Primetime Emmy® nominee and Daytime Emmy winner Heche and Emmy winner and Oscar® nominee Hirsch have joined the cast of Silent Witness, based on the book by Richard North Patterson. The movie stars Dermot Mulroney (Zodiak, Copycat) as prominent defense attorney Tony Lord, who returns to his hometown to defend the teacher, played by Michael Cudlitz (TNT’s Southland). Tony’s involvement re-opens the heartache from his own high school days, when he was a student falsely accused of murdering his first love. Heche will play Sue Robb, the wife of the accused, while Hirsch will play Tony’s longtime friend Saul Rubin, who helps him on the case.

Silent Witness is set to premiere Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). Lizzie Friedman and Greg Little, the team behind One Lucky Elephant, Whiz Kids and Sex and Death 101, serve as executive producers along with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!). Peter Markle (Bat*21, Flight 93) is set to direct from a script by Thomas Michael Donnelly (Our Fathers).

Emmy nominee Devane, Welliver and Mathew will join Catherine Bell (JAG, Army Wives) in Good Morning, Killer, which is being adapted by April Smith from her own novel. Devane will play Everett Morgan “Poppy” Gray, the grandfather of Bell’s FBI Special Agent Ana Gray, an undercover operative tracking down a serial kidnapper. Welliver will play FBI Special Agent Mike Donato, Ana Gray’s FBI partner. And Mathew will play FBI Special Agent Barbara Sullivan, Ana’s best friend at the bureau. Cole Hauser (Chase, K-Ville) co-stars in Good Morning, Killer as Detective Andrew Berringer.

Good Morning, Killer is slated to premiere Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). In addition to writing the screenplay, Smith is set executive-produce Good Morning, Killer with Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice). Maggie Greenwald (Songcatcher, The Ballad of Little Jo) will direct.

The TNT Mystery Movie Night will launch Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) with Scott Turow’s Innocent, starring Bill Pullman, Marcia Gay Harden, Alfred Molina, Richard Schiff, Tahmoh Penikett, Callard Harris and Mariana Klaveno. The showcase will also feature Kathy Najimy, Scottie Thompson and Jane Alexander in Deck the Halls, based on the book by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark; John Corbett, Julie Benz, Kelly Overton, Gary Cole and Haaz Sleiman in Ricochet, based on the bestseller by Sandra Brown; and Carla Gugino, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kevin Alejandro and Bridget Regan in Hide, based on a book by Lisa Gardner.

Southland Regular Cast

In a press release today, the TNT Network has announced its fall and winter television schedule, including the premiere date for Season 4 for the hit drama Southland.

The hit show will return to the air for it’s 4th season on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at its usual 10pm time slot.

Returning for the 4th season will be series regulars and fan favorites Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie, Regina King and Shawn Hatosy. Also joining the cast this season will be Lucy Liu in a recurring role as an LAPD officer, although exact details on her role have not yet been released (the writers only returned to work a couple of weeks ago, so of course they are keeping details extremely close).

Southland has redefined the police drama genre with a raw, authentic look at the lives and work of detectives and beat cops. In its second season, Southland grew its audience by a sweeping 8%.

Southland, a production of TNT and John Wells Productions (ER, The West Wing, Shameless), is known for being the non-traditional police drama that brings to life the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as well as accurately depicting the LAPD and its technicalskills. In fact, it is frequently praised by current and past members of the LAPD for ts realistic depictions. Originally created for NBC, the show moved to TNT after it was cancelled by NBC following its extremely short spring season 1.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.  TNT is currently the largest advertiser supported basic cable network.

Note – while information for this article was obtained from an official TNT press release, the article itself was written and prepared by the SouthlandTvFans.com Editor. Any inaccuracies are the sole responsibility of SouthlandTvFans.com.

Emmy®-nominated Actress Lucy Liu

Emmy®-nominated actress Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill: Volume 1) has been cast as a special guest-star on the upcoming fourth season of TNT’s critically acclaimed police drama Southland. The series – starring Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie – is slated to launch its new season in January 2012 on TNT. Liu will appear throughout the season as a member of the LAPD.

A critical and commercial sensation in film, television and on stage, Liu recently reprised her role as Viper in the animated hit Kung Fu Panda 2, as well as completed shooting The Man with the Iron Fists, with Russell Crowe and RZA, slated for release later this year.  After recently earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance in the Lifetime miniseries Marry Me and completed production on the films Detachment, Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You and East Fifth Bliss.

Liu’s extensive film credits include the blockbuster hit Charlie’s Angels, its sequel, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Quentin Tarantino’s critically acclaimed Kill Bill: Volume 1, and Rob Marshall’s Oscar®-winning film Chicago, among many others.  On television, Liu co-starred in the hit series Ally McBeal, for which she earned both Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award® nominations. She has also guest-starred on such series as Sex and the City, Joey, Ugly Betty, Cashmere Mafia and Dirty Sexy Money, as well as lending her voice to animated hits like The Simpsons, Futurama and King of the Hill.

Liu made her Broadway debut last year in the Tony-winning play God of Carnage, with Jeff Daniels, Dylan Baker and Janet McTeer. In 2010, she made her feature directorial debut with Half the Sky, an adaptation of the bestseller. A consummate advocate for human rights, Liu also produced and narrated Redlight, a powerful documentary about sex trafficking that premiered at the 2009 Woodstock Film Festival and aired on Showtime.

TNT’s Southland takes viewers directly to the streets of LA to present an intensely personal, first-person look at cops and detectives on the beat. The extraordinary show has redefined the police drama genre with a raw, authentic look at the lives and work of detectives and beat cops. Shot on location in the streets and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, Southland captures a realistic, natural environment where similar situations can and often do occur in real life.

Southland comes to TNT from John Wells Productions and Emmy®-winning producer John Wells (ER, The West Wing), in association with Warner Bros. Television. Created by Emmy® winner Ann Biderman (NYPD Blue, Public Enemies), the series is executive-produced by Emmy® winners Christopher Chulack (ER, Third Watch) and Wells. Chulack is also a primary director of the series. Andrew Stearn (Shameless, The West Wing) is co-executive producer.

About TNT
TNT, one of cable’s top-rated networks, is television’s destination for drama. Seen in 100.5 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle; Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; Hawthorne, with Jada Pinkett Smith; Memphis Beat, with Jason Lee; and Southland, from Emmy-winning producer John Wells (ER). TNT also presents such powerful dramas as The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and, starting next year, Castle; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards®; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

Release Date: August 1, 2011

Don’t let that distract us from celebrating the birthday from an incredibly beautiful, talented and wonderful actress we have grown to love to hate from Southland: Ms. Emily Bergl!!

Even her toughest critics must admit, Emily has nailed it in her role on Southland as the oft-despised Tami Bryant, wife of Detective Sammy Bryant. Face it, for a woman as incredibly talented as Emily is, it takes amazing acting chops to come across on screen as clueless, naive and despicable as Tammi does – making her one of Southland’s characters that we all love to hate. That character is one that is undeniably indispensable, however, because it is her actions that lead to some of the best character development and actions on the part of Sammy throughout the first three seasons of the show.

Emily’s skills are not just limited to Southland, though. Many may recognize her from her first major role as the fiesty Rachel Lang opposite Jason London in The Rage: Carrie 2, more recently as Beth Young on the ever popular Desperate Houswives, or from her stint as Annie O’Donnell on the series Men In Trees, as well as numerous other roles in her television & big screen career spanning spanning more than a decade. She has also done a number of productions on the stage.

