Transcript: Our chat session with Will Arnett
At first Will Arnett appeared in our chatroom as "Gob Bluth," his character on "Arrested Development." That's because his publicist was supposed to assume the name "Will Arnett" and type for his client while they had a bicoastal phone chat (Gob — or, rather, the real Will, in New York) and they were both linked to our chatroom. But then came the inevitable plot complication: Will's rep had tech woes signing in, mayhem worthy of "AD" ensued, and our lively chat revealed juicy tattle. Special thanks to Shannon Horton ("BD Fan") for editing this transcript. Read on:
Tom O'Neil: Hi Gob!
Gob Bluth: hello...just trying to figure this out
Gob Bluth: what's happening?
Bob Loblaw: We'd rather hear what's happening with you.
CherithCutestory: Yeah, we're boring
Gob Bluth: well I'm sitting here in nyc
FlickPaddy: Will how many movies do you have coming up
Gob Bluth: well 3 movies
Tom O'Neil: Tell us about the episodes you chose for your Emmy submission. What are they about and why did you pick them?
Gob Bluth: well, i didn't pick them...
Tom O'Neil: Who did?
Gob Bluth: i didn't think i was going to win, so my publicist did
Gob Bluth: i didn't even know the noms were coming out
Tom O'Neil: NOTE TO EVERYBODY HERE: Will Arnett is signed in as his character on "Arrested Development" -- Gob Bluth
Tom O'Neil: So what happened noms morning? Did you get an early wake up call
Gob Bluth: i was on a plane arriving in Sweden. My phone started to go nuts
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Photo: The TV series "Arrested Development" may be "dead in the water," but Will Arnett says that a movie extension might occur. (Fox)
BC: What's it like being married to one of the funniest people on "Saturday Night Live's”cast, Will?
Gob Bluth: great
CherithCutestory: *The funniest! Let's be honest here
BDFan: are you happy with the eppies your publicist picked?
Gob Bluth: i guess...i can't really say
FlickPaddy: I loved you in Monster-In-Law Bluth
FlickPaddy: That movie was funny. What was it like working with Lopez and Fonda
Gob Bluth: lol
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: who did you think would get nominated and who did you want to get nominated?
Gob Bluth: i wasn't really thinking about it, i thought that jason deserved a nom
BabsonLacrosse: Will, who are some of your comedic influences??
Gob Bluth: steve martin, chevy chase
Tom O'Neil: Will, so whazzup REALLY with Arrested Development. No chance for Showtime or other net to pick it up?
Gob Bluth: no...we're dead in the water
Professor Chaos: Will, do you think an Arrested movie could actually happen?
Gob Bluth: a movie might happen
Noble: I'd love a movie
Dr_Raoul_Duke: Will, do you ever check the boards at The_OP.com? There’s talk of you having posted a while back, highlighting a reference that everyone missed... Is this true?
Gob Bluth: i never posted...i don't think
Tom O'Neil: You have a serious chance of winning best comedy again. You could actually get the last laugh at the Emmys -- literally
Gob Bluth: that would be great...a great vindication
littlesquish89: What's it like working with David Cross/is it hard to keep a straight face around him?
Gob Bluth: cross is the best
FlickPaddy: Will, do you like The Office
FlickPaddy: I Feel it stole a lot from you guys
Gob Bluth: love the office...both of them
Gob Bluth: everyone borrows
Gob Bluth: two word answers
Gob Bluth: steve carrell is hilarious
FlickPaddy: Would you consider television again though Will
Gob Bluth: i'm not sure i would do another show anytime soon
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: did u think David Cross should've gotten a nomination?
Gob Bluth: cross deserved a nom every year, the guy's a genius
FlickPaddy: is a drama in the works, Will?
Gob Bluth: a drama...mmmm...nobody takes me seriously enough...but i would consider sophie's choice 2, "still choosin'"
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: hey you played pedophile!
Gob Bluth: i played a character who HAPPENED to be a pedophile
venom9176: How did you end up landing that guest spot on Will & Grace a few seasons back? I use that line "Like a Sicilian woman's eyebrows, we could not be kept apart" all the time now
Gob Bluth: i did will and grace because i knew one of the writers, and sean hayes and i are friends
FlickPaddy: How does it feel to be nodded together
Gob Bluth: strange
Gob Bluth: we've been goading each other
CherithCutestory: I gotta go, Will, you're amazing and I hope you win!
Gob Bluth: thx
Dr_Raoul_Duke: Hey Will. I’m thinking of starting a bee business. You know, for honey and stuff… The problem is I’m more of an ideas man, and I need someone to run with this…any suggestions?
Gob Bluth: beeeess??
venom9176: lol
Professor Chaos: LOL
Gob Bluth: sorry
Dr_Raoul_Duke: yeah, beeeess
Gob Bluth: beeaadddsss???
littlesquish89: gob's not on board
Dr_Raoul_Duke: yeah, that's what I said
Gob Bluth: it won't stop, my robot is typing this
Tom O'Neil: Will, on Emmy day, will you have an acceptance speech at the ready in case you win -- or just wing it, if it do?
