AfterElton - 16/Nov/2009

[Source]

Brothers & Sisters: "Pregnant Pause" Advance Photos
Posted by AfterElton.com Staff on November 16, 2009

We got our hands on some advance photos from Brothers & Sisters' November 29th episode "Pregnant Pause" and we thought we'd share. Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) is featured in several of these. It's nice to know that he'll be making an appearance in that episode, although we can think of better things for him to be doing than hanging out with the Walker men smoking cigars.

All photos credit: ABC

"Why am I always the one stuck wearing flannel?"
"What are you complaining about? They've had me in a jewfro all season."

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

"Hey Lena. Nice to see you landed on your feet with this
cocktail waitress gig. We'll be sure and tell Tommy you said 'hello'".

"Bro's before ho's!"

"Hey, now that Rebecca's pregant, any chance
she'll develop an awesome rack like yours?"

"What'd I say?"

Holly and Sarah finally bond over their mutual love of scrapbooking.

"Oh, just ignore the one in the turban. That's what we try to do."

AfterElton - 13/Nov/2009

[Source]

“Brothers & Sisters” New Showrunner on Kevin and Scotty’s Surrogacy Storyline
Posted by Michael Jensen, Editor on November 13, 2009

David Marshall Grant

Last month, ABC announced that David Marshall Grant was taking over showrunning duties for the Sunday night drama Brothers & Sisters. The news was of special interest to gay fans as the out Grant is also an actor probably best known for his brief but memorable appearance on thirtysomething as the gay Russell Weller. Grant appeared on four episodes of the show during the ’89-‘90 season including the infamous outing that showed Russell in bed with his boyfriend. That scene set off a furor with numerous advertisers pulling their ads and leading ABC to yank that particular episode from repeats.

Fortunately, things have changed a great deal since then, and it might even seem like karma that Grant is now in charge of one of the most gay-friendly shows on television. ABC recently made Grant available for short interviews to discuss the show and his new role. Naturally, we asked him about Kevin and Scotty.

AfterElton.com: Our readers are very interested in Kevin and Scotty. What's going to happen with the surrogacy storyline that you can talk about?
David Marshall Grant: Surrogacy is going to be a big factor for them this season. We're going to follow the natural progression of it, and the drama of it, and the ups and downs of surrogacy. We're going to try to take it in a time appropriate pace in our story. I think it'll be with us for the whole rest of the season.

Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) spar
over the decision to start a family.

AE: When you say it'll be with us for the rest of the season, can you say whether they're going to go through with it?
DMG: Well, they're going to debate that, of course, then they have to pick a surrogate, well, that's already ... you know. And then they go through the process of having to pick the egg donor and then you have get them all together and harvest the egg, then you have to figure out who's eggs are whose, which one are you going to implant, does the implantation take. It's just so many steps in that journey. We want to really mine and honor all the steps along the way when you try for surrogacy.

AE: Can you give me a hint as to who's going to be considered for an egg donor?
DMG: I think one of the fun things about egg donors is that you can get them at an egg donor bank, so you go online, the egg donor or surrogacy center data bank you choose them from, where they are harvested from, is online, so it's just a fun, interesting way of choosing who will technically be the mother of your child. [laughs] The egg donor part of it is usually done semi-anonymously, in that you don't know their last name, but you know everything else about them. You see videos, pictures, childhood pictures, so it's a strange process of picking people online.

AE: Can you tell me if there will actually be a bun in the over by the end of the season?
DMG: That you'll have to wait and watch the show to find out. That is the big, six pound, four ounce question.

AE: Other than the surrogacy storyline, what is the relation between Kevin and Scotty going to be? It seems like Scotty has really developed a backbone this season. He's been pretty darn assertive about what's going on. What will we see with the two of them? Is it just the surrogacy storyline or will there be other plots going on?
DMG: Actually, there's going to be a lot going on. For instance, the Wig Party, which was Monica's last episode as showrunner, I actually co-wrote with Margery Davis, so it was a good way to typify our collaboration. Scotty is going to have his own real story that involves his father who is going to come to visit. Scotty gets his first story with a character outside the Walkers that he's the lead on.

We've all fallen in love with Scotty, not to mention Luke the actor, so we're really stepping him up this year. The Scotty and Kevin journey, that includes surrogacy but does not limit itself to surrogacy, is going to be a very gripping, intense journey for them this year. There's going to be a lot to look forward to this year.

