[Interview] Michael Welch: thestarscoop

Michael Welch

He plays science smart Luke Girardi on CBS's Joan of Arcadia but Michael Welch is surprisingly different from his onscreen personality! As you'll find out, Michael has gotten almost as much recognition for his parts in shows and movies like the Sci-Fi's Stargate SG-1, as well as Star Trek: Insurrection, as he has for Joan of Arcadia. Michael talks here about being part of a hit show, and what he's really like.

THESTARSCOOP:

How did you get the role of Luke Girardi?

MICHAEL WELCH:

Well, I went through kind of a basic audition process like everyone else. What's interesting is that I did an episode of Judging Amy which is Barbara Hall's other show. She created Judging Amy and she also created Joan of Arcadia and is writing for Joan of Arcadia now. So I think what happened, I'm not 100% sure on this - I'll have to check with Barbara one of these days - but I think what happened is because of that I was able to go straight to her and straight to the director and audition in front of them instead of going through the whole process - the whole kind of cattle call casting process. And it's actually funny - I was there with Jason Ritter. The two of us were (laughs) with each other all the steps of the way. Right from the start, the first audition on the studio we were walking down and we both saw each other. We were both kind of walking in the same direction. I think he said to me - he was the first one to talk to me and he said, 'are you auditioning for Joan of Arcadia?' and I said, 'yeah.' and he's like, 'Oh Okay. cool." I'm Michael. I'm Jason. And we were with each other the whole time. I think there were three or four auditions after that and we saw each other each time and we were really pulling for each other the whole way. So it was really interesting how the two of us kind of went through this audition journey together and then both ended up getting it. That was just so cool.

And basically I went to Barbara and I auditioned in front of her and everyone else in the room and they really loved what I did with the character. I mean I first read the description of the character and it said that Luke is a total loser, loner, you know, has no friends, science geek and I was like I don't know if I want to do this part. I don't really want to play that kind of character. But I read the script and I totally didn't see him that way at all. So I went into the audition and everyone else was wearing the pocket protectors and the suit and the glasses with tape over them and I just went in with jeans and a T-shirt and just did the part how I wanted to do it and they loved it. And if they didn't love it, if they wanted me to go the more geeky route, I don't know if I would have been able to do it, because that's just not how I saw the character. So I did that, I went through a few more auditions and I got the job.

The other thing that's cool about it is that Judging Amy - I didn't get a part on Judging Amy until auditioning for that show about 20 times. I mean literally, every single time I would come close but never quite got it. And because of Judging Amy I was able to go straight to producers on Joan of Arcadia. This stuff doesn't just happen overnight, I mean this was kind of a long process over a period of years to get to the point where I am now.

THESTARSCOOP:

Do you watch the finished product of the show? [Joan of Arcadia]

WELCH:

Absolutely, all the time. I'm actually like a huge fan of the show which I think is nice because it's a lot better to be part of a show that you like being a part of and like actually watching as opposed to something that you don't enjoy. I think I have to because, first of all, I like to see just how the shows end up from the original script but also because I like to watch myself and critique my performances each week. To me that's the only way that you can get better. And I know a lot of actors don't like to watch themselves and sometimes I don't, but generally I do because I like to just see if there's anything that I can change in the future or make better or anything like that. But I really do enjoy watching the show and I'm a fan just as much as anyone.

THESTARSCOOP:

Since you watch the show, which version of the many forms god takes is your favorite [on Joan of Arcadia]?

WELCH:

There have been so many great "gods" on the show, so many great character actors. Like the woman who plays what's called "old lady god" - she's wonderful on the show and then also the little girl god, who is Juliette, who I believe was seven when the show first started and she's kinda growing up with the show which I think is really cool. And then of course our original god, Kris Lemche, who plays quote un quote cute boy god on the show - he's fantastic. And I really kind of attribute a lot of the success of the show to him because if god didn't work, then the show wasn't going to work and Kris Lemche really made it work. So he's definitely one of my favorites. More recently, Mike Starr who plays the tough guy god who's always in the bookstore talking about sensitive kind of books. He's really great. I think that's one of the things that's great about the show - you just never know who god is going to be. And it's going to be interesting to see where they go from here. I think it would be interesting to have a few disabled gods one way or the other. That's something that we haven't really seen on the show yet. But I think we have plenty of time to keep exploring with that and keep bringing back the gods that we do like. It's gonna be interesting to see what happens.

THESTARSCOOP:

Do you have a favorite episode that you've done?

WELCH:

From the whole series? My very favorite episode - I think it will always be my favorite episode was an episode called "Jump," which was in the first season, it was the 12th episode. It was a really amazing script, it was beautifully directed and it was just so great. It was the one where that little kid Rocky died, the kid that Joan was babysitting. And then she goes to his funeral. And then also, there was a whole thing with Luke and Grace at the science fair. It was a science fair episode. I mean, I just thought it was so dynamic and so great. But there have been so many great episodes in the first two seasons; it's hard to pick one. But that one definitely stands out for me.

THESTARSCOOP:

What do you think it is it about the show [Joan of Arcadia] that it can handle both comedy and drama?