If you have been truly lucky, however, you have been privileged to see Emily perform in person in her cabaret show Kidding On the Square. In this show, Emily truly comes alive showcasing her true talent as a gifted singer featuring songs from the 920′s through current day (Madonna anyone?), with a style and flair that’s all her own. I personally have been privileged to see her perform twice in the LA area and will happily return to see here again whenever possible, even for the same show.

So please join us in wishing Emily a warn and heartfelt Happy (Belated!) Birthday here, even if you already did so on Twitter or Facebook! Love or Hate Tammi Bryant, Emily Bergl is someone worthy of your love and respect for her incredible talent. Let’s show here now!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Photo credit: TNT/Doug Hyun

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Your character Nate may be dead on Southland, but you will forever live on in our hearts and minds as one of our favorites for all time. From every dramatic moment on screen, the amazing relationship with Sammy, the complicated ones with your daughter to the incredibly tender (and steamy!) scenes with your wife. With every scene you  brought a depth to the character of Nate Moretta that made us all love him, and you, so much that it is no wonder that your character’s death was one of, if not the, most talked about events of Season 3. You will be missed!

Most of all, we are eternally grateful to you for taking so much time from your extremely busy schedule to chat with us the Thursday after your big episode, answering questions for so many people. Your (and Shawn’s, Micahel Cudlitz’s, Michael McGrady’s & C. Thomas Howell’s) willingness to come chat with the fans one-on-one is just another indication of how different, and special, Southland and its cast really is. The show itself is great, but you actors make it truly special.

While we may not get to see you on Southland again, you have definitely earned fans for life. We all look forward to seeing your return to True Blood as Jesus this summer and seeing The Legend of Hell’s Gate when it is released.

Feliz Cumpleaños, Ese!

Michael McGrady as Detective Salinger

Happy Birthday to our favorite Detective Boss, Michael McGrady aka Detective Danial “Sal” Salinger!

Many fans were disappointed to see so little of Sal this past season, but we savored every moment we did see you Michael! You gave us several memorable performances, including your very moving speech to the detectives in Punching Water. We look forward to seeing much more of you in Season 4!

Fans, please join us in wish Michael a joyous Happy Birthday by leaving your birthday wishes in the comments below!

SouthLAnd received one other nomination, in the Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series category. Felix Alcala was nominated for the episode What Makes Sammy Run?, but the award went to TNT’s Men Of A Certain Age‘s Millicent Shelton.

Regina King is no stranger to the Awards scene. As mentioned earlier, she was nominated last year for SouthLAnd. She previously won the Image Award in the Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture category for the movie Ray in 2005, and was nominated in the same category 2 other times for Down To Earth (2002) and Enemy of the State (1999). She has been nominated twice, and won once, for the BET Best Actress Award including one nomination for her role as Lydia Adams on SouthLAnd in 2010 and the win for her role on Ray in 2005. She also received a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award as part of the cast of Ray, which received the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Award in 2005. Regina started her rise to fame with a Young Artist Award in 1986, receiving Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series, for her role in “227″, followed the very next year by the Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series Comedy or Drama award.

Ms. King joins Kevin Alejandro in receiving individual award recognition for her contributions to SouthLAnd. Kevin received the Imagen Foundation Award in 2010 for Best Supporting Actor – Television for his role as Detective Nate Moretta. We are confident, however, that these are but the first of many awards to come for the outstanding ensemble cast of SouthLAnd, especially once the awards voters have the opportunity to view and vote on the oustanding episodes we have just seen in Season 3.

Congratulations Regina! Your fans are happy for you, proud of you and thrilled for the honor you have been given. It is definitely well deserved!

Also in the chat room at the same time was Lee Lofland, author of Police Procedure and Investigation, A Guide for Writers, host and founder of the Writers’ Police Academy, and who writes and maintains The Graveyard Shift, a blog for writers about cops and writers. Links will be found in the chat.