AE: It's interesting that you happen to be a gay man yourself...
DMG: Who said I was gay, Michael?

AE: I've heard it around. I think Perez Hilton mentioned it or something.
DMG: [laughs]

AE: I've been really happy with Modern Family and Brothers & Sisters for doing these storylines about gay men having kids. There is a certain segment of gay men who don't like seeing these surrogacy storylines for whatever reason. What's your reaction to gay men who don't want to see this storyline?
DMG: You mean gay men who don't want to see this storyline?

AE: Yes, gay men.
DMG: I don't even know. I mean, if they have some sort of political reason for not liking the storyline, I don't even know what that could be. If they just don't like because it doesn't interest them, then they shouldn't watch it. Are you suggesting they have some sort of political or some take on gayness that doesn't include surrogacy?

AE: I think there's two takes on it. From fans of watching gay stories, I know this happens a lot to lesbians when their storylines come along, it's sort of — and I don't mean this explicitly — but it desexualizes the characters, makes them parents, and sort of takes away from the more romantic storylines that you could be seeing. And then, as you know, there's a faction of the gay community that doesn't want to see gay marriage come along, or don't want to see gay men become part of the traditional mainstream. I guess it's a neutering to some folks.
DMG: Right. Well look, I think if we were to "neuter" them and make them asexual parents that might be true, but this is a show where Kevin and Scotty nearly had a threeway on ABC, so I hardly think we've been desexualizing Scotty and Kevin. I think they make out more than most other characters in the show actually. I think we've been really conscious to maintain their sexuality, and I think we've done a great job of that. I think ABC deserves enormous kudos for letting us.

In terms of the other thing, I don't think that gay men and women becoming parents is in any way a step backwards in terms of gay progress or what it means to be a gay man or woman in this country. I think that these are certainly life choices. It's a choice whether you want to be a parent or not. It's not a choice to be gay, but that choice is something many people make. Scotty and Kevin hopefully are an example of a vibrant, sexual couple that have been portrayed countless times in heterosexual ways on television. We're taking the next step that pretty typical for many couples where they want to start having a family. I personally think it's a great portrayal of what it means to be gay and in love in this country right now. 

Entertainment Focus - 20/Oct/2009

Interview: Luke Macfarlane

Submitted by Pip on Tue, 10/20/2009 - 06:05

Luke Macfarlane is quickly establishing himself as a leading man in Hollywood by bringing a winning combination of charm, versatility and intelligence to his roles. He plays Scotty Wandell in the critically-acclaimed drama Brothers & Sisters – and with the season three DVD released this week, we bring you an interview with the actor about his role on the show.

You appeared in the first season of 'Brothers & Sisters' as a guest star. Did you know back then that you would become a cast regular by the third season?

It's funny, but I never imagined I would be a cast regular on Brothers & Sisters – especially by way of marriage. I remember riding bikes over to one of the sets a while ago and asking Matthew Rhys [who plays Luke’s lover on the show], “What do they have in store for us?" And he said, "I think we're getting married." It was a total surprise to me.

Were you excited about the prospect of becoming a series regular?

Definitely. It's always really nice when you come into something and your agents tell you, "There's a possibility for you to become a series regular here." However, it was a complete surprise because I had no idea where they were going with the storyline. In fact, I continue to have no idea where they're going with it.

Was there an immediate chemistry between you and Matthew Rhys?

We always got along very, very well and there was never any awkwardness between us. Matthew was ready to jump into the gay love affair with great aplomb, which was fantastic. I don't think we've ever had any tension between us. It’s always been great.

Do you receive much fan mail on the show?

I’ve had a number of letters from the gay community talking about the lack of role models for gay people on television and how happy they are to see Scotty and Kevin together. I really applaud the show’s creators for depicting a real romance for them. I’m glad they didn’t go for any clichés.

Do you receive more letters from women or men?

I'm always surprised that I get as many letters from girls as I do from boys. In fact, I'm always amazed at the care these people put into some of the letters. Sometimes I get drawings and it’s totally flattering. At the end of the day, we wake up really early in the morning and we go to work to do our thing. We sometimes forget that the show gets beamed out into the universe, so it’s always very touching and flattering to receive mail about it.

How long does it take to shoot an episode?

