Post by Flamingo on Sept 21, 2003 10:49:17 GMT
Martin Sheen 'Takes Five'
Sheen keeps his secrets, sticks to his causes
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Sept. 20, 2003
He's not the president, he just plays one on TV, but it seems that Martin Sheen can turn heads the same way George W. Bush can. Sheen was in Milwaukee on Friday getting an honorary doctor of letters degree from Marquette University during the dedication of the school's new library. The actor, who is well-known for his liberal views, plays President Josiah Bartlet on TV's "The West Wing." The show ended in a cliffhanger last season with the president's daughter being kidnapped and Bartlet temporarily stepping out of his position. On Friday, Sheen toured the library, which he praised as being not a "fossil," and he took time to meet with students. Marquette was honoring Sheen for his support of the Catholic Worker movement, something the actor said has affected his views and his life for decades. Sheen, who's supporting Howard Dean in the real life race for the presidency, took a few moments (OK, more than a few, he called himself a "windbag") to talk to Journal Sentinel reporter Nahal Toosi.
Martin Sheen
'Takes Five'
Photo/Tom Lynn
Martin Sheen
Q. What effect has Aaron Sorkin's departure had on "The West Wing"?
A. Well, when he announced his departure, with Tommy Schlamme, because they were the original people along with John Wells - but Aaron created it, of course - we were like orphans. We were just so shocked. The two of them at once was a severe blow and caused a great deal of concern. But we pledged our support to John Wells because we knew his commitment to excellence. He sure knew the show; it wasn't like they were bringing in another writer. We knew from whence he came, and we knew where he was going to go. But it wasn't until a few days ago when we saw the first episode . . . it is one of the best episodes we've ever done, and I love bragging about it. And bring some Kleenex. It is powerful.
Q. So what happens to the president's daughter?
A. Well, I won't tell you that, because you won't tune in and it'll spoil it for you. But it gets really interesting. It ends with a montage from the situation room to the Mass - there's a Mass for the family. . . . You're going to be really deeply moved, I promise you.
Q. If you were actually president and you had to pick a country to invade, which one would you pick?
A. (Laughs) Well, it's not possible for me to imagine myself president, only on "The West Wing," but it's a fantasy. I wouldn't invade anybody. I'm a pacifist. I could never be a president, because I won't kill for you. And that's the fundamental requirement of a president. . . . But in my fantasies, I can have an effect on maybe social justice, the environment, the elderly, the homeless, all those issues. I have no interest in politics per se, I mean, I'm touched by it like anyone else, but my concern is social justice and peace.
Q. Any thoughts on the California recall, and, more specifically, would Arnold Schwarzenegger make a good governor?
A. No. Arnold is a very sweet man, but he's not a public servant. He has no experience in this arena at all. He's too wealthy, he's too independent, he's too big a star, and he belongs in the movies, not in the statehouse. This whole recall effort is an effort from the White House to take California because they know there's a slim chance they're going to get Florida. . . . This is Karl Rove, this is G.W. Bush and that crowd. Take California and you've got 54 electoral votes . . .
Q. Should the general public care about what Hollywood actors think?
A. Frankly, I don't care. But you guys are the ones. You wonder why people are paying any attention to us at all; it's not that they're calling us up personally. They're getting it from you. It's the press. You either have us on the front page or in the gossip section; you choose which way you're going to go. You give us credibility, and you deny us credibility. I was a longtime activist before I was an actor, and I was a human being before I was anything else. I am responding to my human needs. My journey is not political. It's spiritual, it's what I do because I cannot not do it and know myself. It's about social justice and peace, which I would do if I were a gardener or a professional golfer. It doesn't matter. The fact that I'm an actor and some of the others who have voiced their opinions are actors should not be discounted. For God's sakes, we sent a guy to the White House and he's revered. He was an actor, Mr. Reagan.
Sheen keeps his secrets, sticks to his causes
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Last Updated: Sept. 20, 2003
He's not the president, he just plays one on TV, but it seems that Martin Sheen can turn heads the same way George W. Bush can. Sheen was in Milwaukee on Friday getting an honorary doctor of letters degree from Marquette University during the dedication of the school's new library. The actor, who is well-known for his liberal views, plays President Josiah Bartlet on TV's "The West Wing." The show ended in a cliffhanger last season with the president's daughter being kidnapped and Bartlet temporarily stepping out of his position. On Friday, Sheen toured the library, which he praised as being not a "fossil," and he took time to meet with students. Marquette was honoring Sheen for his support of the Catholic Worker movement, something the actor said has affected his views and his life for decades. Sheen, who's supporting Howard Dean in the real life race for the presidency, took a few moments (OK, more than a few, he called himself a "windbag") to talk to Journal Sentinel reporter Nahal Toosi.
Martin Sheen
'Takes Five'
Photo/Tom Lynn
Martin Sheen
Q. What effect has Aaron Sorkin's departure had on "The West Wing"?
A. Well, when he announced his departure, with Tommy Schlamme, because they were the original people along with John Wells - but Aaron created it, of course - we were like orphans. We were just so shocked. The two of them at once was a severe blow and caused a great deal of concern. But we pledged our support to John Wells because we knew his commitment to excellence. He sure knew the show; it wasn't like they were bringing in another writer. We knew from whence he came, and we knew where he was going to go. But it wasn't until a few days ago when we saw the first episode . . . it is one of the best episodes we've ever done, and I love bragging about it. And bring some Kleenex. It is powerful.
Q. So what happens to the president's daughter?
A. Well, I won't tell you that, because you won't tune in and it'll spoil it for you. But it gets really interesting. It ends with a montage from the situation room to the Mass - there's a Mass for the family. . . . You're going to be really deeply moved, I promise you.
Q. If you were actually president and you had to pick a country to invade, which one would you pick?
A. (Laughs) Well, it's not possible for me to imagine myself president, only on "The West Wing," but it's a fantasy. I wouldn't invade anybody. I'm a pacifist. I could never be a president, because I won't kill for you. And that's the fundamental requirement of a president. . . . But in my fantasies, I can have an effect on maybe social justice, the environment, the elderly, the homeless, all those issues. I have no interest in politics per se, I mean, I'm touched by it like anyone else, but my concern is social justice and peace.
Q. Any thoughts on the California recall, and, more specifically, would Arnold Schwarzenegger make a good governor?
A. No. Arnold is a very sweet man, but he's not a public servant. He has no experience in this arena at all. He's too wealthy, he's too independent, he's too big a star, and he belongs in the movies, not in the statehouse. This whole recall effort is an effort from the White House to take California because they know there's a slim chance they're going to get Florida. . . . This is Karl Rove, this is G.W. Bush and that crowd. Take California and you've got 54 electoral votes . . .
Q. Should the general public care about what Hollywood actors think?
A. Frankly, I don't care. But you guys are the ones. You wonder why people are paying any attention to us at all; it's not that they're calling us up personally. They're getting it from you. It's the press. You either have us on the front page or in the gossip section; you choose which way you're going to go. You give us credibility, and you deny us credibility. I was a longtime activist before I was an actor, and I was a human being before I was anything else. I am responding to my human needs. My journey is not political. It's spiritual, it's what I do because I cannot not do it and know myself. It's about social justice and peace, which I would do if I were a gardener or a professional golfer. It doesn't matter. The fact that I'm an actor and some of the others who have voiced their opinions are actors should not be discounted. For God's sakes, we sent a guy to the White House and he's revered. He was an actor, Mr. Reagan.