C_Thomas_Howell joined.
snowprince Just wanted to tell you Lee, great blog. Fellow retired bluesuit here
bob Tommy is back!
lisa0914 Wb, Cth!
coopman Cth
trojan yay!
gingercara Welcome back Tommy!
ana Tommy!
George kudoooos Mr. Howell
C_Thomas_Howell Whats up people!
GinaW1127 Wb Mr. Howell
RAY22 Cth In The House!
austie hey, tommy! can we all you tommy?
Mary_Rose Tommy! Woohoo!
trojan Cth – did you channel Dewey at the wrap partay???
unbridled we know who cth is!
C_Thomas_Howell ?
maryellen Welcome back Tommy.
mike03253 Cth! woot
snowprince Gotta go, off to work….c U all next lap
LeeLofland The Southland actors spend a lot of time training and researching their roles. And, they really care.
steph @trojan- I agree, to a point. I think he’s still nervous about getting in trouble. He doesn’t have the free reign Cooper does at this point.
Leesa-B aaaaaw…..dam….!!!! C.thomas Howell is in i cant leave now!!
C_Thomas_Howell Yea I prefer the free chat vs. the moderated chat
RAY22 Thats Mr.howell To You Guys Lol!
coopman Me too
bob Lee – when i did the set visit in November I got to spend some time with Chic Daniel you would love him. I mentioned your site to him, and he was impressed.
jnevinsmiller Me too…
Jennnoe13 haha Yesss! Cth is back!
LeeLofland snowprince – I read your comments and posts. Good stuff.
George Mr. Howell any scoop for the last episode about Dewey?
GinaW1127 Lol Ray, I all ready called him that Lol
steph @bob – a set visit? Lucky.
C_Thomas_Howell Dewey isnt in ep 9 but plays a lot in 10!
LeeLofland Bob – Several cast members and others from the show follow the blog regularly.
trojan Cth – of the 12 Steps, which is Dewy’s favorite?
lisa0914 Dewey was pretty low-key in Fixing a Hole.
ana My fave thing Dewey did was invite Coop to a meeting. You played it in a way that made me want more of that seriousness, that willingness to reach out and help…
Kathryn How come Dewey gets into so much trouble but is never fired?
mike03253 Tommy do people come up to you and give you shit about Dewey being an ass?
C_Thomas_Howell Trouble?
Leesa-B Cth…..are u as crazy in real life as Dewey is in the show…?
C_Thomas_Howell do you think he’s been involved in something this season that warrants being fired?
GinaW1127 Tommy, how do you prepare for the craziness that is Dewey? Does caffeine help with that? Love how crazy he is since he’s gotten sober
Kathryn the car crash in season 1
LeeLofland My blog is The Graveyard Shift – www.leelofland.com/wordpress/
unbridled Lee – I enjoy your blog too.
C_Thomas_Howell Car crash almost got him canned in season one… but I’m very happy with the direction the writers have taken him
George Your character is a total hit, I’m praying for u to become a regular next season
Kathryn No, not really he’s been better.
Bluegrassbabe3 Lee…very well written. Reviews are always sterling.
C_Thomas_Howell he’s sober now and is starting to be a bit more in touch with reality
C_Thomas_Howell I think people have enjoyed the arc
trojan screw reality! more Dewey!
austie actually, dewey has toed the line this season and stayed sober. i hope he stays that way.
C_Thomas_Howell It shows in ep 10 as well
gingercara Lee, I love your reviews, look forward to them every week.
ana I like that Dewey takes his sobriety seriously. [
LeeLofland Thanks, Bluegrass.
RAY22 C.t. when are you going to get Arija in here one day? your partner Chickie on the show her character is very interesting.
LeeLofland You, too, Ginger.
Leesa-B i think he is hilarious, favourite line to date… “see, blowjobs do save lives!!!” hil-ar-ious!
bob The writers definitely know/understand how realistic it is for someone like Dewey who has gone through a 12 step program
C_Thomas_Howell I spoke with Arija and she’s a little internet gun shy
austie the ‘net can be scary.
Jennnoe13 Tell her if she wants to join we can get her in and walk her through it
Jennnoe13 We would Love to have her
mike03253 Tell Arija to get in touch with her inner-nerd
Americanuck Dewey is like the burr that gets under everyone’s skin he’s needed
C_Thomas_Howell Dewy is a lot more responsible but still a loose canon… I think thats important for the show
steph Cth- how do you pronounce Arija? It’s a beautiful name.
trojan yes, Bob. Dewey is typically evangelical like many newly sober are. i noticed that right away. excellent.
George Do you know if there’s going to be a Season 4? Is there any talks about that?
C_Thomas_Howell Ari-ya
unbridled Lee – Do you see how much your Southland review is shared around the internet?
steph I had it wrong! Thanks!
LeeLofland Tommy, I had a partner like Dewey many years ago. Never a dull moment.
C_Thomas_Howell Dewey is the button presser on the show
RAY22 She’s like Chickie then Lol, let her know her work is appreciated also.
GinaW1127 Yes they do bob, that’s why i love how accurate Dewey is. My Uncle is sober 30 years now and I rememeber when he first stopped drinking, he turned to coffee and he was just like dewey, brings back so many memories, just cracks me up
C_Thomas_Howell Sorry for you Lee… Lol
BullsBabe7 Button presser? Dewey is more like the button pounder!
LeeLofland unbridled – The blog is pretty popular, especially on Southland review day.
C_Thomas_Howell If you notice… I have coffee in Dewey’s hand as much as possiblr… Lol
DebG Dewey’s the bad bad you love to hate and hate (not really) to love
C_Thomas_Howell “button Pounder” lol
coopman Lee, love your Castle reviews also.
GinaW1127 Lol I noticed Tommy, love it!
jnevinsmiller I noticed! I love Dewey and his coffee!!
bob So Tommy – I’m sort of bummed – you are one of only 2 cast members I have not had the chance to meet in person yet!
trojan i wish Dewey could be on red carpet security duty on Sunday. super cold, ladies with much decolletage showing. god, that would be fun
LeeLofland Tommy – Yep, it was rough. I spent as much time keeping him in line as I did chasing the bad guys!
Americanuck Should be drinking decaf Lol
Leesa-B Lee…..have any of your experiences, or similar experiences from being on the force ended up on southland…?
bob and I’ve been watching you since literally “It Happened One Christmas”
LeeLofland Thanks, coopman.
C_Thomas_Howell I love the fact that Dewey is incapable of censoring his thoughts
C_Thomas_Howell Bob… Omg!
coopman He has no filter for sure
RAY22 My company is doing security at the Oscars but I wasn’t invited
C_Thomas_Howell going deep
C_Thomas_Howell Ep 10 leaves next season Wide open
steph Everyone needs a person around who says what everyone is thinking. That’s Dewey. Ha ha.
GinaW1127 So how do we get Tommy to accept friend’s request on Facebook?
C_Thomas_Howell I’m excited to see where they go
ana Tommy, love your new photos from your shoot in the desert!
trojan Cth – have any Spidey senses come to you through the osmosis of that set? C_Thomas_Howell Gina send me one and I’ll hook you up
unbridled most people would have gotten out of the way of the tension between Cooper and Sherman, but Dewey waded right in
RAY22 A cliff hanger no doubt to bring em back Lol.
DebG Oh yeah, that desert shoot was so cool
mike03253 “next season” is that a hint or just optimism?
C_Thomas_Howell Thank you… Deb
carefree How often do you use your skills you learned on Celebrity Magician? I watched the entire season just because you were on.
C_Thomas_Howell Spidey sense? Well to be honest I have a small role, yet important
George I’ve got so bummed when saw that the cast was being reduced…is Dewey gonna be kept around for the future?
trojan i will see the movie just to see you
bdudek Speaking of Celebracadabra maybe Cherry should make a reappearance. ;P I could see drunk Dewey doing something like that.
C_Thomas_Howell The magic show was a blast
C_Thomas_Howell I really loved it… and so do my kids
trojan do u go to Magic Castle, tommy?
C_Thomas_Howell Lol
Leesa-B yes…u are important….i love watching and waiting to hear what u are going to say nxt!
jbeaton They can’t get rid of Dewey. He awesomely funny
bob Any more “War of the Worlds” type shows coming up?
BullsBabe7 It’s hard to reconcile the fact that sweet Ponyboy is now Dewey. Magnificent range there, Mr. Howell.
LeeLofland Leesa – Lately, there’s been a bit of parallel between my career and what I’ve seen on the show. Especially, the things going on with Sammy right now. There’s a story on my blog about a shootout I was in a while back.
bob Love to see the ones where you take a more active behind-thecamera role
RAY22 Man I remember being in the Army when Red Dawn came out I loved your character in that movie that kid was hard core.
C_Thomas_Howell As far as my future on Southland goes… there’s never any guarantee’s in H’wood… But I feel he’s important for the show…
Leesa-B @lee….thank u