We usually work on nine-day episodes. Hopefully they give us the script about a week in advance, but as you approach the end of a season, it sometimes arrives about two days before we start on an episode. I think we're very fortunate because we have such terrific writers and terrific actors – and there is a real sense of collaboration on the show.

Do you have much input into your character?

Sure. After the first table read, which they try to do for every episode, the actors can approach the writers and say, "I think I might want to do this." I love the way it’s open for us to do that. From my experience on other television shows, I haven’t seen as much collaboration between the actors and the writers. We're very fortunate onBrothers & Sisters.

Can you change the wording in the script if you're not satisfied with it?

Well, you can talk about it with the writers and change things. With certain producers you have to say every line as it’s written in the script, but there are other producers who let you do your own thing. That’s not to say we don't respect the scripts tremendously – but the longer the show goes on, the more the actor owns the part. The writers and producers start to encourage us to say what we want to say.

Your character marries Kevin Walker in the show, but that’s something that most gay couples in California cannot do anymore. How did this storyline come about?

I find this a fascinating story because I think the election happened about a week after the show aired in the States – and then Prop 8 didn’t pass. It was amazing that we’d done this thing that was, without foresight, very provocative.

Did you enjoy filming the wedding scene?

It was wonderful. It kind of felt like we were doing something big – and it was all done with great care. The writers spoke with someone who had officiated gay marriages, so the words were very accurate and in line. It was all really beautiful.

How well does the cast get along?

We all get along extremely well. There’s a great camaraderie on our set and everyone is very professional. We all get on with our work, but we also hang out together when we’re not working. It’s a great show in that respect.

What’s it like to work with Matthew Rhys?

It’s great. Matthew is an incredible actor and an incredible guy. We both come from theatre backgrounds, so our approach to the material is very similar. I couldn't be happier.

And what’s it like to work with Sally Field?

Sally Field is amazing. She really makes you raise your game when you’re on set. She’s like a leader in some ways. I remember one time specifically when we were filming a dinner scene and there was a lot of chatter among the cast. It was late at night and we’d had a really long day, but she just stood up and said, "Everybody be quiet." Everyone went quiet. She has that kind of effect.

'Brothers and Sisters: Season Three' is available to buy now.

GOLIATH - 11/Oct/2009

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Dudamel dazzles at Philharmonic's opening night.

Publication: Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) Publication Date: 11-OCT-09	Format: Online Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: Dudamel dazzles at Philharmonic's opening night.(L.A. Life) Article Excerpt

Byline: Rob Lowman, Staff Writer

Gustavo Dudamel was dancing - literally - after his official debut as new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at a sold-out concert Thursday night at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

And why not? The 28-year-old Venezuelan conductor and his wife, Eloisa - wearing a strapless, tiered floor-length red dress - took to the dance floor to a Latin beat at the post-concert gala on what can be described as a joyous night for the symphony orchestra.

There had been a lot of hoopla surrounding Dudamel's arrival, and Thursday night was no different, with a wide range of celebrities - Andy Garcia, Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance, Sophia Bush, Dana Delany, Jenna Elfman, Rachel Griffiths, Don Johnson, Herbie Hancock, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Quincy Jones, Eriq La Salle, Luke Macfarlane, Sidney Poitier, Jason Schwartzman and William Shatner, as well as Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other city and county officials.

Although some of them may have expected it, Dudamel wasn't there to perform magic. He had been brought in by the Phil to put a new, young face on classical music in Los Angeles. And what the city learned Thursday - if it didn't know it already - it's a very appealing face with lots of talent behind it.

Dressed in black tails and white tie, the conductor walked onstage and briefly acknowledged the crowd with a smile before giving an almost violent downbeat to begin to John Adams' "City Noir," a world premiere that had been commissioned by the Philharmonic.

With echoes of urban jazz and 1940s and 1950s' movie themes, the work - inspired by the Raymond Chandler Los Angeles of the era - begins with syncopated clarinets punctuated by straining bits of strings before blossoming into a concrete dreamscape.

Lively sax solos give way to sultry trombone solos and then jittery, foreboding sections that echo the uneasiness of the times.

This rich work by Adams, who is the creative chair of the Philharmonic, was easy to get lost in, as if wandering down city streets and unexpectedly finding yourself in an unfamiliar - and sometimes dangerous - territory, which eventually gives way to an electrifying finale. They'll be some snap judgments about it, but there's a lot in it to process on one listening, and "City Noir" is certainly a musical journey worth taking again.

