[Interview] Michael Welch: starrymag

Q. Are there any projects that you are working on currently besides "Joan of Arcadia?"

A. You know "Joan of Arcadia" and school are pretty much taking up all my time. I am still in high school, I'm still finishing that up, I'm a senior this year so I am kind of in my last months of that so there is a lot of work to get done. I'm pretty much just focusing on those two things but I am auditioning and hopefully I'll be able to do movies this summer, that'd be pretty cool.

Q. What's a typical day like for you on the set of "Joan of Arcadia?"

A. Well, basically I show up, get into wardrobe, get into makeup and everything and then just hang around with a bunch of my friends for about ten hours. That's pretty much how it is, and you know, it's fun because we pretty much, the actors on the show pretty much have our characters down. We get along so well and we hang out off set all the time, so it's cool, it's basically like I'm going and getting paid to hang out with my friends and do what I love to do. It's just a blast, I have a great time with it, now sometimes with more serious scenes we kind of don't mess around as much but we still do, we can't help it.

Q. Recently both Haylie and Hilary Duff have guest starred on "Joan of Arcadia," what was it like getting to work with both Duff sisters?

A. You know it's funny, I've actually known Hilary Duff since before she was on Lizzie McGuire, I mean I've known her forever. Haylie I've known for years as well, so I mean they're really cool girls, really sweet girls. This is the first chance that I've gotten to work with them so it was a lot of fun, we had a good time, they really blended with our group really well. The episodes have come out really well so far, Hilary's episode just aired and two out of three episodes of Haylie's have aired and they're coming out really well. It was a lot of fun to work with both of them, they're really cool girls.

Q. What's it like for you getting to work with a cast that is so diverse in age?

A. That's fun, that's really a lot of fun, because I'm in with school stuff and family stuff, so I get to work with people my own age and then I get to also work with Mary Steenburgen and Joe Mantegna who are a little bit older. Yeah it's great, it's really cool, in fact Becky Wahlstrom plays Grace on the show, she's pretty much only is in the school scenes. So, there was one scene when she came over to the Girardi's house and she got to meet the parents and she was so excited that she got to work with adults, it was like a treat for her. With me, I get to do that all the time and it's really cool I am all over the place, it's fun that way.

Q. Do you have a most memorable moment from your time filming "Joan of Arcadia?"

A. Oh one moment, ah geez, that's a good question. On my first day I think it was last year when I turned seventeen, they made this really big deal out of it. Joe Mantegna plays Fat Tony on "The Simpsons" and "The Simpsons," by the way, is one of my all time favorite shows and he knows that. He brought me this jacket, this official "Simpsons" jacket that had my name on it, and only the cast is allowed to wear this jacket. That moment was just so cool for me that they did this for me. Another one is Jason Ritter is so insane, it's hard to just pick one moment, because every single day he's constantly entertaining us and is just all over the place. It was the episode where Cloris Leachman guest starred and she is one of my all time favorite actresses. It was a scene where her character Aunt Olive was getting the family to eat crickets and Christopher Marquette who plays Adam Rove on the show, he was also in the scene. In the scene he eats a cricket and he was just so grossed out that he couldn't do it, like there is no way that he could do it. He had to completely fake it and just bugs and things like that completely grossed him out. So, what happened was that Amber, Jason and I throughout the day would keep taking a cricket, 'cuz these were actual crickets that we were eating, and we kept putting them down his shirt. Every time he'd have the same reaction, he would start spazzing out and have to take off his shirt and just wipe his body and I mean it was nuts, we just kept doing it all day. Literally, about after ten times they had to tell us to stop but I cannot tell you how much fun it was to do that, I know it was mean, but he forgave us.

Q. Luke has gone for two different kinds of girls on the show, Glynis who is smart and nerdy girl and Grace is the smart and complicated girl. Which girl do you see yourself leaning more towards in real life?

