Northeast Oregon TV Weekly
June 20 - 26, 2021 l 3
BY GEORGE DICKIE
Paul Reiser
OF ‘THE KOMINSKY METHOD’ ON NETFLIX
“The Kominsky Method” had a very
emotional ending. How did it hit you?
The idea of somebody getting their big break late
in life is such a mixed, odd blessing. It’s like you
want to root for it but it just brings sadness. And
yeah, when I watched it, I was feeling for Michael.
I was telling somebody that Michael Douglas
has been such a big star for so long, you kind of
take it for granted. And you don’t think of him
necessarily with the flashiest of actors like you
think of De Niro or Pacino ... but he’s so good
and it’s so subtle a lot of what he does. And it was
really an education, sort of like going to acting
class or Kominsky class for me to watch him work
and find the levels and the subtle gradations and
delivery and an energy. And sometimes you don’t
even see it on the set but when you watch it on
camera you go, “Oh, this guy knows what he’s
doing.”
As Martin, you were almost unrecognizable under the prosthetics. How was it for you?
I had a lot of friends go, “Wow, he’s let himself go.” You know, the first meeting I had with Chuck
(Lorre, the show’s creator) ... I didn’t know anything other than, “You’re going to be the old guy
who’s going out with Michael’s daughter.” ... He said, “I just want to let you know, we’re gonna
age you up a little.” I said, “That’s fine.” He said, “We’re gonna give you a gut.” And I went,
“Well, I have my own gut but thank you.” He said, “We’re gonna extend and we’re going to make
you bald.” I said, “Well, the hair is thinning so if you just wait awhile, I can save you some money
and effort.” And he said, “The ponytail.” ...
I would walk around the studio a lot (In Martin garb) and I’d see somebody and I’d wave and they
would look at me like, “I don’t know who that guy is.” ... Then I’d pass a mirror and just go, “Oh
God, it’s my father.” ... I went, “Wowww! There it is. I just saw the future – and the past.”
It’s a mystery
BY JOHN CROOK
Questions:
1) She was a
coroner.
2) Vincent Price
3) Edward
Gorey
4) Tuppence
5) Michael
Gambon
6) Yes, Mirren
won Emmys
for the role
in 1996 and
2007.
7) Inspector
Morse (John
Thaw)
8) P.D. James
Answers:
1) Amanda Burton is well known to TV whodunit fans as Dr. Sam Ryan in the “Silent
Witness” series of mysteries. In what field did Dr. Ryan specialize?
2) What famous horror movie actor preceded Dame Diana Rigg as host during the early
seasons of “Masterpiece Mystery!” (previously known as “Mystery!”)?
3) The witty drawings of this beloved artist have animated the credit sequences of “Mystery!”
for years. Can you name him?
Amanda
4) Married sleuths Tommy and Prudence Beresford
Burton
(James Warwick, Francesca Annis) have solved some of
the cases on “Mystery!” What is Prudence’s nickname?
5) Regarded by some as the world’s greatest character
actor, this Irish thespian portrayed French Inspector
Jules Maigret for PBS. Who is he?
6) Has Helen Mirren ever won an Emmy for her
acclaimed portrayal of Superintendent Jane Tennison in
the “Prime Suspect” episodes of “Mystery!”?
7) What popular Oxford copper never acknowledged
his first name, apparently because it’s so terrible?
8) Roy Marsden brought to complex life Scotland Yard
Commander Adam Dalgliesh, a character created by
what mystery author?