As he conducted from a score (Adams had been tinkering with the work until recently), Dudamel seemed to prowl the podium, trying to wring the emotions and mystery from the work, and the orchestra responded with an animated, compelling performance.

(Unfortunately, you'll have to wait until Nov. 27-29 to hear it performed again live by the Phil as part of its West Coast, Left Coast festival. But Thursday's concert was recorded for PBS, and "Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic: The Inaugural Concert" will air at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 on KCET.)

For those looking for a definitive decision on "City Noir," remember what was written about the work that made up the second half of the concert - Mahler's Symphony No. 1. When it debuted in 1894, the German musical press condemned it as "a crime against law and order in the realm of...

AfterElton - 11/Oct/2009

[Source]

Ask the Flying Monkey! (October 12, 2009)
Posted byBrent Hartinger on October 11, 2009

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Send it to aftereltonflyingmonkey@yahoo.com! (Please include your city and state and/or country.)

Q: Can you please help us get more details on Luke Macfarlane's involvement in a Canadian movie Iron Road? He plays a straight guy who falls in love with a woman who was disguised as a boy and has a total nude scene which is gorgeous and sexy. -- Bclee


A: Who is this, the publicist for Iron Road? You’re a smart one. By getting me to publish your email on AfterElton.com, you should sell at least a few thousand extra copies of the movie.

Charlotte Sullivan and Luke Macfarlane in Iron Road

Iron Road, a $10 million Canada/Chinese production, tells the sad story of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, and of the many Chinese workers who were tricked into slavery and lost their lives in the rail’s construction. A Chinese girl dresses as a boy to look for her father, one of the railroad’s workers. Along the way, she has an affair with Macfarlane’s character, the son of a railroad baron.

”I really wanted to do something that was Canadian,” Macfarlane, an Ontario native, told TV Guide (Canada). “Then this came along, and it seemed like the perfect Canadian thing to do. Also, growing up, I watched these great CBC TV-movies, and said, ‘I want to do that!’”

Now I’m sorry to disappoint you, Iron Road publicist, but I feel it’s important to inform my readers that while Luke does seem to have a very brief nude scene, he used a body double for the "good parts" — at least according to Kong Chang over at the fan site LukeMacfarlaneOnline.com, who tells me:

I've analyzed the scene, and yes, it is a body double, as Luke still retains his long underwear during the water scene (you can see the outline of the fabric when he is swimming). Plus Luke has hairier legs than the body double and although the build is very similar, Luke does not have love handles...even small amounts of them either. Though this movie was filmed in 2007 and Luke has buffed up some and lost some weight since (especially his small beer gut), I went through the scenes with a combed brush. What you see of Luke stripping to the long underwear is all Luke, what you see from the underwear scene onward is the body double.

Iron Road publicist, I’d ask you to tell me if Kong is right or not, but I’m certain you’d lie.

AfterElton - 25/Sep/2009

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Pic Post: New cast photos from "Brothers & Sisters"
Posted by snicks  on September 25, 2009

In anticipation of the Brothers & Sisters Fourth Season Premiere this Sunday at 10:01PM EST, ABC has released these official cast photos.

Feel free to use them to refresh your memories about the zany Walker family as you join us for our livechat (courtesy of Ed Kennedy), beginning at 9:45 PM EST!

Luke (Scotty) MacFarlane (All Pics: ABC/MIRANDA PENN TURIN)

Matthew (Kevin) Rhys

Ron (Saul) Rifkin

Rachel (Sarah) Griffiths

AfterElton - 18/Sep/2009

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Pic Post: "Desperate Housewives", "Brothers & Sisters", and more!
Posted by snicks  on September 18, 2009

Finally, we have Brothers & Sisters, which returns to the schedule on Sunday, September 27 at 10:01 PM EST (remember, it's 10:01 PM!). Along with the alarmingly poodle-headed Kevin (Matthew Rhys) is dream husband Scotty (Luke MacFarlane). Rumor has it they may hear the pitter-patter of little feet this season (and I'm not talking about Calista Flockhart). (PICS - ABC/RANDY HOLMES).