A. In real life me, I think I'd try and find a little balance between the two girls, I definitely need a smart girl, I don't think I could handle anything else. But, Glynis is just so smart and so into Science and then Grace on the other hand is really smart and really independent. So, I guess I would lean more towards Grace but she's just so negative and such an anarchist and such a conspiracy theorists but it's hard to have a conversation with people like that in real life. But I do, I have friends like that in real life, but in terms of dating someone like that, I don't think that I'd want to do that. I definitely would lean more towards Grace but there has to be a happy little balance in between there I would think.

Q. Luke and Friedman have a great friendship together on the show, do you and Aaron Himelstein have the same happy kind of friendship off set?

A. Yeah we do, Aaron is another example of someone I've known for a long time. I've known him for a long time before the show even started and we really started to become good friends as the show progressed and as our relationship progressed. I think that it shows in the episodes, I mean if you watch the scenes with Luke and Friedman we're kind of just overlapping each other and it just really is real and alive. I think that kind of trust can only happen if we really are friends in real life 'cuz otherwise you try and be careful with stuff like that. You don't want to make the other actor upset that you are kind of trying to overshadow him or overlap his lines but we don't care. I think that shows on screen, so yeah Aaron and I have a really great friendship.

Q. The show seems to have a great message to it no matter the episode, as the show progresses, do you think that the show can sustain that?

A. I think so, I think we can, because A) there is a ton of reoccurring themes that we bring back several time and B) it's not the same formula each week. Sometimes you can see Joan, Joan can see exactly how she is help and exactly who she has helped. And sometimes she doesn't know, it's all over the place, sometimes she helps herself and sometimes she helps the people around her. It just completely is either in direct ways or indirect ways, 'cuz there are so many different ways that she helps people, kind of the ripple effect of what they've mentioned on the show, through what G-d tells her to do. Yeah they can come up with storylines forever, I know what you're saying it would be kind of difficult to maintain a consistent message each week and I think we're doing a pretty good job of it so far and I think that's going to continue.

Q. "Joan of Arcadia" has had a lot of great guest stars on the show, is there anyone you'd like to see make an appearance?

A. First of all, Cloris Leachman and Louise Fletcher have been two of our guest stars and that right there you can't ask for anything better than that, those two right there are a couple of my favorites. I would love to see you know this is weird, I'd love to see Christopher Walken play G-d, that's just something that strikes me as cool. I don't know why, but, it's probably never going to happen. But, I think that it would just be funny to see him play G-d and I don't think there would ever be a G-d like him again, I just think it would be fun.

Q. Is there anything that you'd like to say to fans and supporters of your career?

A. Well, the only thing that I can say to my fans and supporters, and I know this is kind of a cliché thing to do, but thank you. There is really nothing else to say, without you guys I don't have a job, or at least it's not as much fun. The most gratifying thing in the world is when someone comes up to me and appreciates my work and anything like that. I can't tell you how many times I've come home from work, because I'm very hard on myself, I've said "Why are you doing this? You are wasting your time! This is never going to work out, sooner or later they're going to figure out you're a hack and it's going to be the end of your career." Then as soon as I say that to myself this couple will come up to me or I'll get a letter that says I love your show or I love your work on it and keep it up. In a way that is what kind of keeps me going, what keeps me into it, I know that somehow in someway it is positively affecting someone, I think that's the most gratifying thing out of this whole business.

http://www.starrymag.com/content.asp?ID=1364&CATEGORY=Interviews
http://www.michaelwelchonline.com

[Interview] Michael Welch: kriselen

Name: Michael Welch
Date: January 2005
Official Site: Website


Plays Luke on Joan of Arcadia
Plays the drums as a hobby

Michael Welch
What makes actors so good is not so much the perfection in the execution of a role, but having the passion in what he does and loving every part of becoming a character. That is the impression I got when I talked to Michael Welch-his love for what he does, and his passion to become the character he portrays. "It was really fun and challenging to do that because I never done anything like that before. I did my research on it and visited an autistic school. I talked to the counselors and observed the kids, and from that I developed my own character and figured out how I wanted to do it," said Michael, as he talked about his part as an autistic kid in the independent film The United States of Leland. Michael admitted that doing the research was as much fun as the part itself.