bob Ray, I hear ya – I was just out of boot camp in the Navy myself
Lvmyjags Dewey needs to be on Southland
60Pontiac To be honest at first I didn’t realize who was playing Dewey, which I think is a credit to your performance [
BullsBabe7 Lee, if you could portray a character on Southland, what would it be? (detective, uniform, etc.)
Kathryn my friend on facebook wanted me to tell you that you were awesome in the movie secret admirer
trojan all good drama needs the fool. Dewey be it
steph How much imput do you get into the direction the character Dewey goes in?
coopman Yeah, there is a Dewey in every Pd
mike03253 Southland needs Dewey
bob I loved Secret Admirer!
Mary_Rose Lee, where can I find your blog? I feel like I should know about it already, but I definitely want to read it from here on out.
C_Thomas_Howell I hope to be upgraded to star billing… a fourth year as a guest star would kill me… Lol
LeeLofland Dewey is definitely important to the Southland department. Because there’s a “dewey” in every single police department in the country.
jnevinsmiller I wanted to see the show cuz C T Howell was in it.
Leesa-B Cth……u wer so frickin scary in Criminal Minds…! Oh My God! very good!
George I just thought that things have gonne dangerous after Nate was killed off and Russ was fired from the police, I don’t want anyone else leaving the show
trojan redeem your Winchell coffee points for an upgrade
C_Thomas_Howell I agree Lee… To be honest I’d hate to see Dewey go
Americanuck Aww well you’re a star on the show to us fans Tommy
steph Hey, Heather Locklear spent Years on Melrose Place as “special guest star”. ::laugh
Leesa-B @steph….lol!
C_Thomas_Howell Leesa… Re Crim Minds… Thank you
Leesa-B
RAY22 In reality C.t. your the Veteran actor of the bunch next would be Michael.
Jennnoe13 Did you go to the wrap party Cth??
LeeLofland Mary Rose – www.leelofland.com/.wordpress/
trojan Cth – has the Ppl reached out to you for any support?
jbeaton Are Dewey and Chickie ever going to hook up?
C_Thomas_Howell I don’t think they expect Dewey to be what he turned into…
C_Thomas_Howell we sort of surprised some people
60Pontiac I hate to see the cast reduced. When the show came on I was sceptical that it could work with so many roles, but it does. Save Dewey!
bob Wow – I never noticed that before. You have Mike C beat by 45 titles on Imdb
C_Thomas_Howell I started as a kid though
BullsBabe7 Every show needs a solid antagonist, and Dewey fits that role perfectly….when he sets his mind to it.
bdudek We’ll start another petition to keep Dewey on. The show would be lacking everything without your awesome one liners, Ct.
RAY22 Dewey and Chickie no way Lo her shooting him or kicking his ass yes Lol.
mike03253 yeah but had cth ever been on 90210? lol
coopman Save Dewey!
LeeLofland One of my favorite scenes last week was when Dewey confronted Cooper about the pills.
bob That’s true – he didn’t start until later
mike03253 has*
Mary_Rose Wait…is there doubt that Dewey will be back if Southland gets a fourth season? D:
C_Thomas_Howell I really love playing him…. one of my fav characters
ana Lee, that was my fave scene, too.
trojan we should try to get Dewey Bonnell of America to sing a song to “save Dewey”
Leesa-B :leeland…yea….that was a good scene
C_Thomas_Howell No… I think the writers all love Dewey…
C_Thomas_Howell he is a great outlet for everyone
bob Lee that was a great scene – I nice (as usual) subtle way of Dewey letting Cooper know that He knew about the situation with the pills
BullsBabe7 How could you Not love Dewey?
coopman How much leeway do you get to ad-lib?
DebG there’ll be a fan uprising if they try to take out Dewey
Leesa-B i have no idea how i put that sentance together above! sorry!!!
Kathryn I hope Dewey helps Cooper get off his meds.
bob Ok Big question for you Tommy – what the hell is Dewey’s real full name?
60Pontiac You kind of remind me of Robert Ryan, he could get under your skin just standing there in the background
C_Thomas_Howell I loved how much it killed Cooper to have Dewey try to “help” him
C_Thomas_Howell lol
Kathryn haha
C_Thomas_Howell William Dudek
trojan it seemed like u relished that scene, tommy
GinaW1127 Lol Tommy
LeeLofland Cudlitz is doing a nice job of portrying someone going through addiction and withdraw.
C_Thomas_Howell Dewey is his nick name…. The internet has it all effed up…
Kathryn Dewey should ride with Cooper more often
C_Thomas_Howell I agree Kathryn
bdudek Agree wtih Kathryn and Tommy [
mike03253 That didn’t work out to well last time Kathryn lol
steph Cth, the way you play Dewey is perfect. He’s the arse you can’t help but love/root for. It would be so easy to just play the jerk, minus the love. Ha ha.
lisa0914 Cooper stealing Ben back is still one of my favorite scenes.
DebG Will there be a partner shuffle once Sherman ‘graduates’?
C_Thomas_Howell The conflict I can provide for Cooper is endless…
bdudek I for one enjoyed the sing-along.
bob We thought William was his middle name [
RAY22 It would be funny if Dewey ended up turning Cooper in.
unbridled I loved that whole scene with you and Cooper after Lydia shoved you.
GinaW1127 Oh I loved that one Lisa
bob because the tie wall on the set says “dewet Dudek”
Americanuck I saw a rerun of Cm the other day and your hair as Foyet was shorter than it first was… was that cos you were filming Southland by then in 09?
C_Thomas_Howell thats a typo
bob ahh, ok – that makes more sense
bob -1 point for the prop guys!
lisa0914 Is Dewey mellowing out a little, Cth? He seemed to be on Fixing a Hole. And I loved the “I need a drink” after the kids were found with the hanged guy.
C_Thomas_Howell Americanuck…. essentially yes…. but once Foyet was discovered he needed to change his appearance again… it served both purposes
C_Thomas_Howell Yes, Dewey is becoming much more responsible which is a beautiful arc for me as an actor…
C_Thomas_Howell wait til you see ep 10
GinaW1127 Tommy I remember watching Outsiders in Drama Class and you were an amazing actor back then and you have grown so much. It’;s great seeing how far you have come
C_Thomas_Howell Thank you Gina
George goodbye people, I’m off to watch “fixin’ a Hole” keep up the good work Mr. Howell
GinaW1127 you’re welcome
Mary_Rose But it must’ve been so much fun to play the former, crazier Dewey!
bdudek Uh-oh. Don’t leave us with a cliffhanger, Tommy!
Jennnoe13 Everyone keeps talking about how crazy epi 10 is.. i cant wait to see it
lisa0914 I can’t wait, but I don’t want it to end. I’m so glad I own the episodes and can watch them whenever I need a Southland fix.
RAY22 we keep hearing about this episode 10! Icant wait Lol
C_Thomas_Howell Oh believe me, he’s still Crazy!!!!
GinaW1127 Me too jenn
Mary_Rose Good!
C_Thomas_Howell Thats the “rub” with that character
DebG Dewey-crazy is good crazy
bdudek I agree Deb
lisa0914 Is it okay for fans to friend you, or can you put up a “friends and fans” page?
C_Thomas_Howell That part of him will never go away
BullsBabe7 Episodes 1-8 blew us away. Can y’all imagine what 9 & 10 are going to do to us?
bob Then there’s always Dewey handcuffed to the bed with no pants on crazy
C_Thomas_Howell It’s just nice to be centered sometimes
RAY22 The show will be back and you to C.t.
Americanuck I’m dying cos we’re an episode behind in Canada and it is airing tonight and I can’t watch it until tomorrow
Jennnoe13 Lol that was great
coopman My favorite Dewey, bob
C_Thomas_Howell I think he’s taken more seriously by the viewers
C_Thomas_Howell people have really responded to me in a positive way lately
Leesa-B Cth….thanx so much…..! i definetly gotta go now…..its 3:45am Irishtime!!! nite nite peeps, this was brilliant tnite! xx
GinaW1127 Oh if they didn’t renew or bring Dewey back I would actually get on a plane (terrified of flying) to go kick some butt Lol
LeeLofland You know, Tommy, your character is really nicely layered. I’m sure you enjoy his personalities….
bob The writers have always said they wante to focus the show on how the job affects the personal lives of the cops – I think between Dewey and Cooper, you have certainly done that
60Pontiac There is a Dewey in every workplace with more than 2 people, most of them don’t have guns.
trojan i would love more backstory on Dewey. it wold be epic
steph The cast has been so available to the fans- that’s really awesome. Please pass along my thanks to everyone.
carefree I need to sign off here, Ty Tommy so much for joining us, it really means a lot and Ty Bob and all the amazing ladies involved with this site, you all do such a fantastic job, Love you all!
lisa0914 I would, too, Trojan.
ana Trojan’s right, some Dewey backstory would be great.
LeeLofland But the one who do have guns are really scary…
RAY22 Every family has a Dewey their annoying but you still love them Lol.