AfterElton - 17/Sep/2009

[Source]

1st Annual AfterElton.com Primetime Visibility Awards Winners
Posted by AfterElton.com Staff  on September 17, 2009

Best Supporting Actor

Luke probably set a record for number of votes per minute of screentime on Brothers & Sisters last season. Other than two very notable episodes, it seemed all they let the poor man do was serve appetizers and pour wine – once you’re a series regular, aren’t you supposed to be able to drop your cater-waiter job?

Still, those sparkling blue eyes charmed us, and he’s been the physical and emotional rock that Kevin has held onto as the Walker family swirled around them.

AfterElton - 16/Sep/2009

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Preview: Gay Fatherhood Looms on “Brothers & Sisters” and “Modern Family”
Posted by Brent Hartinger  on September 16, 2009

Warning: This article contains minor spoilers about the upcoming seasons of Brothers & Sisters and Modern Family.

There’s a gay “baby boom” in entertainment coming this fall, as gay men are featured as fathers of babies in a number of different projects (see our accompanying article).

Two of the most prominent examples are the ABC shows, Modern Family and Brothers & Sisters.

What exactly do the producers of these two shows have in mind for their fictional gay dads?

Modern Family is a “mockumentary” sitcom about three very different families who are supposedly being taped for a reality show to be aired in The Netherlands. One of the families consists of Cameron and Mitchell, a gay couple that has adopted a baby from Vietnam.

Mitchell and Cameron

“It’s all the firsts for them,” says the show’s co-creator Christopher Lloyd of the gay couple and their child. “We’re doing an episode this week where they go to their first ‘Mommy and Me’ class. We’re doing an episode where it’s the first time they bump their daughters head against a door-frame. A lot of those kinds of things. For them, it’s the transition from one kind of lifestyle to a very different kind of lifestyle. From being carefree – from having it be all about them.”

As for the fact the show is groundbreaking when it comes to showing gay parents on network television, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who plays Mitchell, says, “I don't want to put too much pressure on the show to be a platform right now. I just want to let it be what it is. I think it needs to have that space to breathe, but it is very exciting. There's isn't a way to really ignore that. It is groundbreaking.”

Adds Eric Stonestreet, who plays Jesse’s partner on the show, “From the moment I saw the script, before they'd seen me for an audition, I wanted to be a part of this show. I just think it's a great opportunity to bring attention from every walk of life to show people are pretty much the same.”

Cameron and Mitchell won’t be the only gay parents on the show. The second episode sees the two men attending that ‘Mommy and Me’ class where they encounter Anton and Scott who have adopted a baby from Africa and seem to do everything a little better.

Meanwhile, on the returning family drama Brothers & Sisters, gay couple Kevin and Scotty will spend the first part of the season debating if they even want to be parents.

“We really are exploring Kevin and Scotty in the beginning of this season,” Brothers & Sisters’ supervising producer Monica Owusu-Breen tells AfterElton.com. “Scotty is getting more of his own point-of-view this season. Because they’re discussing having a child, there are many more Kevin and Scotty scenes, at least in the first ten episodes.”

As in Modern Family, the couple must explore if they’re ready for the responsibility of parenthood. But the issues they confront are also unique to the specific characters of Kevin and Scotty.

“Given the dynamics of this relationship, what does it mean when one of them is more successful in terms of his career?” Owusu-Breen asks. “Does that necessarily mean that the other one’s going to be staying home more? It’s all fine and good when it’s hypothetical: ‘I want a child. I want to be dad’ It’s a whole other thing [when it’s real]:‘Do I want to be a dad? Am I ready to be a dad?’”

Once the couple does decide to go through with it, the show will feature their search for a birth mother and their exploration of egg and sperm donation – the details of what it means to start a family.

So will there be an actual child this season? “Things change quickly in television, so I don’t want to say definitively that there won’t be a child,” Owusu-Breen says. “But we’re not planning for it this season. Right now the plan is next season.”

She’s also quick to point out that the issue of gay parenthood is a very personal one for many of those involved with the show.

“There are gay writers on our show that are trying to have children, and heterosexual couples who have adopted,” Owusu-Breen says. “All the many permutations of becoming a parent are reflected on our writing staff. This is an issue close to the writing staff’s heart. There are a lot of stories being told that come from truth.”

AfterElton - 14/Sep/2009

[Source]

First pics from "Brothers & Sisters" fourth season!
Posted by Michael Jensen, Editor on September 14, 2009

Ida: So are you boys still homos?

