, had I not blown up I’m sure that the fans would have demanded that I end up with Evangeline Lilly. I think that’s really where the character was going. She’s a bit of a chubby chaser. So, you know…her loss, my loss.
POPGURLS: Was it hard fitting in with such a close knit cast, arriving in the middle of things like you did?
All kidding aside, the best thing about that cast was…Now you think about it, I was the first guy to come on the island. All the other guest stars had been in other [flashback] storylines and didn’t interfere on the island. I came to the island and it was like ‘What the fu–? Who’s this asshole on my island?’ But everybody was fantastic. Gracious, inviting, grateful, nice, caring people.
POPGURLS: If you could be a contestant on any reality show, which one would you chose?
I am a daily contestant on a reality show called Dan Roebuck Tries To Put His Kids Through College, so that’s the only reality show I could give a shit about. Anything else that they do is all phony and not real. Not much of a fan of reality shows.
Can I say something about that? The new Poseidon [remake] – this is my new call to arms – has a character holding onto another character who is going to die and a third character says ‘Kick him off or you will both die’ and he kicks the guy to his death, and I think that’s what our culture has become. Not the pop culture that we worship, but culture in general, because you’re watching so much of this crap, these reality shows, where people think self preservation is more important than self sacrifice. So turn off the reality shows and turn on Lost reruns and [read] this wonderful web site…?
It’s PopGurls.com.
Right. Read PopGurls.com.
Carlton Cuse
Role in the Lostverse: Executive Producer
POPGURLS: You helped create Brisco County Jr., a great show featuring Bruce Campbell. What was it like to work with him?
Bruce Campbell is completely awesome. He has a twisted, unique sense of humor that is different than any other actor out there in just the best possible way. He is funny and can do everything. I love Bruce. There is no way Brisco would have been Brisco without Bruce. And it’s coming out on DVD at the end of July, so we’re very excited. Bruce and I have just been doing commentaries and interviews and all that kind of stuff. We’re really excited and it’s going to be a really cool release.
POPGURLS: That’s going to be awesome. Another Brisco County question. Billy Drago. How is that he comes across as so evil in so many things he does?
The thing that is ironic is that he is like the sweetest guy in real life. He is a kind, sweet, soft-spoken guy, but he is just a great bad guy. And particularly on Brisco, where he needed to be the arch-evil bad guy, he was the perfect choice for that. He needed to be the leader of leaders of this gang of 12 outlaws, each of whom was notorious. He was superlative at that.
POPGURLS: Was there a TV show when you were younger that made you want to start making television?
I used to watch a lot of TV. I used to watch a lot of westerns, which made me want to do a western. I particularly like The Rifleman, with Chuck Connors. And also Quinn Martin dramas. Little did I know at the time that while I was whiling away afternoons and evenings watching all of this stuff that I would end up doing it myself. But it all permeated deep into my subconscious. All those shows were very influential to me.
POPGURLS: What can you say for sure is not going to happen next season on Lost?
We won’t be washing clothes in the hatch.
William Mapother
Role in the Lostverse: Ethan Rom
POPGURLS: Since your character was an Other, did they give you any special insight into what that whole business was about?
I know a few things that I cannot reveal. (laughs)
POPGURLS: Were you surprised to be brought back this season?
Yeah, when I finished Season One they didn’t make any commitment to me, whether or not I would be on the show anymore. So I was surprised that they found a way to bring me back, and of course delighted because it’s a fun show to be a part of.
POPGURLS: If you hadn’t been blown away in season one, what kind of things do you hope your character could have accomplished?
That’s a good question. I’m not sure I can quite answer that without revealing what I don’t think I can reveal. And the only reason I’m being coy about that is that I want to respect the privacy and achievement the producers have created and I don’t want to ruin the surprise for any of the fans.
POPGURLS: Fair enough.
Now, my choice for Ethan…I would have liked to have seen him become a happy, productive, papaya gathering member of the community, you know? And maybe find a love among the survivors. (laughs)
Bryan Burk
Role in the Lostverse: Executive Producer
POPGURLS: Was there a TV show when you were younger that made you want to do television?
Only one. What’s Happening!! No, I’m kidding. But I do love What’s Happening!! [My answer is] The Twilight Zone. I mean come on, it’s the best show ever made. It’s the winner. I Love Lucy is also the best show ever made, but The Twilight Zone is it.
POPGURLS: If you could do a crossover with any show on television, what character would you have crash on the island?
Without question, I would do Hadassah from Crank Yankers.
POPGURLS: Is there any advice you would give to the youngsters out there who want to go into a career of making television?
Film or television, it doesn’t matter. I would say the thing that I live by – and I feel like I’m behind – is that they should embrace every media. Not just television, and not just things that are on now, but watch everything, movies or television shows or read books. And if it feels overwhelming and daunting, it should, because there are some incredible things out there and you never know where your inspiration is going to come from.
POPGURLS: Everybody probably asks you what’s going to happen next season on Lost, but what can you tell me for sure is not going to happen next season?
Fuck, it’s Lost, there are a lot of possibilities. What will definitely not happen next year on Lost? Hadassah will not make an appearance.
2006-05-24