Evan Handler (2016)

A needle, and some sedative, I suppose.

Well, there are a couple of books worth of answers to these very complex questions. Positivity was a challenge. My prognosis was rather bleak. But I also embraced negativity, and anger, and fueled my determination with rage toward those who I felt weren't performing their medical duties properly. I don't think people should be so condemning of those emotions. They can be energizing. Revenge is a strong motivator.

Advice on how to avoid turning into Runkle? Well, I always saw Runkle as an example of what could happen when sexuality is stifled, as opposed to Hank's overindulgence. Charlie's seemed, to me, to be how things blast out of a kinked hose (excuse the expression). They tend to splatter out, in a huge, awkward rush. So, maybe less secret behavior, and more openness?
I dunno...maybe a future in Dr. Phil's business for me?

And....we're off! First question up gets first response. Hats! I have had to curate a collection of hats. Which get dirty inside, on the headband, and I don’t know how to clean them.

This is a fascinating question, and difficult, because I don't know whether I'm supposed to indulge the 12 yr old, or show him the wisdom of his older self. Approached either way, we have sex with the lifeguard at the lake down the road. Preferably before my seventeen year old brother does/did.

Hysterical, and awkward. It was my first, and only, MMF threesome, either fictional, or actual. The first takes, the squirting mechanism (the mechanical one) kept spraying Pamela and Natascha, as they opened the door. Extra creepy fun for them.

I've begun work on a new book proposal. Which is, essentially, like a job application. About trying to get to know Italy, where I became a citizen three years ago, even though I have little reason (other than marriage) to consider myself a citizen.

That's a lot of questions!
I'm working on a new book proposal (see above).
I see David sometimes. Not often.
I loved David and my long night out in Venice episode (with the store hold up, and the tramp stamp)

Huge challenges. How to be funny, when you feel ridiculous and humiliated. How to separate yourself, from the awkwardness of the character. But it was a blast, and I feel/felt very proud of how I pushed through inhibitions to create a character that still makes me laugh.

You tellin' me what I can and what I can't say? I did used to say, "If I couldn't be an actor, I'd be a writer," and I said it long before I'd written anything. So, it was interesting that I had some notion that I'd be able to pick that up. Other than that, I'm really not sure in which direction I might have gone. You know, as a kid I wanted to be an athlete, but that wasn't realistic in the least. I was always interested in the sciences. I married a scientist. She's an artistic scientist, and I'm a scientific artist.

You should have seen what was going on out of frame.

I wrote the story that became Time On Fire specifically because I'd never seen the illness journey that I took described the way I experienced it. I felt I had an urgent story to tell, that couldn't be mine alone, but that no one was telling.
It's Only Temporary was a bit more difficult, as anything less urgent than survival itself will tend to feel like a less urgent story. But the motivation was similar. I'd never seen someone write about the cost of survival. The feeling of loss that can accompany the apparent victory, and staving off of the largest loss. I thought they were important things to write about, and make available to others.

Can you rephrase the question?

None of your business! Next question...

(That was a joke. She's a moderator, who's teaching me.)

Favorite? I'm not sure I have a favorite. I tell me nine year old daughter that I don't do favorites. I was extremely self conscious during the whole Harry Naked episode. I couldn't believe it when I read the script...Harry, naked...over and over. And singing! But it was a real test (and preparation for roles to come), and lesson, in overcoming inhibition.

OJ was the most famous guy I’d ever been around, to that point in my life. When we flew to Puerto Rico, we were told to follow him into a special room at the airport. It was the 1st class lounge, which I’d never known existed before. I thought, “Wow. They have a whole secret airport for OJ Simpson.”
He was very friendly (to me)…hugely popular…very large…very jockish. And, you know, a wife beater, and (future) murderer.

