The Lostpedia Interview - Michael Emerson

[lostaddict12]

How are you such a frickin AMAZING actor?!

ok seriously now

You used to act in comedy theater, and now you're playing the best villain (well, good guy) on television. Your presentation of Ben's character is absolutely amazing. How has your portraying of Ben affected your acting experience?

and is Ben your favorite character you've ever played? if you say no, you better watch out.

[Mr. Sharkington]

First of all I'd like to thank you for making what was already the best show on TV even better!

Lost has always been known for their steamy love scenes and fans love to speculate as to who will hook up with who.

My question is will Ben get his love scene before the show is over, and who would you like it to be with?

Thanks!

Mr. Sharkington

[bengale]

On behalf of the Michael Emerson Fan Board, at http://michaelemerson.proboards21.com/index.cgi

If Ben can really never return home after turning the wheel, are you concerned that Ben could be killed off after he gets the Oceanic 6 back on the island- or are you still confident he'll survive for the final on island showdowns? Are you also afraid you won't share any scenes with Terry O Quinn in Season 5 now that Locke's in the coffin?

[bpc908]

My Question is:

What is it like to portray a person that the viewers cannot tell if he is on the side of Good or the side of evil?

[Stupot]

Hi Michael,
Ben Linus gets all the best lines.
What is it like seeing each script for the first time?

[eleganteros]

I guess I have a couple questions for the fantastic Mr. Emerson-

1. You mentioned in a recent article that, during the filming of The Shape of Things to Come (the first episode after the writer's strike), that you had to do things that were outside your comfort zone. I think you mentioned things like riding the horse in the Sahara scene and playing the piano. Have there been other instants on "Lost" that the writers had Ben do or say something that were outside your comfort zone?

2. What's it like being beat up so much? I swear, any time you're with the airplane survivors, you're bloodied up. Does that get a bit tiring?

3. Which do you prefer- Island Ben or Flash Forward Ben? Ben has undergone some changes and the man he is in the flash forwards is not the same as on the Island.

[Rrraptor]

After LOST is over and done, you've finished your part on the show as Benjamin Linus, and you're at home, watching the DVD's of previous seasons, would you be able to deposition yourself from the character? In other words, would you be able to enjoy the show as a fan does, and see Ben not as Michael Emerson's portrayal, but as the creepy, mysterious Mr. Linus himself?

I feel like it would be extremely challenging (for me, anyway) to watch yourself act on a show as big and substantial as LOST and not become a self-critic. Do you occasionally think you should have said that line a different way or gave an ice-cold stare instead of a softer one, while watching the show as it appears on TV?

Thanks, Michael.

[A Dawg]

If I ever met Michael Emerson in real life all I would need to ask is,

"Can I get a Roll Tide?"

I wouldn't mind if you asked it for me

[bayouotter]

I know that the actors do not know ahead of time the direction of the script - what is the most surprising thing you have learned about your own character?

- John from Orlando

[Raydogg57]

Ben seemed to be one of the more popular guesses by fans about who would be in the coffin in the season 4 finale. How far in advance did Carlton or Damon inform you that it wasn't going to be your character - or did they leave you in the dark right until it came time to start filming the final episodes? Is it typical of them to keep these plot twists from the cast until it is absolutely necessary (even for actors who play integral characters like yourself?).