Kevin: Are you still a shrew?

Scotty: Be nice, Kevin. Call her a hag. 

While everyone is all hot and bothered about Glee , let's not allow our shiny new toy to make us forget some of our past favorites. Yes, I speak of ABC's Brothers & Sisters which returns September 27th.

Okay, we've all had our issues with the show over the years, but let's not forget when Kevin (Matthew Rhys) and Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) kissed back in Season One, our synapses fired like crazy because it was one of the first times we'd see a gay couple kiss like that on network television. 

Since then, Kevin has gone through a couple of boyfriends, got married, and donated some liver which is more than you can say about a lot of gay characters. And then there's the matter of Uncle Saul (Ron Rifkin) coming out.

So let's take a gander at these pics from the fourth season's first episode "The Road Ahead" and imagine a glorious season filled with Kevin and Scotty and more gay goodies!(All pics courtesy of ABC/RANDY HOLMES.)

Scotty: Seriously, shouldn't you be dead by now?
Ida: Shouldn't you have a storyline by now?
Scotty: You so did not just go there, beyotch!
Kevin: I need a drink.

Our eyes! Our eyes!

Kevin (to self): Go ahead, punk, make my day. Hmm, I wonder if they have appletinis here?

Robert: Ooh, I just broke 600,000 playing Bejewled on my iPhone.
Kevin: Too bad, straight boy. My high score is 800,000.
Kitty (to self): If I could only push one off the roof, who would it be?
Decisions, decisions!

Sally Field: I can't believe you're showing my Oscar speech again!

You're all a bunch of effing ingrates!

Ida: You're Nora's best friend? Sure, I've got plenty of embarrassing stories about her!

 Robert: I thought you were going to medical school?
Justin: That was last season. This season I really want to run for president!
Robert: You're using again, aren't you?
Justin: Why are you being so harsh, Iron Man?

The TVSA - 11/Aug/2009

[Source]
The TVSA Interview: Luke Macfarlane
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tashi Tagg

Hold onto your siblings B&S junkies! (I couldn't resist:0.)

Brothers & Sisters is back on M-Net this Thursday (13 August at 20h30) for more Walker fadventures (family adventures) after Season 2 ended with Kevin and Scotty getting married.

Actors Luke Macfarlane (who plays hotty Scotty) and Dave Annable (Lustin'-for-Rebecca Justin) visited Cape Town recently - to hang out, check it out and chat about the show.

I caught up with each of them to get the goss on the new season and find out more about them.

They stayed at the schmancy One & Only hotel - where they zap your car from you to park it even when you don't want them too (mine needed a clean) .

Here's what Luke had to say .... (to tune into Dave, please click HERE.)

"I'd like to thank my family"

Tashi: The show's reception and it's winning awards - why do you think it’s had such success?
Luke: I think everyone imagines their family as the Walker family and also, there haven’t been a lot of family drama’s on TV in a long time. Everyone can kinda see their family in different ways, in all the individual moments.

Tashi: Do you see your family?
Luke: Oh yes absolutely, my mother’s like Sally Field very much.

Tashi: I hear you have a twin sister?
Luke: I do.

Tashi: And you have an older sister?
Luke: I do.

Tashi: So who’s side does your twin sister take when there’s a Brothers & Sisters fiasco going on?
Luke: Mmmmm ... my twin sister’s most like Sarah - Rachel Griffith’s character - and my older sister’s most like Kitty (Calista Flockhart). Most of the time we’re on our own side, we’re always warring but my twin sister - she’s my twin so she always has my back.

Tashi: Do you look exactly the same?
Luke: We look nothing alike, my entire family looks like a group of strangers - it’s very strange.

"I need more lines - NOW."

Tashi: Could you tell us more about how the show’s written? Do the writers use their own experiences for the storylines?
Luke: A lot of it has - one of the writers who writes my storyline also writes the storylines for Calista Flockhart. He’s in the process of trying to have a baby and much of his experience with his partner became the exact experience you’ll see Kitty go through in the new season.

Tashi: And the actors? Do you contribute too?
Luke: It’s different - every actor is different that way. I tend to be hands off, I trust that ... you know, so much of my experience on the show has just been about waiting to see what comes to me.

I started off the show not as a series regular and more and more and more came so I’m just gonna sit back and wait to see what comes to me.