C_Thomas_Howell I look forward to next season… I know Chris Chulak loves the character and it was not expected or intended… originally I was only supposed to be in the pilot
GinaW1127 Tommy any plans for while you guys are on break?
Bluegrassbabe3 So we will have a season 4? It’s been confirmed?
bob John Wells is known for that, Tommy – look what happend with Juliana Margulies on Er
coopman Hope it turns into a Long time gig
C_Thomas_Howell Finishing Spiderman… making an appearance this week on Torchwood for Amc
Kathryn i’m glad dewey lasted longer than a pilot
bob she was never supposed to Live past the pilot and she because one of the most love characters on the show
C_Thomas_Howell and directing a film in Detroit this summer
RAY22 Yeah a little movie called Spiderman I heard. Lol
C_Thomas_Howell Exactly Bob!
bob You doing Torchwood Tommy?!?!
GinaW1127 Wow, you stay busy Tommy, do you ever take time off to relax or is that relaxing for you?
bob The one for Starz?
ana Holy Crap! Love Torchwood!
C_Thomas_Howell On that set tomorrow … Day one for me
60Pontiac Well thank gor Dewey came back after rehab. That was another cool part of the role, folks back from rehab tend to be full of wisdom that makes you want to kick them
C_Thomas_Howell (torchwood)
bob woo hoo!!
C_Thomas_Howell playing a killer again… lol
C_Thomas_Howell getting a lot of “Bad Guy” roles in my old age… (shhhh) I prefer them
bob If I hadn’t fallen in love with you about 25 years ago (and happily married) now, you just went up a few mor notiches in my book
C_Thomas_Howell Lol
C_Thomas_Howell thanks Bob
Jennnoe13 ooooh Bob!
bob Hey, who can resist Ponyboy Curtis?
steph I think we just witnessed a moment…
DebG Nuff said!
Jennnoe13 Lol this whole convo right now has me cracking up
ana I’ll def be on the lookout for you in Torchwood, that’s a hardcore intenese show.
Lvmyjags me too
coopman Jenn, me too
gingercara Omg, loved the Outsiders. I think that was the first movie I saw you in Tommy, that or Et
C_Thomas_Howell I really hope they let me role with Coop a bit next season… some doors opening for that possibility…. the writers never take you in the “expected” direction though
C_Thomas_Howell thats what makes them so good
Xtina oh wow! i loved your role as the “reaper” in criminal minds, my other favorite show
coopman The writers are extrodinary
steph Good point. A few times I’ve thought “oh this has to be going this way” then I realize this isn’t your “regular” kind of Tv show.
C_Thomas_Howell Never
GinaW1127 Oh I would love to see more Coop and Dewey together
Kathryn maybe you can get cooper addicted to coffee now
RAY22 I hope Coop lightens up he can be a Doosh at times Lol.
60Pontiac The characters on S/l are all a bit bent, which makes them real, not good or bad
Mary_Rose The end of this week’s episode proved that, Steph. I sure as hell never expected That to be the “magic cave”.
C_Thomas_Howell love them… perfect example… Chickie feeling the responsibility for running over the old lady… Not Dewey
DebG Sl is more real than the so-called ‘reality’ shows, that’s for sure
C_Thomas_Howell when I read that I though… oh man…. here we go again…. Phew
trojan Dewey only cared for the jam he faced with Iad
coopman Yeah, was he mad at the ttrouble he was in or sad that he hit her?
steph Filming car chases must be awesomely crazy, eh?
LeeLofland Southland is far more realistic than the “reality” cop shows.
C_Thomas_Howell He was bummed at the entire situation…
jnevinsmiller I thought he felt bad for hitting her but it was accidental. She stepped out.
C_Thomas_Howell they cut out a lot of that scene for some reason….
GinaW1127 Yeah i have noticed that Lee
coopman Totally accidental
bdudek But it looked like he leaned on his stuff from Aa to cope with it.
GinaW1127 I love how real it is
BullsBabe7 I like that no matter what their vices, flaws, etc., there is absolutely no character on the show that’s completely without redemption.
coopman He just se
jnevinsmiller He looked genuinely upset that she was dead.
coopman seemed pissed.
C_Thomas_Howell He was
C_Thomas_Howell pissed at himself… bummed about the old lady
coopman You sold it
C_Thomas_Howell gracias
gingercara So how come Dewey and Chickie didn’t see a shrink after hitting the lady or did they and just not show it?
BullsBabe7 But they’re not cardboard cutout perfect cops, either.
Paul0418 most def
C_Thomas_Howell Dewey handled it… “part of the job”
Mary_Rose No other character (or actor, for that matter) on the show could’ve played that scene the way you did. Kudos.
C_Thomas_Howell things can go Sideways, man’
trojan ditto, mary
steph Stomach is saying time to cut and run. Cth, it’s been so awesome to get to chat with you. Big thanks to Bob for tonight too.
C_Thomas_Howell My pleasure
Kathryn does dewey like working with chickie or wishes he had another partner? C_Thomas_Howell any more Q’s? before we call it?
Jennnoe13 Oh we are gonna be here a while Tommy!
C_Thomas_Howell ahhh… good question Kath
Paul0418 keep up the good work!
lisa0914 Thanks for taking the time to chat with us!
RAY22 I thought Dewey was going to catch up to that car and I said Damn Dewey you F#%ked up again! Lol
gingercara Thank you so much for chatting with us. Love the show, hope to see you next season.
trojan dewey and lydia for a love arc!
unbridled Thanks so much for stopping by Ct
Lvmyjags Thanks again Tommy
C_Thomas_Howell I love the dynamic between Chickie and dewey… Arija had a hard time with it at first… I think she took it personally
DebG Thanks for taking time for us!
lisa0914 Please come back after Episode 10 airs.
ana Tommy Thank you for hanging out with us!
C_Thomas_Howell but we have become very close and she gets it now
Mary_Rose Lol, trojan. That’d be…interesting.
coopman Thanks for coming again. We really appreciate it. Keep us updated, k?
Xtina i would just like to say this is The Best show on tv and i hope it goes on for years! you and the other actors are amazing!!!
austie thanks for being so cool about chatting with us.
BullsBabe7 Thanks for taking time to chat with us. We appreciate it very much.
unbridled that’s great about chickie Ct
GinaW1127 Thank you so much Tommy for coming to chat with us
Americanuck ditto u rock
mike03253 Thank you Tommy. Appreciate it.
bob Thank you for chatting with us again Tommy – Southland cast & crew are the Greatest!
bdudek Thanks for coming by, Tommy! It was awesome getting to chat with you.
RAY22 You seem like a nice and humble person Cth Thank You!
Jennnoe13 Thanks Tommy!!!
Mary_Rose Thanks so much, Tommy. This has been wonderful! [Feb 24
jnevinsmiller Yes, Thank you. Glad I figured out the chatroom tonight.
Kathryn thanks for chatting and answering questions tommy!
C_Thomas_Howell If you notice Dewey never gives her credit Ie story swapping at the sandwich shop, dewey cut her off and basically shut her down…. but during a pursuit he is her “partner” and has her back 100%
LeeLofland Again, thanks for making it easy to write my reviews.
C_Thomas_Howell Good night Y’all!!!!
bob One of these days we need to get you added to our list of original interviews here on the websites Hint hint
Jennnoe13 Lol bob
Sarah907 good night
austie ‘night!
GinaW1127 Night Tommy!
trojan more lunch story scenes!
unbridled night
C_Thomas_Howell anytime Bob
BullsBabe7 Dewey’s a good guy, despite his best efforts to convince us otherwise! Lol
jbeaton Thanks
Americanuck nite tommy
coopman Bye Cth
ana Goodnight, Tommy
C_Thomas_Howell You said it Bull
C_Thomas_Howell He’s a softy inside
jbeaton total softy
DebG Big marshmallow!
bob Just keep Lydia away from him, eh?
C_Thomas_Howell thanks for the support everyone
BullsBabe7 Wouldn’t go that far, but he’s a nice guy.
C_Thomas_Howell Lol
trojan peace and blessings, tommy
RAY22 C.t your the best!
Paul0418 lots of personality
60Pontiac Thanks for stopping by Cth
C_Thomas_Howell My pleasure
Mary_Rose
mike03253 See ya Tommy
Paul0418 thanks Tommy
Bluegrassbabe3 Thank you Tommy.
C_Thomas_Howell Night Blue!
gingercara Thanks again Tommy
C_Thomas_Howell I’ll come back after ep 10!
bob Yay!
Lvmyjags Great!
trojan yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
Bluegrassbabe3 Yay!
Mary_Rose Can’t wait!
Jennnoe13 woo!
DebG You better after that tease you gave us!
austie look forward to it!
unbridled that would be great ct
jnevinsmiller Thanks!
Paul0418 sweet!
bdudek Awsome!
Kathryn this is so awesome that the actors actually chat with fans. i don’t know of any other tv show that does this.
coopman Great
RAY22 This is like the Waltons goodnight Johnboy Lol
Bluegrassbabe3 Ray…lol
Americanuck lol
jnevinsmiller Thanks C Thomas Howell. I always did love you!!
austie lol. g’night, mary ellen.
Americanuck ponyboy instead of johnboy\
C_Thomas_Howell left.