Currently, Michael is on the hit CBS show Joan of Arcadia, playing the role of Luke, the somewhat ignored middle child who could be stereotyped as a "nerd." Michael, who was a little leery about such a stereotypical role, was easily won over after a run through of the script. "So I started reading the script, and when it got to page 11 where the guy said, 'I am God,' I was like, whoa. Then I knew where it was going. I thought CBS just needed a replacement for Touched By An Angel, but it was much more than that. I also saw Luke as cool person-not really a geek at all. I could relate to him and saw him as a sarcastic, ignored middle child that happens to have a passion about science. I remember in the audition that a lot of people had the pocket protector and the tape around the glasses-the normal "geek" stuff. I just went in there with jeans and T-shirt and did the part the way I saw it. The first script is what initially attracted me. The script was beautifully written," explained Michael.

Joan of Arcadia is a show that is not centered around teenage angst and heartache, which has become the basic plot point of every other show targeted to the young adult demographic. Joan of Arcadia takes people deeper than that. This probably attributes to its strong following-a show with depth and a realism that has not gone unnoticed by viewers, or even to the show's actors for that matter. Michael talked about how the show even teaches him lessons about life: "One lesson that has really got me is that you have to see where you can do the most good. There are a lot of situations in life that doesn't appear to have any solution to them. It's been an on-going theme on the show. Life is all about choices and we do have free will, and you kind of have to think about the chain reaction of how things are going to affect you and the people around you."

So where will we see Michael in five years? We could all wish that Joan of Arcadia will still be in the cards, but whatever he does, it will be something he is passionate about, because it is his passion for acting and the roles that he takes on that has brought him such success thus far.

Interview

You have played a lot of diverse roles thus far in your career. What has been your favorite role?

Michael: Other than Joan of Arcadia, I think my two favorite roles I have done-it's a tie-I did this movie called United States of Leeland and I played an autistic kid and it was an independent movie with Kevin Spacey and Ryan Goslin. It was really fun and challenging to do that because I never done anything like that before. I did my research on it and visited an autistic school. I talked to the counselors and observed the kids and from that I developed my own character and figured out how I wanted to do it. Doing the research was as much fun at the part itself. The other favorite is definitely the most recognized one after Joan of Arcadia is Star Gate SG1. I played a clone of Colonel Jack O'Neil, which is Richard Demandesin's character. So I basically had to be him. The whole process of watching tapes of him and really figuring out his character-it was really cool. The people were really great too so those two would be my favorites other than Joan of Arcadia.

It seems like you put a lot of research into your roles. Is their a specific type of role you really want to do, but haven't gotten to do yet?

Michael: This is going to sound weird, but I would love to play some kind of psychopath. I haven't done that yet. Some kind of serial killer because I would never do that in real life, so that is the fun of acting is that you get to do things that you normally would never get to do. So that would be definitely something I would love to try.

So is acting something you always wanted to do?

Michael: Absolutely. The only other thing I could see myself getting into professionally is either writing or directing in movies or television. Acting is really it. The only other thing I'm close to being good at is playing the drums and I'm definitely more passionate about the acting. Drums are more of a hobby.

So you would never join a band?

Michael: I was in a band with a bunch of other actors before so the four of us were focused on acting so the music was more of our back up thing. So we would meet once in a blue moon just to jam together and do a couple gigs, but it wasn't anything serious.

So your character on Joan of Arcadia is really evolving in the 2nd season. What initially attracted you to the role?

