Sara Ramirez – Doc Hollywood

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

A) I am only working on “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Q) Please tell us about your character, Dr. Callie Torres, on the show “Grey’s Anatomy.” 

A) All I can really say is that her name is Callie Torres and she’s an orthopedic surgeon.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I was a big fan of the show, actually, before I got a chance to work on it. I had, definitely, brought it up to my folks (my agents and the people that represent me) that I’d love to be on a show like that. It just so happens that because of being in the play “Spamalot” and getting the exposure, that the people that run things over at ABC and Touchtone saw me and they felt that I might be valuable on one of their shows. They approached me about “Grey’s Anatomy” and it was very serendipitous. I guess it was meant to be, but I am not quite sure. It was not like any other process I’ve been through.

Q) What is it about the show that continues to draw viewers in?

A) I think it is the fact that people can relate. I think it’s like therapy for an hour for forty million people! People watch the show and when we sit around and read an episode, I look at the producers and go, “Oh my God! This is like therapy! I hear a lot of universal truths and I see people like me, people with flaws and ‘normal’ that are real.” Some story lines are a little more out there than others, but it always comes back to this very accessible writing and characters that you love and grow to care about. I think the show succeeds for those reasons. So much of TV now is reality television that it is now fun to actually watch a show where crazy things are happening and you actually believe the characters and are invested in them. Some how, the characters suck you in and it’s pretty brilliant, I think. It’s a really beautiful show to watch, the lighting is very artful!

Q) Your character and George (T.R. Knight) are rumored to have crushes on each other. How do you really feel about office romances?

A) Office romances have been known, throughout history, to potentially bring problems into the work place. Personally, in my life, I have come across those challenges, made some decisions, mistakes and some choices I probably shouldn’t have. You, hopefully, try to take it by a case-by-case basis. I think what is universally known is that relationships in the office place bring a lot of challenges within those relationships. They can sort of blur the relationships a little bit.

Q) Does the cast have a lot of chemistry off the set as well as they seem to have on set?

A) I think that there is a mutual respect and admiration that goes on all over the place at all times. That’s a beautiful thing and a great foundation for any relationship, whether you are working with people or not working with people.

Q) You recently starred as the Lady of the Lake in the play “Spamalot.” What was it like working with Eric Idol?

A) Eric Idol is a genius! He is so funny, silly, smart, witty, self-deprecating and is a very complex man! He really understands how important it is to enjoy your life. Especially in this day and age, the notion that we can go at any time is something that people are so aware of right now. So, it’s wonderful to meet a person who really gets that and through his sense of humor and his love for song, theater, entertainment and making people laugh that he is able to create these incredible projects that enforce what is most important to us in life.

Q) You won a Tony award for your role in “Spamalot” and the Outer Critics Circle Award, as well. How did that make you feel?

A) I felt very excited and grateful! I felt proud, especially because awards like that are sometimes really a sign of how hard people are working together and a collaborative process. In my case, I felt that I was accepting the award on behalf of a lot of very hard working people that often go unnoticed. So, I felt elated, and for my mother, too. I felt very excited and very happy for her because she worked so hard to support me, literally as well as figuratively and monetarily as well as emotionally. I felt all of those things and really excited, nervous and overwhelmed. I was just hoping I could make it up to the podium in my dress!

Q) Why did you decide to switch from working on stage to television?

A) It was highly intimidating at first. Any time you are entering an unknown territory you feel somewhat behind and there is a lot I’m learning. I was really excited for the challenge, but really wanted to prove to myself that I could do a somewhat decent job in a position like this, certainly for my mom’s sake to make her proud. Mainly, though, it’s my life. I’m enjoying the challenge though!

Q) What do you do in your spare time?

A) I try to do things that make me feel good, happy, productive and all of those things. I will read, go for walks and there might be other interviews I have to do. I do a lot of reading, emailing my friends or calling them (since I miss my friends in New York so much) and I visit my family who lives near by in San Diego. I’ll go see movies and try to visit friends in LA. I do regular people activities like go shopping, do my laundry, etc. There are always things to be done! Occasionally, I love to show up at events like the NAACP Awards. That was really exciting! I lend support to organizations that I have really grown to appreciate and respect. I am trying, actually, to get more into that these days.

Q) What is your latest obsession?

A) I am really into my Ipod nano. It’s so materialistic, but it really makes listening to music so much easier. I love listening to music so much that I’m able to really walk around and hear all my stuff without carrying a bunch of CDs.

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

A) I would just like to say thank you for appreciating what I do and I’m lucky and grateful. I hope that I will continue to entertain those who feel entertained!