Make sure to join us every Thursday at 9:00 pm Eastern time for our weekly chat. We never know who will stop by to join us.

Below is a transcript and there are a couple of things you should know.

You will see the name of the person/chatter. The chatter’s name will have a letter in parenthesis after it, indicating that it is a Comment ( C ), Question ( Q ), or just a Post (P) to the chat room. If it’s a comment or question, then Shawn (“shawnyhats”) will have an Answer (A) following.

jbeaton(Q) Where was the scene filmed where the gang member had to dig the hole?

shawnyhats(A) Lancaster — way out in the middle of nowhere –the actor who played the banger was incredible

maryellen(Q) Shawn, is there going to be repercussions for Sammy for what he did to the banger?

shawnyhats(A) there might be more to this story — that’s all I’ll say

Kathryn(Q) What has been your favorite scene to shoot this season?

shawnyhats(A) All the scenes with Nate are memorable. I miss that guy — saw him last night at the wrap party

chunkubun1(Q) It seem like u put alot of urself in this roll, r u this emotional with everyday life?

shawnyhats(A) Sammy Bryant and I are a lot alike — the character is on cruise control right now and the writers have really tapped into something with Sammy. I have played every emotion in season 3. It’s been a great ride

Leesa-B(Q) Hi Shawn, Leesa here. Im just wondering how do u feel now as an actor knowing how much respect u now have from your fans because of your fantastic work. you have grown so much from when we saw u in The Faculty……!

shawnyhats(A) It’s very rewarding! I’ve been working pretty consistently since then and it’s great that southland has such loyal fans — I hope we keep climbing in that regard

RAYP22(Q) Shawn I really feel for your character Sammy going through so much will things get better for him?

shawnyhats(A) Well — it doesn’t seem like it can get any worse!

MrPooch(Q) hi shawn, i have never joined a facebook group for a show before or became such a fan. why do you think southland has such an effect on people?

shawnyhats(A) Because of the truth we bring to it. We take a lot of pride in the show’s authenticity. Not EVERYBODY wants to watch CSI, right? those shows are entertaining but extremely forced

Ryan(Q) in your opinion, do you think sammy made the right choice by letting the banger go?

shawnyhats(A) I do — He’s wants to do the right thing and deep down Sammy is a great cop. Not a murderer. Sammy became a man this season –

lisa0914(Q) Shawn, aside from Nate’s death, what scene this season has been the most emotional for you and which one was the most fun?

shawnyhats(A) Emotional — hospital after Nate’s murder — We shot a scene in ep 10 that is sure to blow everybody’s mind!　

Lvmyjags(Q) Are you really a fast runner?

shawnyhats(A) I believe I’m the fastest in our cast! And if anybody wants to challenge me they know where to find me!

AuntyIwa(Q) What was it like shooting the scene with all those guys surrounding the two of you?

shawnyhats(A) that was a physically difficult scene to do — it was emotional and powerful because I knew that Kevin was leaving. I lost my voice for 4 days right before my wedding

Sometimes(Q) How much character research do you go through for your roles like Sammy in Southland and The Cooler?

shawnyhats(A) Well, there was a magicians element to the cooler which didn’t end up in the film — so I spent a lot of time working on magic for that. Southland is my favorite job creatively — I’ve never been more excited to work and therefore I’m extremely focused　

bengirl25(Q) are you doing any guest starring rolls on shows or doing anymovies while southland is on break?

shawnyhats(A) Last year I did Dexter, CSI Miami (gotta eat) and a movie called street Kings 2 with Ray Liotta — This year I am Hoping to one particular big project that I cant talk about

winchester_2(Q) For last night’s episode, the scene in which you’re standing over the gangmember in the grave, your eyes were FRIGHTENING. How was it like getting into Sammy’s mindset during such a situation as that?

shawnyhats(A) Think of Kevin’s head getting bashed in

austie(Q) Do you have plans for the hiatus? Doing any movies?

shawnyhats(A) Stay tuned

Lvmyjags(Q) How did you get the acting bug?

shawnyhats(A) it was something that I was good at from a young age and I just went with that — plus there were a lot of girls in theatre/chorus

SaraK(Q) When is Tammy having her baby? Are they going to get back together?

shawnyhats(A) Keep watching — and bring a couple million viewers with you why don’t ya

chunkubun1(Q) is it hard 2 comeback down after a very emotional charged shoot? how do u unwind?

shawnyhats(A) Food — used to be booze

bob(P) Everyone, Lee Lofland is a reviewer and webmaster who regularly reviews Southland and how well it sticks to authentic police procedures. He is also with us tonight and will answer any questions you might have along those lines!

trojan(Q) did CTH do a Dewy imitation at the wrap party?

shawnyhats(A) Who’s cth?

Americanuck(Q) Sammy’s life is always a bit up and down but so much has happened to him this season, do you find it affects you personally, emotionally I mean or are you able to disconnect and keep it with the character?

shawnyhats(A) I have my own personal shit that I’m dealing with and it’s on the surface and ready to come out — I use Sammy as a way to get it out

jbeaton(Q) Do people recognize you more on the streets now that you are on this show?

shawnyhats(A) Not sure about more but fans have been very favorable toward the show –

trojan(Q) was the renewal vibe at the wrap party positive?

shawnyhats(A) it’s hard not knowing — but we always try to stay positive. You’d have to with our track record

Lvmyjags(P) Everyone C T Howell is here also.

shawnyhats(P) Tommy! How’s life?

maryellen(Q) Other than SouthLAnd, what has been your most memorable/favorite role?

shawnyhats(A) John Wells directed me in an ep of ER that I’m very proud of. Multiple personalities

austie(Q) Y’all seem like a close-knit cast. Best you’ve ever worked with?

shawnyhats(A) YES

trojan(Q) in your opinion, why did sammy marry tammi? what did he see in her, or need from her?

shawnyhats(A) Because he was probably too young to understand how dysfunctional and destructive the relationship is. We’ve all been there but for some reason Sammy stayed because he thought he could fix it — that’s his way. And it may destroy him — but I hope it makes him stronger

C_Thomas_Howell(Q) That hurt

shawnyhats(A) It’s just Tommy to me

jbeaton(Q) Had you ever worked with any of the other actors before Southland?

shawnyhats(A) Don’t think so

GinaW1127(Q) Have you ever been part of a show/movie that you have been able to intereact with the fans like Southland? Is it overwhelming to interact with so many of us?

shawnyhats(A) No — but it’s only because I believe so strongly in this project.

Kathryn(Q) If you get a season 4 what do you want to see happen to your character?

shawnyhats(A) If we get a season 4 — You will see a side of Sammy you ain’t seen yet both at work and at home –

shawnyhats(P) Sorry I’m so slow

RAY22(Q) Shawn I felt bad for Sammy when Nate’s wife said she was moving do you feel she gave Sammy a sense of stability he longs for.

shawnyhats(A) Me too. I liked that he had someone for a little while and I worry about poor Petey

bob(P) No apologies necessary, Shawn. We are all very grateful that you are taking the time to spend with us here and answer our questions!

dadelma(Q) What do you like to do with your free time; sports, hobbies, etc.?

shawnyhats(A) Golf, Basketball –Writing, reading and being a dad (that takes up most of my time)

Lvmyjags(Q) but you can run fast! LOL

shawnyhats(A) Oh yea — much faster than I type

maryellen(Q) Shawn, are they going to follow Nate’s family, at least a bit in the future? (And what Bob said. THANK YOU for coming here tonight.)

shawnyhats(A) I don’t know. I hope so

ana(Q) Shawn, I hear you’re the best shot in the cast. Did you already know how to shoot before you started prepping for this role?

shawnyhats(A) Only from video games!