I’m not go gonna knock on the door and say “What are you doing with me?” - there are so many actors on the show that I don’t want to be a squeaky wheel.

Tashi: Yes are there are actors going “Argh!” ‘cos you’re getting a bigger role now? *booyakasha sound effect!*
Luke: You didn’t hear it from me. *booyakasha again!* There are so many people on our show, you kinda got to fight for your place.

Tashi: How does it work? If you’re an actor who wants to do more - what do they base the decision on? Your performances? Your role? How do you go about getting increasing your role?
Luke: I think you actually knock on the door of the producer - literally and figuratively. You talk one-on-one. Also there’s the sense that good work begets good work too.

"Mayday! they're gay"

Tashi: Current affairs also influences the storylines a lot?
Luke: Yes, with Kevin and Scotty very much as they’ve gone through the marriage thing, we’ve been through Proposition 8 in California recently. Also Justin going off to war - as many current events that we can bring in, that makes the show as alive as possible.

Tashi: Their marriage is obviously a commentary on all the controversy surrounding gay marriage in the US and also the senator and his attitudes.
Luke: Yeah, it’s a very interesting thing in California - we recently found out that the courts are going to uphold the marriages that did happen so that was nice to know that Kevin and Scotty are still going to be married.

Just after we got married the vote came through and people were wondering “What’s gonna happen with all the people who got married before?” and we’ve just heard that they’re all still married.

Tashi: South Africa’s right up there with Amsterdam when it comes to such things.
Luke: Yes, I just learned that yesterday.

Tashi: I’ve never been certain about how it works in the US - I was reading about it and there’s only about four states where it’s legal.
Luke: Yes, there’s also the difference between state law and federal law ... there’s still a long way to go in the US.

"Do my pecs look big in this?"

Tashi: What of your own experiences do you bring to Scotty?
Luke: I’m patient like Scotty, I guess I’m a good listener - he’s changed a lot though and so have I. It’s a very difficult question to ask an actor because you’re never quite sure. One thing I can say though is that I can’t cook.

Tashi: Snap. When you’re on set and the camera’s are about to roll - what goes through your head? Your lines? Your relationship?
Luke: All of that. That’s what makes acting difficult - you’ve got to think about it all, get to the right marker at the right time, say the right line, turn your head at the right time and you’ve got to feel, you have to have the experience and then you’ve got to think “Gosh - do I look good? Is my hair nice?” *laughs*

BFs (Best faves)

Tashi: Out of the two seasons so far - what’s your all-time fave scene that you’ve played?
Luke: I think it’s definitely the marriage proposal when Kevin asks Scotty to marry him. It was my favourite moment to shoot, my favourite moment to watch - I thought it was a really true and honest moment.

Tashi: And your most difficult?
Luke: My first day on set. It’s always hard because you haven’t quite figured out the character yet so you’re always kind of moving around a little bit.

You’re not quite sure if you’re in the right clothes or hairdo - you’ll see that Scotty looks a lot different and acts a lot different in the early episodes ‘cos I wasn’t even quite sure of him yet.

Tashi: I suppose there was also the thing that you weren’t sure of everyone - like you were joining a family who knew each other.
Luke: Oh very much so it’s like the first day of Grade school when you’re a kid - you want to be popular and cool and pick up with the right people.

Tashi: It's similar to the show too - Scotty coming into the big family and so on.
Luke: Yes except Scotty’s so self-assured - which is something, I’m not as self-assured as him - it’s something I admire about him very much.

Season 3 Sneak Peak

Tashi: Season 3 - what’s in store for Kevotty?
Luke: Well definitely one of the questions that comes up is finances - in most relationships this is the big deal - the thing they say is that one of the main things couples fight about is money.

Kevin’s always been the main breadwinner and Scotty starts to make a little bit more money than Kevin so that challenges him a little bit.

Tashi: It’s good that you’re dealing with money because so many shows don’t. It’s like Prison Break - I once read a story about Prison Break asking where do they get all the money to keep running?? It's so true.
Luke: Money’s boring but it’s an important part of a relationship.

Tashi: Except for Kevin, who’s your fave Walker sibling?
Luke: Scotty gets along with Sarah very very well. She’s wild, she’s got a great sense of humour, also I think Kevin gets along with her well too and you’re always attracted to the sibling your spouse gets along with most.