Michael: I read the breakdown and the description of the characters first. I read the description of Luke and they described him as really nerdy, loner, has no friends type guy. So at first I said this is something I don't really want to do because I don't like playing nerds-playing stereotypes. I saw that Joe Montania and Mary Steinburgence were attached to the project. So I decided to give it a shot since I'm sure those two wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't halfway decent. So I started reading the script and when it got to page 11 where the guy said, "I am God," I was like whoa. Then I knew where it was going. I thought CBS just needed a replacement for "Touched By An Angel" but it was much more than that. I also saw Luke as cool person, not really a geek at all. I could relate to him and saw him as a sarcastic, ignored middle child that happens to have a passion about science. I remember in the audition that a lot of people had the pocket protector and the tape around the glasses-the normal "geek" stuff. I just went in there with jeans and t-shirt and did the part the way I saw it. The first script is what initially attracted me. The script was beautifully written.

What direction do you want to see Luke move towards?

Michael: He's changed so much since the first episode. He is totally a different person, but he is still "Luke." To be honest, I love where the writers have taken it. I trust them. I love all the stuff I have with Grace this year and the relationship between Luke and Joan. They kind of dropped the relationship with Luke and Kevin. Honestly, my number one request would be to see more family stuff with Luke in it. I love doing the high school stuff, but I think the really core of the show started with the family stuff. I think that is where the "soul" of the show is so I would love to see it go back to the basics as well.

One thing I like about this show is that it's not stereotypical. What is one thing you learned from being on this show?

Michael: We have a lot of great lessons on the show, but the one lesson that has really got me is that you have to see where you can do the most good. There are a lot of situations in life that doesn't appear to have any solution to them. It's been an on-going theme on the show. Life is all about choices and we do have free will and you kind of have to think about the chain reaction of how things are going to affect you and the people around you.

You do a lot of charity work, especially with Kids with a Cause. How important is that to you?

Michael: I don't necessarily have a responsibility, but I have a unique opportunity to really do some good. That's why I think so many celebrities become activists because we really do have an opportunity to change the world for the better. It's really important to me because I guess my parents did a good job raising me (laughs). They taught me the importance of giving back and I've been unbelievably luckily. I'm so blessed so I have no reason to not give back. Honestly it's for selfish reasons (laughs) because if I didn't, I would feel bad because I really do have an opportunity to help. The important thing though is to find good charities. There is so much I want to help with and I just want to do it all, but I see now that I can't do that. I'm looking it all areas to see what I really want to focus and help in, but charity work is definitely important to me.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Michael: That's a great question. Career wise, I really don't know. So far, I have been consistently working since I was ten, so I hope to continue to work. I just don't know in what field of the entertainment industry. I could be in plays or on another show. Or I can become one of those cool independent actors that do 4-5 movies a year, but no one really knows who they are.

I've noticed you have done a lot of independent movies.

Michael: Yes, but it's not really by choice. I'm kind of in a position now, with Joan of Arcadia, to be a little pickier with the roles I want to take, but everything up until Joan of Arcadia was, "I auditioned for it, I got the role-and its work." When an actor begins his career, they can't really turn anything down. I would love to do independent movies and pretty much do it all. I want to explore everything and not get caught in one thing. After this show is over, I won't do another role like Luke for another five years at least. So I really have no idea where I see myself in five years. So I'll just keep working and see where it goes. It's going to be fun.

Who are your inspirations, acting wise?

Michael: Originally, I got into acting through comedy. My biggest comic influences were Jim Carey and Robin Williams. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective really kind of launched my career. I also love Edward Norton and Kevin Spacey.

What message would you like to give to your fans?

Michael: Thank you! The fans are just the people that enjoyed what I do. I can't tell you have appreciative I am of them. It's really amazing especially between Joan of Arcadia and Star Gate, the fans have really helped my career go forward. So the fans are really important and I really do appreciate what they have done for me. I started this website for people who watch Joan of Arcadia to go see what I'm up to. They can check it out at www.michaelwelchfanclub.com. By the way, I didn't pick that name so it will probably be changing very soon (laughs).

