Local News
Tamala Jones: The ‘Castle’ Interview
TJ: I read a lot of coroner books and I
also watched a lot of reality crime shows
like “Dr. G: Medical Examiner,” “The First
48” and “Forensic Files.”
Kam Williams
Special To The Skanner News
T
amala Jones has created a varied
career based on her prodigious talent,
working steadily in comedic and dra-
matic projects for both film and television.
At 20 she made her feature film debut in
“How to Make an American Quilt” as the
great-grandmother of Maya Angelou's char-
acter. That same year, she racked up televi-
sion roles in “The Wayans Bros.,” “The
Parent 'Hood” and “The Fresh Prince of
Bel-Air,” as well as a recurring role as
Joanie on “ER.” From there she joined the
regular cast of the ABC drama “Dangerous
Minds,” which gave her a chance to show
her dramatic chops as a teenage mother fac-
ing parenthood and an abusive spouse.
In 1997 Jones landed a supporting role in
the popular comedy “Booty Call” and a
recurring turn on “Veronica's Closet.” She
was next featured in the teen comedy “Can't
Hardly Wait.” That same year she was cast
in a more grown-up role as a divorcee on
“For Your Love,” showcasing a winning
combination of irreverent moxie and sur-
prising sweetness.
Jones was featured in both the romantic
drama “The Wood” and the action comedy
“Blue Streak,” then was seen in the musical
drama “Turn it Up” and the comedies “The
Ladies Man” and “Next Friday.” On televi-
sion, she amassed credits that included a
turn as Lucille of rock song fame in the
biopic “Little Richard.”
In 2001 she renewed her focus on the big
screen in supporting roles in the African-
American ensemble features “The Broth-
ers” and “Kingdom Come,” which gave her
the opportunity to create characters while
working alongside more experienced per-
formers. Later that year Jones was one of
the women being schooled in the manage-
ment of men by Vivica A. Fox's savvy but
stumped character in the comedy, “Two Can
Play That Game,” and in “On the Line” she
had a turn as an ambitious and controlling
advertising executive who clashes with the
idealistic hero, portrayed by *NSYNC's
Lance Bass.
In 2003 she worked opposite Chris Rock
in “Head of State” and had a co-starring role
as the wife of Traci Morgan in the self titled
“Traci Morgan Show.” Since then, Jones
has co-produced an independent movie,
“Nora's Hair Salon,” and starred in several
more films, two of which were “Daddy Day
Camp,” with Cuba Gooding Jr., and “Janky
C
O
M
KW: During the show’s third season,
Lanie had a relationship with Detective
Esposito, but they later broke up. Is there
another romance in store for her this sea-
son?
TJ: I really don’t know. [Executive pro-
ducer and screenwriter] Andrew Marlowe is
very secretive about what he has in store, so
I have to wait and see what’s going to hap-
pen along with all you guys.
KW: You’ve done a lot of movies and TV
shows. Which is your preference?
TJ: I love them both; I don’t have a pref-
erence. I wish I could do them both at the
same time.
Tamala Jones
Don’t feel like you
have to change who
you are to be
successful. As long as
you’re true to yourself
and you never give
up, you will succeed
KW: How about drama versus comedy?
TJ: I love comedy, because I’m naturally
a very silly person.
KW: Who would you like to paired oppo-
site in a romantic comedy?
TJ: Bradley Cooper!
Promoters,” opposite Mike Epps.
In late 2009 she appeared on the big
screen in the Oscar-nominated feature “Up
in the Air,” with George Clooney. In 2010
she completed post production on another
independent film she co-produced entitled
“35 and Ticking,” in which she also stars
alongside Nicole Ari Parker, Keith Robin-
son and Wendy Raquel Robinson.
Kam Williams: Hi, Tamala, thanks for
the interview.
Tamala Jones: My pleasure!
KW: What interested you in Castle?
TJ: Playing a doctor because it was some-
thing that I’d never done before. And
Nathan Fillion. I’d watched him and fol-
lowed his whole career. He’s a great guy!
KW: Tell me a little about your character,
Dr. Lanie Parish.
TJ: She’s sassy, she knows her stuff, and
she doesn’t play around.
KW: What type of research did you do to
prepare for the role?
