Stephen Tobolowsky – Strange Nature

By starrymag | October 18, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I just finished Season three of “One Day at a Time” for Netflix. It is a wonderful show. I occasionally get to play on “The Goldbergs,” which is always fun. I am also taking more time to write. I have two books of short stories for Simon and Schuster out there: The Dangerous Animals Club and My Adventures with God. I have been in forty-five cities in the last several months doing book tour events.

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Strange Nature.

 

A) Strange Nature is a science fiction story of the very dangerous possibilities of unintended consequences. I fear that it is more science than fiction. Without spoiling – we usually look in the wrong places to see the end of the world coming. It could be closer than we think.

 

 

Q) How was your character Mayor Paulson originally described to you?

 

A) It wasn’t. Jim Ojala, our director, sent me the script. I read it and liked it. I was working on “Silicon Valley” at the time but had a little window to shoot something else. Mayor Paulson is a small but important role. Every science fiction film has the obligatory scene where our heroes go to an authority figure (the police, the government) for help – which they never get. Strange Nature goes a different way – which I found refreshing and fun.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to her that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

 

A) I wouldn’t say I added anything. I took what the script implied and went with it. Sometimes in life we encounter things we don’t believe – that don’t make sense, but we act on it anyway. Why? Maybe it happens when we “feel” something is true even though we know it is impossible. I was impressed by the mystery in the script and the way Mayor Paulson confronts it.

 

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the film?

 

A) I never worked with anyone in the film before – including Jim. But I knew his work. Experience has taught me that often filmmakers who have specialties: digital effects, choreography, CG – are great directors. They know what shots they need, and they see actors as collaborators and not adversaries.

 

 

Q) You often shine in comedic roles. What made you want to take them on?

 

A) Comedy only exists when it tells the truth in some way. The same thing can be said about science fiction. They are not that dissimilar.

 

 

Q) What advice did director James Ojala offer you while shooting that you took to heart?

 

A) Jim was happy with the take I had on the Mayor. In any science fiction film you have to have one person that portrays “the world” – us regular folks listening and watching – like John Krasinski who played Jim on “The Office.” Some character has to represent us and see the unbelievable and instruct us how to view it. I chose to listen, to doubt, to have compassion and maybe to believe. Jim encouraged me to go for it.

 

 

Q) What were some of your favorite behind the scenes moments from working on the movie?

 

A) Eating. Seriously. I had recently had open-heart surgery – for real. My wife Ann, who was in the film, as well as Jim and his wife Beth, wanted me to be safe. They went to extraordinary lengths to make sure I got well-prepared, heart-healthy food on the set instead of the cheeseburgers and fried tater tots they usually give you. It was very sweet. Also, I got to experience Duluth, an extraordinarily beautiful city. It was a real surprise.

 

 

Q) You’ve been a part of a number of iconic films and series. What have been some of your favorite roles?

 

A) Certainly Groundhog Day has to top the list – a great script with a great cast and crew led by Harold Ramis. Working with our generation’s great directors like Alan Parker on Mississippi Burning and Ridley Scott on Thelma and Louise were great moments for me. “Deadwood” is unforgettable for the horrors of making it – the greatness of the final product and the inspired nuttiness of David Milch. Currently, it is hard to beat “One Day at a Time” and working with the great Norman Lear and a cast that is one of the best I have ever played with.

 

 

Q) We love watching your neurotic doctor charm us on “One Day at a Time,” what do you think it is that has endeared him to both Lydia and the viewers?

 

A) We don’t need our heroes to win the war – we just need them to win the moment. “One Day at a Time” has a series of hilarious and heartbreaking characters that can find a flower of victory in a field of weeds. Dr. Berkowitz has encountered the worst life can dish out – his wife left him. His children hate him. He has never been a success at anything, BUT he understands that love conquers all – and he keeps trying.

 

 

Q) There are so many incredible upcoming guest stars this season on “One Day at a Time,” which guest stars did you geek out over the most?

 

A) I am not sure I am at liberty to answer that question. I will say that my geek gene was very pleased that the objects of my geekdom were kind, generous and very, very good in the show.

 

 

Q) Shows like “One Day at a Time” push boundaries and provide an important focus on diversity and are unapologetic about it.  How does Netflix and the writers for “One Day at a Time” understand the need for this and how can we translate this to mainstream TV?

 

A) That is the beauty of the show. It is something that has always been a part of the Norman Lear world-view. The show never preaches. That enables “One Day” to take on current topics without being overtly political. We experience a hot button issue on the personal level. We encounter it with out heart and with laughter instead of political rhetoric.

 

Take addiction. Our show has been able to present various sides of this horror with humor and heartbreak. That is because the writers seem to know what they are talking about.  Also, our head writers and show runners, Gloria Calderon–Kellett and Mike Royce are very, very good.

 

 

Q) You’re a part of social media. Do you enjoy the fan feedback you receive to the various roles you play?

 

A) I do. But that is because I usually get comments from fellow geeks like me who love movies and show business.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I am lucky man to have had you in my corner.

 

STRANGE NATURE is playing at the Twin Cities Fall Fest in Minnesota on October 19