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Meeting Fringe’s Mad Scientist

John Noble (Walter Bishop on Fringe) with Nalts

As a result of this Fringe Walter-Bishop song parody video, I had the pleasure of meeting actor John Noble and his fellow cast members from Fringe (a new Fox show I adore). I shot some fun footage with the cast at ComicCon NYC today, and got some parody acting tips from the cast. The actors, their families, and handlers were remarkably approachable, and rolled with my very atypical interview style.

Anna Torv (Olivia) didn’t show up until the panel, but I’m quite sure she would have maced me. She seemed a bit more tentative or introverted than her cast mates, but it was nice to see her smile… on the show she’s pensive and intense. 

I’ve finally figured out what was so unusual about meeting the Fringe actors today, and the video will make it clear to you if you watch the show. Since the show is intense, it’s refreshing to see the actors relax and joke around. I think we Fringe fans would all enjoy seeing bloopers and “behind the scenes” footage, and I truly don’t believe it will make the show any less magical. Tonight I watched some clips of Fringe, and it was no less frightening than before seeing Mickey Mouse out of costume. 

One of my child-like questions prompted Noble to shout “sorry everyone- he’s really pissing me off” in a wonderful Walter-Bishop-like Hurbult tantrum. It brought absolute silence to the room, and Walter’s agent was rather concerned. Luckily, before I was escorted out the building, people realized he was acting (I begged each cast member to pull a “Christian Bale” fit, but they were just too darned nice). 

Really, though…. how often do you get to discuss your wife’s diarrhea with Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson)? Or tell Blair Brown she’s not the bitch you would have expected? Or tell Lance Reddick, in jest, that Anna Torv is ugly, and have him correct you with, “We like to say she’s “girl next door.” 

If you’re not watching Fringe yet, I suggest catching up on Fox.com/fringe. Unlike Lost (by the same producer, JJ. Abrams), each Fringe episode has a self-sustaining plot. But regular viewers get a lagniappe in the form of  secret codes in the form of graphics, a recurring hidden character, and even clues to the next episode’s plot.

Fringe works for me because it’s a combination of psychology, Michael Crichton-like science fiction, thriller, and subtle comedy. It’s a bit gory for some, but I quite enjoy being terrified and tickled in one sitting. 

I’ll post the video soon at www.youtube.com/nalts, and I believe it needs to end with Joshua’s answer to my request to play a corpse on Fringe’s season two.

Common, Fringe casting peeps. I know you’re back in production in NYC, and I’ll carry cables and work craft services for the chance to be an extra, a corpse or even stand-in for The Observer  (my bald head is ready).