Gob Bluth: i want to wing it tom, but my wife said i have to prepare something
Tom O'Neil: You better listen to your wife
babypook: it'd be hard not listening to your talented wife
becky3306: Have her write it like Steve's wife did
FlickPaddy: Something like Steve Carrell at the Globes
Gob Bluth: yeah, she hates it when folks aren't prepared
venom9176: would amy have made another appearance in Season 3 if it wasn't shortened?
Gob Bluth: for sure she would have
Tom O'Neil: Just think -- it's the clip they'll show over and over on your E! True Hollywood Story -- so it must be memorable
Tom O'Neil: Do what Dustin Hoffman did at the Oscars -- thank your parents for not practising birth control. That kinda thing
Gob Bluth: i know....but it won't really matter, cause i think piven's got it
Gob Bluth: that's what she said
littlesquish89: I'm curious, what plotlines didn't get fully developed or didn't happen at all because of the shortened season?
Gob Bluth: there was a drawing of a crazy machine in the writer's room
FlickPaddy: Do you talk to the other Arrested cast mates?
Gob Bluth: i talk to jason and david all the time
Gob Bluth: i've been doing a voice on david's new animated show
Tom O'Neil: No, not true -- Piven's character is brash and unsympathetic. That often hurts at the Emmys. It's a strange award because it's chosen by jurors, not a popular vote
Tom O'Neil: Gob isn't exactly Mr. Sympathy either, but he's not NASTY ASS all the time
Tom O'Neil: GOB's soft side helps big time
Gob Bluth: gob was a softie at heart
Dr_Raoul_Duke: G.O.B has a definite soft side
Gob Bluth: he was unloved
Guru: Is Amy coming back to SNL next season?
Gob Bluth: yes
Tom O'Neil: I haven't seen your eppies yet, Will, but the posters here who have seen them give you high marks. Winning is all about the episodes. The Emmy is very different from all other showbiz awards
Gob Bluth: thank you for the kind words...mitch wrote such a great character
Gob Bluth: well...i wasn't featured as much season 3...so...who knows
TommyCastro: did you record any commentaries for the third season dvd?
Gob Bluth: yes we just did them
Tom O'Neil: SO LISTEN TO YOUR WIFE AND HAVE AN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH READY JUST IN CASE
Gob Bluth: i will tom...geeze!!!
venom9176: so what about the movie, which apparently really is a possibility. Is it more like, maybe it'll happen at some point in the future or are there really plans in place? It's a big cast to get together.
Gob Bluth: the movie...hmmm
Tom O'Neil: Of course you may not get to the podium alive, if you beat Piven and he strangles you to death in mid-aisle
Noble: Will, pack your speech full of AD references
Gob Bluth: my speech would be in mandarin
Gob Bluth: a billion people speak it
Professor Chaos: Franklin should give your speech!
Gob Bluth: franklin...the movie
Professor Chaos: How's it been working with Will Ferrell?
Gob Bluth: awesome
Gob Bluth: the guy's a tour de force
Boomer: You should get Mitch Hurwitz to write a speech for you.
Gob Bluth: i think he would need to take an honest assessment of himself
Michael Bluth: COME ON!!!!
Tom O'Neil: Great!
Dr_Raoul_Duke: Channel God to the world...It would be your greatest illusion to date
Gob Bluth: yes come on indeed
Tom O'Neil: Then he should come to terms with his higher power
Gob Bluth: david wanted us all to leave the room when we won in 2004...just get up hug each other, and walk the other way
Tom O'Neil: "Wil Arnett" is Will's publicist Lewis. Hi Lewis! It's about time you got here!
Will Arnett: stupid firewall
venom9176: are you completely disillusioned with network TV at this point?
Gob Bluth: ummm...kind of yeah
Bob Loblaw: Will, which of your many upcoming movies are you most excited about?
Gob Bluth: the ambassador!!!!
BabsonLacrosse: Will, do you miss Canada?
Gob Bluth: sure
Michael Bluth: What is your favorite Show
Will Arnett: I will be typing for will so we can get to more answers
Will Arnett: Favorite show is the Office
Tom O'Neil: From now on, Will Arnett = Will Arnett here
Bob Loblaw: Rainn Wilson was a finalist to play GOB.
Will Arnett: Yes Rainn was a finalist...he is a really funny actor
Bob Loblaw: How goes Brothers Solomon?
Will Arnett: BS is hilarious
Will Arnett: will forte wrote the funniest script i have ever read
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: was the chicken dance improvised
littlesquish89: Did you make up the chicken dance?
Will Arnett: i did not make up the chickendance
Will Arnett: i interpreted it
Noble: What's a favourite Arrrested D moment
Will Arnett: when the family got drunk trying to do an intervention for Lucille
Will Arnett: hardest i have ever laughed in my whole life and it was caught on camera
Will Arnett: i laughed for an hour and half afterwards
Michael Bluth: What is your Favorite GOB Quote
Will Arnett: "ta da"
Professor Chaos: What happened with Marta 1. She seems kind of like an inside joke on the commentaries.
