Enrico Colanton – The Long Arm of the Law

Q.  What are the current projects that you are working on?

A.  “Veronica Mars” takes up most of my time.  Because I’m a peripheral character, sort of, I had a lot of time just sitting around so I started writing.  I like that and it allows me to be creative.  “Veronica Mars” basically takes up my whole time though.

Q.  What can you tell us about the season two premise for “Veronica Mars”?

A.  The premise for season two, nothing, I can’t tell you a damn thing about it.  I can tell you that there is going to be a new big mystery that takes us throughout the season a lot like the Lilly Kane murder.  I can tell you that Keith may or may not be running for sheriff.  There is probably going to be a lot of loose ends tied up from even last season that makes it more interesting.

Q.  How will Keith’s character evolve this season?

A.  Well, he continues his relationship with Wallace’s mom and then something happens.  His relationship with Veronica I think gets a little more intense only because she turns eighteen and is really a grown-up.  So, that dynamic will shift a little bit and she’s a senior in high school so who knows what will become of them.  Transitions are happening.

Q.  Keith and Veronica have a close relationship.  Is this something that will continue or are rocky roads ahead for them?

A.  If I had the choice between what’s interesting and what’s not interesting, I would put a rocky road ahead of them.  That would be interesting, that would make us all fight for it even more.  But, I have no idea, no idea, and consciously so, because I like to watch the show so I ask very few questions about what’s going to be happening in the future.  I sort of live script to script because I like watching it so much that I enjoy being surprised by things as they pop up.

Q.  What originally made you want o be a part of this show?

A.  It was a wonderful pilot script, it was very dark.  It’s unapologetic as anything can possibly be on network TV.  It deals with sort of really dark themes and really benign things, there is a wonderful balance between comedy and drama.  It just is a well written show. 

Q.  Do you have a most memorable moment from filming season 2?

A.  Well, we’re in season two right now, we’ve only done five episodes.  So far my most memorable moment is working with Steve Guttenberg.  He’s a very sweet man and just to think about the body of his work is very exciting to be around.

Q.  The show has gained a lot of popularity but started out slow.  What do you think it is that has sparked so much interest?

A.  The greatest thing we have had might have been the reviews and the critics.  E! Online, E! Television and CBS and all of the people really promoting the crap out of it.  Then, secondly, the people who are watching again, the word of mouth has just been profound.  People are really digging it, they wouldn’t be talking about it if it wasn’t a cool show. 

Q.  Why is it important for you to be a part of the mall tours for the shows promotion?

A.  Well, we want people to know that we see them as well.  We want them to know that we appreciate their loyalty.  Also, we want to, at a grassroots level, let other people that haven’t seen the show know what we’re about.  So, you’re sitting in your living room in San Francisco and you have never heard of the show but you will see a local promotion saying that the cast is going to be at the mall.  You’re going to go over there and check it out and you’re going to go “Hey, they’ve come all the way to San Francisco, they’ve come all the way to Minneapolis, we appreciate that.”  I think that we don’t get a sense of how big our fan base is until we actually meet them like that.  It’s truly remarkable.

Q.  Since being on the show “Just Shoot Me,” have you kept in contact with any of your former cast members?

A.   Yes, every one of them except Davy, he’s the busy one.  But we’ll all have dinner at least once a month and we’ll all check in with each other and stuff.  I’ll text message him and he’ll text message me back.  I just had lunch with Laura, we’re all very, very close, but we’re all sort of busy.  Wendy is off doing a play and she was in New Orleans for a while before the hurricane hit.  So, yeah I know where each one of them are right now.

Q.  You had such great comedic timing on that show, is it something that comes natural to you.  Or were you constantly having to work at it?

A.  Well, I rely really heavily on the writing, if the writing is bad I can’t make a funny face and make it comedic.  I really rely on something that is well written, I give credit to the writer.  If there is plenty in it, I’ll bring it out, but if it’s not, I’m not a stand up, I’m not naturally a funny guy.  I think I’m just able to read text and bring the funny out of things.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A.  Well, I’ve got two kids and I live in the mountains.  So, I do a lot of deep breathing, getting that fresh air, out with the bad and in with the good.  I play hockey, I love hockey, I cook a meal once in a while.  Between that, working and traveling between San Diego, the mountains and Los Angeles, I sleep the rest of the time.

Q.  What is your latest obsession, are you into any particular book, sport or activity?

A.  Hockey is coming back, I’m completely obsessed.  The NHL is back and it’s going to be better than ever.

Q.  What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A.  Thank you so much but the most obvious thing is we appreciate you as much as you appreciate us.  If you ever see me in your local wherever you are, don’t hesitate to come up and say hello.  I want to meet you.