Lee_Lofland(P) Okay, Shawn. Now I’m curious. What do you write?

winchester_2(Q) what’s your favorite book? film?

shawnyhats(A) The Stand is a pretty great book and soon to be a movie. Most Stephen King based films are great! Shawshank, Stand By Me, The Shining I have high hopes for the Stand　

nurse2bemomma1(Q) Was Sammy sad to see Nate’s wife and kids move?

shawnyhats(A) Yes

chunkubun1(Q) i have noticed u seem 2 get attached 2 the children that have been on the show. it seems real. is it bcuz ur a dad urself?

shawnyhats(A) Since the pilot and Janilla — troubled kids. That is what drew me to the character and I have made it Sammy’s emotional center.　

adbowell(Q) Shawn…has playing Sammy been “enlighting” at all? i.e. has it affected you, and how you act when off camera?

shawnyhats(A) I think the answer is yes — but I’m not sure if it’s because of the show or just the natural order of things. Ha!

nurse2bemomma1(Q) Was Sammy starting to fall for Nates wife?

shawnyhats(A) I didn’t think so — but I believe he would of done anything to make the pain go away for both of them

winchester_2(Q) what was the best advice you’ve received as an actor?

shawnyhats(A) Well — when we did episode 7 “Cop or Not” and Black Jimmy gets in Sammy’s face — we blocked that scene and I backed away. Chris Chulack told me to stand nose to nose to him no matter what. It was great advice — Sammy grew some balls.

Leesa-B(Q) if you wer not cast as the character Sammy…what other character wud u have liked to be cast as…?

shawnyhats(A) They asked me to pick the character I most related to — And I chose Sammy. At one point there was talk of me reading for Cooper

RAY22(Q) I see your dad posts sometimes on Facebook, what does he think about your character and the show?

shawnyhats(A) we talk about it all the time — He loves it!

 Sometimes(Q) You have so many scenes on the show but really none with Regina, Ben, Michael and the like. is this because Sammy is in the gang unit and not homicide or patrol? Would you like to do more scenes with them?

shawnyhats(A) Yes — because he’s in a dif unit. i hope we’re on the air for 10 more years and we all get to be in scenes together.

coopman(Q) Adding to ad’s question: Do you look at people “like a cop” now? Overly suspicious/aware?

shawnyhats(A) to some degree — I know I look at cops differently. I’m always checking there Sam Brown’s to get ideas

winchester_2(Q) what do you write?

shawnyhats(A) Oh you know — scripts.

Kathryn(Q) I can’t wait to see how much Sammy changes when the baby comes. Is Sammy going to be an overprotective or laid back dad?

shawnyhats(A) He will be a great dad

adbowell(Q) Shawn…did you talk with any cops about the complexity of “having a heart” aspect of the job? I ask this in relation to the children aspect you just mentioned.

shawnyhats(A) Well — Sammy reacts emotionally — It’s not the best way to do police work. The best way is Nate’s way — I always enjoyed their dynamic because the we’re opposites but they didn’t let that get in the way of their friendship

Ryan(Q) Do you think we will ever see Sammy in his dress blues again?

shawnyhats(A) possibly

northgirl231(Q) What are the scripts about?

shawnyhats(A) I like small movies — I have a personal drama that I’ve been working on for a while.　

shawnyhats(P) Leo’s reviews are the Best out there — I read them every week. Make sure we’re doin’ shit right!　

DebG(Q) Love to see what you do with Sammy–his face and body language–when he first holds his new baby!

shawnyhats(A) Ha! My lips are sealed.

BullsBabe7(Q) Which would you prefer – Sammy as a detective or Sammy as a uniform?

shawnyhats(A) I choose whatever makes for good story telling. right now we are in a groove but…

jbeaton(Q) Do you get any ideas on how to be a great writer from the show’s writers because they are awesome. Any possibility you could write an episode someday?

shawnyhats(A) I do — I’m always paying attention to what works and what doesn’t work. That’s for sure.

LeeLofland(P) Shawn. You guys make my job as a writer/reviewer very easy. The show is simply the most authentic cop show, ever.

Leesa-B(Q) who influences u most as an actor….?

shawnyhats(A) Tough question — people. on the street. on tv. I draw from all the whack jobs around

winchester_2(Q) have you finished a script? if so, what’s it about?

shawnyhats(A) I’ll send it to you

shawnyhats(P) 3 more questions. This has been fun!

eyedog(Q) If you could ride with any character in the show (except Nate), who would it be and why?

shawnyhats(A) Ben. Foot race. I’d crush him. Throw in Lydia too — she seems quick.

Leesa-B(Q) if u could chose any role from any movie over the last 50yrs…..what character wud u choose??! and why??!!

shawnyhats(A) That’s easy — Buzz Lightyear. Because my son worships him!

eyedog(Q) who’s the one director you’d most like to work with?

shawnyhats(A) Good ending question — Paul Thomas Anderson Thanks to all SouthLand fans for all of your support — see you on TNT next week!

bob(P) Thank you VERY MUCH Shawn for giving us so much of your time! We really appreciate

By Karen Davidson and facilitated by Deb Craig

When we requested an interview, Allison graciously agreed.  Questions were submitted to her; then she wrote her responses and sent them back.   No changes have been made to her responses.

How did you end up directing an episode of SouthLAnd?

My manager Ragna Nervik knew about “Southland” and suggested me to Andrew Stern in John Wells office.  Andrew and I met and we really got along great.  Then I met with Chris Chulack, and he and I had such a great meeting talking about Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods and the life here that is often portrayed on TV and in movies really wrong.    Southland gets it RIGHT.  I also loved how Chris described the way the production is run and how it shoots.  There is a brilliant philosophy behind the style of Southland, and this is what gives us fans that feeling of being right there with the characters.  It’s the way I also shoot my movies.   In fact, I’ve even said, Chris is even more of a querrilla filmmaker than me!  I knew I was going to learn a lot from him.

So I was over-joyed when they offered me an episode.   Believe it or not I was actually supposed to direct Episode 7 of the first season of Southland on NBC!  But as all you Southies know, there was no episode 7 of the first season!  They were canceled before I could direct my episode which Cheo had written, which would have been awesome. (Cheo and I are homies, we met online from being mutual admirers — haa haa:  I loved “Notorious” and he loved “Mi Vida Loca”.  We finally met in person on Southland!)

As disappointing as it was when the show was canceled, I was so happy to be offered an episode again for season 3, and to finally get my Southland break!  And I absolutely loved Jonathan’s script for “Sideways”.  It was so perfect for me.

 How easy or difficult is it to step in and direct a show you’ve never worked on before?

Tommy (Dewey) and I were talking about how awkward it can be doing guest work on a show that’s already rolling.  Southland was NOT one of those experiences!!  Chris and John Wells and all the writers value directors and their point of view, which is not always the case in TV. 

 Had you watched SouthLAnd before you directed?

Absolutely — HUGE FAN!  ”Southland” and “Mad Men” are my two favorite shows on TV!  Totally different shows stylistically, and yet they both have such a strong point of view and are so emotionally rich.  (I watch a LOT of TV.)

Was SouthLAnd’s on-location and fast-paced shooting style easy for you to work with?