WELCH:

Well, that's life. There's comedy and drama in life and I think they both need each other to survive. I mean, can you imagine life with nothing but drama all the time? It would just so dry, so boring. You have to have the comedy in there. You have to have the humor in shows. I think the humor is what gives it life but if it was just all humor, then it would be like a sitcom. I mean there's nothing wrong with a sitcom, it's just not our show. That would be like every single line is a punch line or a setup or something and that's not what we're trying to do with the show. So I think one of the things that was so great about the show right from the start was the realism and how it replicates real life in many ways even though it's kind of an abstract theme. So I think that's why they're able to pull it off so well because there is that balance in real life so the writers just kind of found that and the actors I think pull it off really well.

THESTARSCOOP:

Pick two of your costars from Joan of Arcadia and tell us about them.

WELCH:

Well I guess I'll pick Jason and Amber. I might as well. They've kind of been with me from the start. Jason is absolutely crazy. He's insane and I love him. He's just like a constant source of entertainment for everybody on the set all the time and he's just so funny. I really don't think everyone has seen the extent of his talent yet. He is just unbelievable - how diverse he is and how amazing he is and he's really smart and he's really funny and he's just a great guy. I love working with him. And I love hanging out with him, too. That's the other thing - is that we all hang out outside of the show. I've never really seen a show where the cast hangs out as much as we do. In fact, I should probably give some of my other friends a call sometime (laughs).

And then Amber. I've never really met anyone quite like Amber before. I mean, she's a musician and a poet and really one of those renaissance people who can do everything. And not only that, but she's so good at everything she does and so committed to everything she does, and so funny. She is smart, too. She's very politically involved and I really respect that about her. She's just great to work with. In a way they've really kind of become my second family, and that's not taking anything away from my real family. I love my real family to death. But I really kind of do consider Jason and Amber my other siblings and Joe and Mary my other parents in a way. I don't think that's going to go away when the show goes away. I think we're all going to continue to be friends for years.

THESTARSCOOP:

How does Mary Steenburgen as your mother on Joan compare to your mom?

WELCH:

Oh, man. Helen vs. my mom. Well, they're both very instinctual people, but that's pretty much it. My mom's pretty out there. She's awesome, she's a wacky one. But they both obviously love their kids very much. I am the youngest child, well so is Luke but Luke's kind of the youngest of three. I have one older sister who is much older than I am so I've had a lot more attention growing up than Luke did and I think it's one of the reasons why I became an actor. I was a very interesting little boy. I was kind of a weird child. My mom was just so supportive of my creativity when I was younger and I thank her so much for that, and I think it's probably the only reason why I'm here today able to do this. In terms of the differences, they're just totally different people, Helen and my mom. My mom's like a Jewish new Yorker and just really out going and talks to anybody. I'll leave the room for five minutes and come back and she'll have already gotten into a conversation with someone and know their life story. She's just unbelievable. They're very different but they're both very good moms I think in different ways.

THESTARSCOOP:

Are you ever uncomfortable with all the kissing scenes you have to do?

WELCH:

The first onscreen kiss I ever had was on Joan of Arcadia with Becky Wahlstrom - with Grace. It was in the eleventh episode of the show where Grace kissed Luke at the Science fair. It was nerve-wracking. I was so nervous, I didn't know what to do, I didn't know how to handle it. It's just one of those weird things that you almost just kind of have to do a few times like an onscreen kiss before you can get used to it. Really kind of weird. Becky is so cool and I was so comfortable with her. And my first onscreen make out was with Mageina Tovah who plays Glynis. And that was just as nerve-wracking if not more because that wasn't just like a kiss that was a full out going at it. That was even more weird. What's cool is that Becky and Mageina are such cool people and I was so comfortable with them that it wasn't really that bad. I would assume that it's not as easy to do a scene like that with someone that you don't get along with. Because the two of them were so great and I would consider really good friends at that point, it wasn't that awkward. Now it's like, Becky and I are pros at it.

THESTARSCOOP:

How does Luke’s school life compare with yours?

WELCH:

Well, Luke's a genius and I'm not. There's that (laughs). Basically, I am in kind of like an independent study program and I work one on one with a tutor. I'm just going through pretty much just the basic high school classes that you have to go through. I work everyday at it; I'll meet with this guy everyday. It's actually a really good education to just work one on one with someone else - with a professional. But Luke obviously has to go to the public high school and he's probably taking more advanced courses than I am. I mean, I'm certainly not in A.P. physics. We just have different skill levels in different areas. Luke is obviously a genius when it comes to science and school and all that stuff and I think I'm probably a better pinball player than Luke, I'm pretty good at that. But no, I'm just kidding (laughs). We have totally different lives. The school situation is an interesting thing for actors but for me it's working out really well.

THESTARSCOOP:

You got to go to the Emmy's. What was that like?