Will Arnett: she didnt really work out
Cherith_Cutestory: do you miss Franklin?
Will Arnett: i do miss Franklin
Noble: Where is Franklin now?
Dr_Raoul_Duke: On the streets?
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: what kind of music do you like? bands?
Will Arnett: bulit to spill is my fave band
littlesquish89: did you get to keep any cool props from the show?
Will Arnett: got to keep my watch...
Will Arnett: which is crappy
Bob Loblaw: What do you think of SNL downsizing its cast?
Will Arnett: dont know a lot about the SNL stuff
babypook: do you miss canada, will?
Will Arnett: do miss Canada from time to time
BabsonLacrosse: do you prefer NYC to LA?
Will Arnett: much prefer NYC
Michael Bluth: would you bring Franklin to the EMMYS
Will Arnett: i don’t think Franklin would make it through the metal detector
shyunein: what is your favorite movie?
Will Arnett: right now Shaun of the Dead
Will Arnett: love those guys
babypook: haha! great spoof!
littlesquish89: how did you and Conan come up with "Give me a Breaksville?"
Will Arnett: me and a guy named John Glaser came up with Gimme a breaksville
Dr_Raoul_Duke: You should check out 'Spaced'
Will Arnett: yeah I have watched all of Spaced...it is fantastic
Bob Loblaw: With Conan hosting the Emmys, might you do a bit on the show?
Will Arnett: potentially
Boomer: What was it like working for Ron Howard?
Will Arnett: Ron Howard is such a nice guy and a great boss
venom9176: any chance we'll see you doing guest spots on TV this season?
Will Arnett: no guest spots scheduled....
MaybeSomeSpaghetti: you and Conan should do a movie
Will Arnett: Conan : The Movie
Professor Chaos: Now that you've made the jump to film, are there any directors you'd really like to work with?
Will Arnett: i want to work with Edward Wright
Will Arnett: director of shaun of dead
Will Arnett: we might do something next year
Dr_Raoul_Duke: Would you get into bed with Robert Redford?
Will Arnett: if the lights were off
meagan: how many times did you drop amy shooting blades of glory?
Will Arnett: just the one time...and she was fine
Will Arnett: she is such a cryer
Bob Loblaw: Aren't you doing a couple movies with the Russo brothers?
Will Arnett: russo bros and I are working on a few movies
Will Arnett: hollywood...you know...nothing ever happens
Noble: I'd love to see you on 24
Will Arnett: ok
Professor Chaos: haha
Will Arnett: as an actor?
babypook: were you really on the sopranos? how'd i miss u?
Will Arnett: i had such a small part
dirtystayout: what's your middle name?
Will Arnett: get this my middle name is Emerson...so you guys can call me "Emmy"
Will Arnett: for real
Bob Loblaw: WEA?
Will Arnett: wea...yes?
stunned_mullet: that is fantastic
Tome6: that is an omen.
Tom O'Neil: Then winning an Emmy is DESTINY
Professor Chaos: Will, how long were you in the Uright Citizen's Brigade?
Will Arnett: I was never in UCB...merely a fan
Boomer: In the 3 years, do you have favorite AD episodes?
Will Arnett: my fave AD ep is "Afternoon delight" or Pier Pressure
meagan: Are you in New York to rock the Asssscat anniversary with some monologues?
Will Arnett: I will be at asssscat annive show
Cherith_Cutestory: have you been to the op?
Will Arnett: i have been to the OP...but dont call it that
Boomer: How cool was it working with Henry Winkler?
Will Arnett: hank winkler is the Fonz
Will Arnett: how cool is that?
Will Arnett: maybe the nicest person i have ever met
Will Arnett: could not be more unlike the Fonz
Tom O'Neil: Nicer than Ron Howard?
Will Arnett: well...Tom...Come On!
shyunein: my favorite Gob/Franklin moment is "You've ruined the act, Gob." in the british accent. how bout everyone else?
Will Arnett: you've ruined the act joke was an inside joke between me and Chuck Martin...one of the writers
Will Arnett: my dog puzzle is whining right now because he has to go pee
Tom O'Neil: OK -- we'll letcha go. Thanks for hanging with us
becky3306: what kind of dog?
Will Arnett: 2 dogs
Will Arnett: thanks tom
Will Arnett: other dog is Suki
Will Arnett: 2 more questions
Will Arnett: thanks for all of the well wishes
Cherith_Cutestory: whats your next movie opening up?
Will Arnett: You are Going to Prison on Nov 22nd
Tom O'Neil: OK -- here's mine: Why didn't Arrested Development turn out to be a supersmash hit? What's your theory? Everybody knows it was a brilliant show
Will Arnett: People were tired of being told to watch the show...it became like homework
Will Arnett: Thanks everyone...appreciate it
Tom O'Neil: Wow -- interesting answer
Will Arnett: Thanks, everybody!










Wow, do I ever love Will Arnett.
Posted by: Segway | February 16, 2007 at 05:38 PM