Shooting on location was awesome, and it’s how I often shoot my own films myself, preferring real locations to sets. Southland has an incredible locations team.  I was in heaven going into real LA hoods, a few of them were new to me, and I REALLY KNOW this city better than most people!  So to be shown a new neighborhood or two was a lovely surprise!  

Having said that I also loved shooting on (production designer) Maxine Shepard’s sets for the cops stations — she’s brilliant.  Every little detail on every desk and everything on the walls is just perfectly real.  And even when she dresses a location, there is just enough real detail that makes you feel like you’re THERE.  I loved working with her.  Funny, the night Southland aired, there were 2 other TV shows aired with African American men in hospital beds!  And each of their hospital room sets were so overdone.  It made me appreciate so much that in “Sideways”, there was only all the REAL detail needed, not a bunch of flowers and balloons and dressing, just enough to be real, so the viewer could then focus on Regina and Malcolm and Lydia’s story.  Striped down.  And yet — what a beautiful location, the light, the traffic down below outside the windows. Jimmy Muro was so happy shooting there!

 Why did you want to direct SouthLAnd?

I love the realism and vibe of the show, love the beautiful writing, love the amazing cast, and I knew I was going to be able to both bring something to it, and take a lot away from my experience.   

I read that this was your first car chase and it was great.  How did you approach the filming of the chase?

Thank you, I wason top of the world that day!  (Yes we did that all in ONE DAY!) Well, I made no bones about it to Chris and Jonathan and Jimmy, everyone — “I have never done a car chase, I have no idea how to do this!”   I was nervous and excited about getting that opportunity.  Luckily, and Chris told me not to fret, “we have a great team”.  

Southland has a fabulous stunt coordinator Pee Wee (Richard Piemont) who really taught me how to break a car chase down into sections, which made it so much easier for me to wrap my head around it.  We sometimes forget when we’re making movies or shooting TV shows that we are basically gathering the material during production to tell our story, we’re not shooting the story whole!  It’s all pieces for assembly.  It’s like if you’re making a dress or a craft, or cooking a great dish — you’re sketching out your idea and gathering your materials before you begin making it. Production is exhilarating, but really you are not making the actual film or show during this time, you’re getting your material.  

So when you break down a car chase into beats it makes it so much easier to plot it out, to organize it, to wrap your head around it.  So I ended up writing it down for myself like this:  1. On Cahuenga: Chickie gets out of the car, tells the suspect to stop.  She chases him on foot, Dewey follows in the car. 2. Alley off Cahuenga to Cosmo:  Chickie chases suspect down the alley, Dewey pulls down alley.  Suspect jumps in accomplice’s car.  3.  Cosmo to Selma: Chickie gets in car with Dewey in pursuit…etc;

It takes a lot of people working together to pull off a good car chase.  My first AD Warren Gray and producer Jon Pare and location manager Mike Haro and I got in the van and drove the streets Mike proposed for the chase. Along with Pee Wee, we also needed the expertise of the great guys in transportation, and the LAPD traffic control officer who can shut down traffic, during certain times, for often less than 2 minutes at a time.  We needed this to be able to shoot the chase down Selma Ave which is in a pretty dense part of Hollywood.  So we found the best dips in the blocks to get a little lift and bounce on the cars as they sped over them, we’d only have a minute to stop traffic for our chase.   Remember that amazing scene in Chris’s opening episode of the season, when Ben and Cooper are trying to stop the sniper down Hollywood Blvd?  That was all done in 90 second pieces — incredible!

I was particularly happy with our car chase route because it meant that the chase would ended with the iconic Capitol Records Building in the shot.  DP Jimmy Muro teased me that it was all about the Capitol Records Building for me!  HA!  But, he was partly right, and I knew Chris and Jonathan would like it too because that location is so LA.  The Capitol Records Building is one of the few iconic landmarks to survive, because anyone who knows this city and loves it, is often heartbroken by landmarks being mowed down and discarded and demolished.  That landmark means a lot to anyone who really knows Los Angeles and Hollywood.  It’s a part of our lives, and definitely a part of the lives of Southland’s characters.

So it was matter of really putting my trust in the hands of people who knew how to do it, and maintain a point of view and keeping the emotional beats at the front of the stunt, while allowing the team to do what they do best.  And I guess for some directors that may feel like they’re not ‘directing’ but I learned that from one of the greats — Martin Scorsese, who was a producer of one of my movies (“Grace Of My Heart”) and a mentor to me. He taught me:  hire the best and let them do their best.

What was it like working with the cast and crew of SouthLAnd?

Well I’ve been talking a lot about the great crew, so let me just give my love now to the cast.  You can rest assured that the Southland cast is 100% worthy of your admiration.  I love actors, I am very much an actors director because I am so empathetic to how vulnerable they are required to be in order to tell the story.  So I am always touched to the core by how much they give.  But I don’t think I have ever worked with a group of actors so completely dedicated to their show and to their characters.   They are all completely different in their approach to their craft, but each one is entirely dedicated.  These actors are any director’s dream cast!  And all such good people.  There was no ego stuff, no neurotic stuff, no one with their head in the wrong place. They care about the WORK, the scene, getting the best.  And if something wasn’t working they were the first to point it out, so we could adjust to make it the best it could be.  They all get along with each other too!  You’d be surprised how often THAT is not the case.  

What knowledge and/or memories did you take from this experience?

Well because you have such pros on this show, hearing their stories — other films and TV they’d worked on before,  was such a treat for me.  I also loved working with the LAPD consultant Chic Daniels — what a godsend, and what an incredible life of experiences to draw from.  And my god — that stunt team!   Jeannie Epper, the stunt lady playing the woman who is hit and killed by Dewey and Chickie in the car chase, is a legend.  She’s worked under the direction of some of the greatest directors in the world, and has done every genre of film.  She’s done everything from “Kill Bill 2″ all the way back to “Cheyenne Autumn” (under the direction of the great John Ford!).   What an incredible opportunity it was for me!

Is there anyone who has influenced your career?

A lot of people, but I have people had 2 mentors; directors Wim Wenders and Martin Scorsese.  And now after Southland I have a third Chris Chulack!

Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on?

Not really, my films are all my babies.  But I definitely have to say that this was my favorite work I’ve done on any TV show, it feels as precious to me as my own films.  I’m very proud of it.

Is there a certain genre you like to work with? You’ve directed a lot of documentaries.

Actually I haven’t made any docs (well one on Joni Mitchell was started but never finished).  Most of my work has been done in indie features.   I love doing character driven work with great detail.  So of course, I was well suited to Southland!  I also think I’d be well-suited to Mad Men, don’t you?  :)

What project are you currently working on?

I’m presently working on a film “Strutter” which is the last film in a trilogy about LA music scenes that I’ve co-directed with Kurt Voss. We made our first film in the trilogy at UCLA film school in 1986 “Border Radio” (which is my only film lucky enough to be on DVD in the exquisite Criterion Collection.)  Our second film in the trilogy “Sugar Town” was made in 1998.  We’re shooting “Strutter” now, it’s about a love triangle amongst young LA musicians inspired by the Brit Pop romance of Brett ‘Suede’, Justine ‘Elastica’, and Damon ‘Blur’.  We raised our financing through crowd-funding on Kickstarter.  I’ll include a link here so you can read more about it.  http://larecord.com/interviews/2011/02/15/allison-anders-and-kurt-voss-be-a-wonder-in-yourself

Anything else you would like to add?

Southland is so lucky to have such great fans, and thank you for making me feel as welcome as the cast and crew did!

Allison has a public page on Facebook (Allison Anders).  Or you can follow her on Twitter at @MsAllisonAnders.

For on-the-set photos by Allison Anders http://www.southlandforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=347&p=2772#p2772