WELCH:

That whole first season ride was unbelievable, because I went through all the statistics just to get on a show and have the show be successful. That in itself is just unbelievable - in terms of the odds of that happening to an actor. Then we went to The People's Choice Awards and we won there. And then for a first season show to get nominated for three Emmy's and one of them being Best Drama, (laughs) it was insane. That realization never actually hit me until we went to the red carpet and I saw it and I saw all of the photographers and all of the famous people that I admired so much over the past five years. It was absolutely unbelievable. I can't even describe the feeling at all. Honestly, the only thing that I think will ever replicate that feeling will be to go to the Oscars hopefully one day or if we want to talk in more realistic terms, have something on the show win an Emmy. It was really insane. Some 17 year old kid getting to go to the Emmy's - I just don't even know how to put that in words. It was everything that I dreamt that it would be. It was amazing.

THESTARSCOOP:

Who is your favorite cartoon character of all time?

WELCH:

Oh, good question. I think I'm going to have to go with Homer Simpson. Homer has been more inspirational to me (laughs) than probably any cartoon character. What he represents, I think, there's a part of that in everybody. There certainly is in me, and I love that.

THESTARSCOOP:

Of all the reality shows out there, which one would you most like to go on?

WELCH:

Well. Let me think about this. I don't really watch too many of them because in essence, reality show kind of put other actors out of work in a way. But actually I think it'd be a lot of fun to go on something like The Amazing Race - one of those adventurous shows where there's a lot of physical activity. I would say something like Fear Factor but I couldn't handle eating things. I could do everything physical that they would want me to do but when it comes to eating live creatures - no - I couldn't do that. So if I had to choose one I'd probably pick The Amazing Race.

THESTARSCOOP:

Complete this sentence: Do not, I repeat, do not make me eat…

WELCH:

Brussels sprouts. That's kind of the worst right there. I can't think of anything I can't stand the taste of less than brussels sprouts.

THESTARSCOOP:

Is there something that you've been waiting for someone to ask you about but they never did?

WELCH:

Wow. Now I have never been asked that question before. That's a really good question. Oh jeez, my Pokemon collection (laughs), no, I'm kidding. Let me think about that for a minute. I want to give an appropriate answer for such a brilliantly well done question. I think generally I like to be asked about personal things - personal heroes of mine, personal influences and things like that because I just think that it really gives more of an insight. I would imagine that a lot of the answers would just start to sound the same after a while. With the questions like what was it like to work with this person - I would assume that very few actors say, 'Horrible. It was a terrible experience, I hated every second of it.' So I would think that those answers get pretty boring after a while because it's kind of like, 'Oh yeah, it was great, it was wonderful.' But when it comes to personal questions, especially when it comes to influences and people like that. I mean that's cool because it gives people a different insight. You're not going to have two people come up with the same answers when you ask questions like that. If anything I think it would be something like that. That's all I can think of. Nothing specific, generally more personal stuff I guess.

THESTARSCOOP:

Who would be your heroes and influences, since you mentioned it?

WELCH:

Oh, well thanks for asking. I've had a lot of different influences in a lot of different areas in my life. With sports it was definitely Michael Jordan. Musically, my biggest musical influence is John Lennon by far. My sister got me into the Beatles at a very young age. At first I wasn't really sure why I liked Lenin so much. I just knew that I did. Now I've kind of realized that he just seemed too evolved to me in a weird sense, like he's just on another plane of existence. And then also John Bonham of Led Zeppelin. He's the drummer of Led Zeppelin. He's kind of the reason why I became a drummer. He's so simple and I love his style so much. Even though he does these beats that any decent drummer can do, he does them in a way that when you listen to it, you go, 'That can't be anyone other than John Bonham.'

THESTARSCOOP:

Is there something about you that your fans don't know?

WELCH:

Well, I guess a truly hardcore fan would know this somehow - no I have no idea how anyone would. But I used to collect Magic cards. There's this card game called Magic: The Gathering. I had probably seven decks. It's one of those dungeon and dragons type games. I didn't even think for a second that it was nerdy what I was doing at all. I just collected these cards and made these really awesome decks. I would think that most people don't know that. And if you think less of me now that you do know that, well you know, that's your problem (lighthearted).

THESTARSCOOP:

Are you getting recognized yet? Are people bothering you or asking for autographs?

WELCH:

That's definitely happening. It's not a bother at all to me at this point. It's incredible every time it happens. I love it. I love any kind of recognition because as an actor I'm very hard on myself sometimes. I can't tell you how many times after a days work I've been driving home going, 'Oh my god, you're horrible. Why are you doing this? Sooner or later people are going to find out that you're a total phony and that will be it. You're career's over. You're wasting your time.' Just all that stuff. I go through that a lot - that little mental journey. And then what will happen right after that almost always someone at a grocery store or wherever will come up to me and tell me how much they enjoy the show and tell me how much they enjoy my part in the show and kind of what it means to them and they'll ask for an autograph. It really validates that I gotta be doing this for some kind of reason. I love it every single time. I've had everyone from a six year old kid to a 70 year old woman. Every race, religion, age, any ethnic group you can think of has complimented me on this show or my part in the show or even on other stuff. I did an episode of Stargate and I've almost gotten just as much recognition from that one episode as I have from Joan of Arcadia. When it gets to the point where it's a bother, that almost seems kind of ungrateful to me. It shows you that people are appreciating what you do.