Josh Charles Looks Back on "Sports Night" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 08-12-2015, 11:59 PM

Josh Charles on "Sports Night"
by Dan Snierson
August 12 2015

In this Aaron Sorkin comedy-drama hybrid, Charles and Peter Krause starred as Dan Rydell and Casey McCall, a pair of smart-mouthed anchors on a SportsCenter-like program.

The second episode we shot [which contained Dan’s emotional speech about his younger brother] showed me the potential power of what this show could do – of having humor and then dropping in moments of intense drama. But the ability, tonally, to turn on a dime was part of why I wanted to do the show. That was the idea behind it, that it wasn’t going to just be a yuk-yuk show….

When I read that episode and that moment, I knew, "Wow, this is something special. It’s capturing all of this in a half hour." There were a lot of moments like that.

It was not the easiest show to make – it’s tricky to turn all that out quickly – but I laughed so hard making the show, so many times. I loved everyone on that show.

Working with someone like Robert Guillaume – his grace and calm and absolute badass charm was memorable – and the friendships that have endured: Josh Malina is still a very good friend, as is Peter. Peter and I spent a lot of time together. He and I just saw each other and were just talking about this: We made each other laugh so hard, it was hard to get through takes sometimes. No actor I’ve ever worked with has made me laugh harder….

It was a great two years. I don’t really look back with any regret. The positive of doing something for only two years is you never have the ability to wear out your welcome or jump the shark, you know? You get in, you get out, and you keep people wanting more.

And there’s something to be said for that.

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/07...e-career-roles

08-12-2015, 11:59 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	Josh Charles Looks Back on "Sports Night" *Josh Charles on "Sports Night"* by Dan Snierson August 12 2015 *In this Aaron Sorkin comedy-drama hybrid, Charles and Peter Krause starred as Dan Rydell and Casey McCall, a pair of smart-mouthed anchors on a SportsCenter-like program.* The second episode we shot [which contained Dan’s emotional speech about his younger brother] showed me the potential power of what this show could do – of having humor and then dropping in moments of intense drama. But the ability, tonally, to turn on a dime was part of why I wanted to do the show. That was the idea behind it, that it wasn’t going to just be a yuk-yuk show…. When I read that episode and that moment, I knew, "Wow, this is something special. It’s capturing all of this in a half hour." There were a lot of moments like that. It was not the easiest show to make – it’s tricky to turn all that out quickly – but I laughed so hard making the show, so many times. I loved everyone on that show. Working with someone like Robert Guillaume – his grace and calm and absolute badass charm was memorable – and the friendships that have endured: Josh Malina is still a very good friend, as is Peter. Peter and I spent a lot of time together. He and I just saw each other and were just talking about this: We made each other laugh so hard, it was hard to get through takes sometimes. No actor I’ve ever worked with has made me laugh harder…. It was a great two years. I don’t really look back with any regret. The positive of doing something for only two years is you never have the ability to wear out your welcome or jump the shark, you know? You get in, you get out, and you keep people wanting more. And there’s something to be said for that. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/07...e-career-roles