[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.

MW GateWorld interview

GateWorld: This is David Read for GateWorld.net talking with Michael Welch. How are you doing, Michael?

Michael Welch: Hey! Good, man. How are you doing?

GW: I'm not too bad. Terrific to have you with us.

MW: Oh, yeah! Thank you very much!

GW: You were voted very high in the GateWorld Forum for folks who wanted to hear from you, so this really is a pleasure.

MW: Yeah, I heard about that -- and I heard that I was actually number two, which raises the question: Who beat me? Who was number one?

GW: Number one was Tom McBeath: Maybourne.

MW: OK, cool. So that's fine -- I can live with that.

GW: Yes. Yeah, he's been in several shows, but it's pretty incredible. You've only been in one thus far and you have really struck a chord with the Stargate fan community.

MW: You know what? It's unbelievable because I was lucky enough to get Joan of Arcadia after Stargate, and I've got to tell you: between that one episode of Stargate, and then I've done 23 episodes of Joan of Arcadia, I've probably gotten just as much recognition from Stargate. It's just been unbelievable. The fans are incredible.

GW: They really are, yes. What was it like stepping into the shoes of an American icon like Jack O'Neill?

Transformed into a boy, O'Neill realizes convincing his team who he is won't be easy.

MW: Well, you know, Stargate fans aren't gonna want to hear this, but unfortunately, I did not know how big of an icon he was. I didn't realize how huge Stargate really was. So that put a lot less pressure on me. You know what I mean? I didn't realize he was like the Michael Jordan of sci-fi. (Laughter) So that really helped out. So, to answer your question, I wouldn't know because at the time I didn't know.

GW: So you just sort of went in there and it was like you unearthed this huge thing.

MW: Yeah, I kind of treated it like another job. I mean, it was a cool part. I loved the part. But I had no clue what would come out of it. And I'm actually really grateful. I didn't realize the fan base was so hardcore.

GW: Yeah, they really are. Most sci-fi fans remember you as Artim in "Star Trek: Insurrection." Did that performance reshape your career in any way?

MW: Oh yeah, it did, because that was my first movie. Before that I did a lot of guest spots and things like that, but that was my first film. Now, put yourself in my shoes. I mean, I was like 11 years old at that time. And a Star Trek film as your first film? Absolutely, it reshaped my career. It opened a lot of doors for me, especially in the sci-fi world.

GW: How did you get the role of Young Jack?

MW: It was just a regular audition process, pretty much. I went in and they shoot Stargate in Vancouver, Canada, so they put me on tape and sent the tape to all the people, and I got it. And like I said before, I hadn't seen any Stargate episodes before getting the job, so I just kind of played the part as I interpreted it, which was kind of this dry, sarcastic, very in-charge and in control of himself kind of guy. I just played it like it was written. It turned out to be very similar to Richard Dean Anderson. Of course, I didn't realize just how far Richard Dean Anderson goes until I actually saw the tapes.

GW: So at the audition process you had not studied up on Richard Dean Anderson yet.

MW: No, and they knew that. So they kind of put a lot of trust in me that I could get down his mannerisms, his attitude and the way he carried himself and all that stuff, just by watching some tapes when I got up there. I guess I did. I don't know. Like you said before, the response has just been unbelievable.

GW: What episodes were you given to study?

MW: I was given, I believe, "Revelations," I think, to kind of give me a history of the Asgard, because the Asgard was a major part of "Fragile Balance," which was the episode that I was in. They wanted me to kind of understand who the Asgard were. And then other than that, there were two episodes. There were three episodes altogether and I don't remember what they were.

But those few episodes, I rewound them a hundred times, and I was up all night studying this guy. Because, I've got to tell you, that was very challenging. Richard Dean Anderson -- he is so original. I don't think there's ever been an actor quite like him before. So it was really challenging, but a lot of fun.

GW: What did you do to get him down?