It definitely was…I met and married my own non American, non Jewish, non Show biz, non English as a first language wife during that time. Our first date, we could hardly get to the theater we were going to in Times Square because so many people were swarming me. Women yelling, “Harry, I love you!” This had never happened to me before. I wanted to ask the woman that I already knew I wanted to marry, “Could we part ways, and pick this up again in six months or so?”

So, whattaya mean, “Unlikely” sex symbol?
I’ve always liked snappy clothes. But, I’m also lazy about getting dressed, much less ironing, etc. I can be glimpsed in rags around town. But, the enjoyment for clothes, and some degree of taste was mine. Then, access to Italy, and the rest of Europe (and a few shekels), certainly helped in terms of exposure to nicely styled stuff.

Ha. No. She cares nothing about it. She is fascinated by how Americans sing the national anthem before sporting events, and say "God Bless America" at the end of political speeches. It seems insanely fascistic and theocratic to her (and Italy is actually a Christian nation).

Stephen is truly a legend, and a wonderful, kind, thoughtful man. As to my own trampstamp, I've never thought about it before. But, maybe one of those "wide turn" illustrations that trucks have on the back?

Well, it has immersed me a bit more in the examination of why he was acquitted...what forces came into play. And, from the defense attorney's point of view (Dershowitz, anyway), why he believes even guilty people must go free if certain rights are trampled upon, or procedures not followed.

I shave my head. It gives the most clean-shaved look I know.

Well, I'd had several years of preparation in prior seasons for that one. But, really...the risque nature of Californication was an acting challenge. I remember one night, about two a.m., when I was alone with the crew (about fifteen mostly guys...?), having to do the first Runkle office masturbation montage. It was just, here we go...I need to be funny, no matter how uncomfortable I might feel. Find a way to block out inhibition, and do your thing (so to speak).

No Jager for me, thanks. I loved a lot of Californication. David as a director was always extremely low key, and in command. And, I would say, fertile with ideas. He's an actor, so he'd have a lot of suggestions for behavior.

As long as I don't have to ever watch #3 again, I'm good.
I think #2 has some deeper psychological, relationship dynamics, but also some greater flaws. The story is harder to follow, and I'm not a big Lee Strasberg as an actor fan.

David and I laughed a lot (a lot a lot). There was a dorm room scene, where he blows a shotgun, smoking a joint, that was just so silly we both collapsed laughing.
What would I change? I don't know. Tom Kapinos beats me on the wisdom of storytelling score in every way. I did make jokes. A character once asked Hank, about Charlie, "Is he retarded?" And I would always answer, "Only since season three."

It was the most pleasant atmosphere of any I've worked in. So, I was glad that the longest lasting was also the most fun.

This is a trap question, if not a trick question. The easy answer would be to say D. Duchovny.

I do not miss the ferry. I don't know if it's coincidental, but I wrote a story about the ferry in the book "It's Only Temporary" that makes it less than appealing.
I miss a lot about NY now that I don't live there. I have a spectacular time whenever I'm back, and really feel like I come alive in that city.

You ought to take a read. Each of the books addresses a lot of those issues, from different time periods, and perspectives.

This is a very vaguely worded question. I'm happy to be alive. There was a high cost to the journey. I've written two books about it, because it's not easy to summarize such large events in brief messages. Why? What would you imagine someone might feel?

Alan I knew. He was a good man, and a good friend. I didn't know he was ill. It's very sad.

I stopped counting long ago. I do not know.

Not really. I heard about it, like anyone else. You can read a pretty good summary of some of that info here:

http://www.vulture.com/2016/02/evan-handler-oj-simpson-frogmen-pilot.html

He was a closer friend to other friends of mine. But he was also kind to me.

Yes. We don't see each other often, though I did go to his Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication last month.

A lot of things. I think one of the most frustrating, to me, is the lack of transparency. You know, the discussions that happen prior to being granted a meeting, or audition. The negotiation process. It's all outside your view. In other businesses, people submit their own applications, and negotiate their own terms with their bosses. Actors are kept away from those things, for some good reason, but I'm not sure it's always for the best.