M
U
N
I
T
Y
KW: What film director would you like to
work with?
TJ: Steven Spielberg. I love him. I respect
him. And he gave us E.T.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you
ever afraid?
TJ: Yes. I’m afraid that I won’t do a good
job when I go into an audition.
KW: The Columbus Short question: Are
you happy?
TJ: Yes!
KW: The Teri Emerson question: When
was the last time you had a good laugh?
TJ: Just the other day. A friend of mine
made me watch a video on Youtube, “Hot
Cheetos and Takis.” I don’t know what a
Taki is but those kids were rocking out and
that was so funny to me.
KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?
TJ: Laying in bed and sleeping all day.
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson ques-
tion: What was the last book you read?
TJ: “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
C
A
L
E
N
KW: The music maven Heather Coving-
ton question: What was the last song you
listened to?
TJ: Tammi Terrell’s “All I Do Is Think
about You.”
KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
TJ: Macaroni and cheese.
KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What
excites you?
TJ: Hopping on a plane and going to dis-
cover a new island I haven’t been to before.
KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is
your favorite clothes designer?
TJ: I love Yves Saint Laurent. I love
Chanel. And Versace! Such beautiful
gowns!
KW: Dante Lee, author of "Black Busi-
ness Secrets,” asks: What was the best busi-
ness decision you ever made, and what was
the worst?
TJ: I made the best business decision at
14 when I decided to get into acting. The
worst was owning 2 homes at the same
time.
KW: The Michael Ealy question: If you
could meet any historical figure, who would
it be?
TJ: Abraham Lincoln. I really want to
talk to him and understand why he wanted
to free the slaves. The real reason, not the
one stated in history books.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what
do you see?
TJ: A silly, crazy girl living in a woman’s
body.
KW: If you could have one wish instant-
ly granted, what would that be for?
TJ: To end hate and world hunger.
KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is
your earliest childhood memory?
TJ: Making up stories and playing them
out in the backyard. That was my favorite
pastime.
KW: The Kerry Washington question: If
you were an animal, what animal would you
be?
TJ: A Tiger!
Read the rest of this story online at
www.theskanner.com
D
A
R
S EATTLE 2012
– 4 p.m. 21106 85th Ave. SE Snohomish, WA FREE
SEATTLE CIVIC CHRISTMAS SHIP – MEYDENBAUER
BEACH PARK. Come with family and friends
together to marvel at the parade of boats as
they come by the beach. 8 p.m. Meydenbauer
Beach Park, 419 98th Ave. NE.
If you have an event you want to share
with the community, email it two weeks
in advance to The Skanner at
info@theskanner.com
Friday December 14
NIGHTTIME AT THE BEACH. Bring your family and
friends for a beach adventure by flashlight. This
program is for adults and families with children 6
and older. Please dress for the weather. $5 per
person. 9– 11 p.m. Discovery Park Environmental
Learning Center, 3801 W. Government Way.
Page 2 The Seattle Skanner December 12, 2012
Saturday December 15
BIZARRE BAZAAR. Come down and feast your
eyes and pocketbooks on all of the cool things
that the Canoe Members make and sell. 11 a.m.
– 5 p.m. Canoe Social Club, 417 E. Loretta Pl.
Free for all to enjoy and shop.
YO HO HO! HOLIDAY FEST. Snoqualmie Ice Cream
& The Pirates of Treasure Island are hosting a
food & toy drive for the SeaFair Holiday Treasure
Chest. Ice Cream, hot cocoa, music, activities
and much more. 1 new toy or 3 cans of food
gets you a free soft serve ice cream cone. Noon
Tuesday December 18
WALK WITH A DOC. Join neighbors and
community members for a fun walk in the park.
Hosted by Dr. Ken Elam. The doctor will speak for
a few minutes then will walk with everyone. 10
a.m. – 11 a.m. University Playground, 9th Ave. NE
& NE 50th St. Seattle.
Saturday December 22
SEE SANTA. Join us at the Seattle Children’s
Museum as we welcome Santa. We’ve added
some activities and decoration to the mountain
to make him feel more at home. 11 a.m. – 1
p.m. $4.50 per adult, $6.50 per child and $6.50
per grandparent. 305 Harrison St.