O'Neill's clone faces the truth: he's nothing but a duplicate.

MW: I don't know. That's kind of been one of the things that I've always been able to do. In fact, my impressions when I was a little kid -- that's kind of what got me into acting. This was a little different than an impression. This was like a portrayal of a character, had to be a little bit more than an impression. That's just kind of something that I've always been able to do, just kind of watch and listen to an accent, and then the next day be able to do the accent. So, I don't know, I just really studied him.

GW: So you were just able to pick up on the fine details and it got you where you needed to go.

MW: Yeah, yeah, pretty much. And then also Peter DeLuise, who was the director of that particular episode -- he really helped me out, because he's been working on the show for years. So he really helped me out to really get specific things down.

GW: So he took you aside and said, "OK, this is what he looks like when he's angry," or like that.

MW: Yeah, in a way. And he broke it down kind of line-to-line, moment-to-moment. And it was like, "OK, Richard would do it this way, so you do it that way, too." It was fun.

GW: Did you find it constricting on your acting that you were trying to mimic Richard but still were trying to bring your performance into it?

MW: You know, it's funny. I actually found it more freeing that way.

GW: Really?

MW: Yeah, and I can't really explain why. I guess because you study the character and you do all those things. But when it comes down to it, it's still my performance, it's still my interpretation. I'm not going to, you know, be a clone -- well, I was a clone of Richard Dean Anderson! I don't know.

It was more freeing, mainly because he's so free anyway. He just is in his performance. So to mimic someone doing a free performance, well, that's pretty freeing within itself. You know what I mean?

GW: OK, yeah, I get you.

MW: Yeah.

GW: Were you wearing contacts to make your eyes darker, like Rick's?

MW: Yeah, my eyes are light blue. And that's not going to work playing Richard Dean Anderson, so they had to put some contacts in me.

GW: What else was done to alter your appearance?

Welch remains a sport and allows the make-up artists to make him truly teenager-y.

MW: Well, my hair was cut, which I was fine about. I like my hair shorter, actually. And they spiked it, I guess. And then, actually -- this had nothing to do with making me look like Richard -- but I had some acne going up there that week. And Peter DeLuise, being the sick genius that he is, was like, "No, let's keep it! It's great, because it emphasizes the fact that he's a teenager." And it did, and he's right. I had no problem with that.

So not only did he keep it, he had make-up emphasize it. If you watch there's big, red marks on my face, which were there anyway. But he just kind of added to them. It was really funny. And that really has nothing to do with making me look more like him, but, you know.

GW: Well, it emphasizes your age verses this 50-year-old man.

MW: Yeah, and it worked. That's kind of one of the things you have to do an an actor is kind of put your own ego aside and do what's right for the role. I've always been willing to do that. I really don't care what I look like as long as it fits with the thing I'm working on.

GW: So even if that makes you look a little strange, it's for the team.

MW: Yeah, exactly. I don't know, a great example of that is Kathy Bates in "About Schmidt." She was able to just kind of put her own ego aside and go full-frontal on camera. It was great. It was good for her. Robert DeNiro has gained and lost weight a million times. I could go on. I'm not comparing myself to any of these people -- quite yet. We'll see in the future! No, I really don't care, as long as ... well, you get the point.

GW: How are things with Joan of Arcadia?

MW: Oh, man. It's the best job ever. I really do think that I'm probably the luckiest 16-year-old in Hollywood. I don't think there's a better 16-year-old part on television. I'm absolutely loving it. The cast is just awesome. They're great.

GW: For folks who have not seen the show, tell us about your role.

MW: Well, I play Luke Girardi, who's Joan's younger brother. And I am a science genius on the show. I kind of represent -- because it is kind of a metaphysical show -- I kind of represent the physics aspect of that because the creator, Barbara Hall, believes that physics and metaphysics are all one. There's no difference; they intertwine. I'm there to represent that part of it. And also it adds to the family dynamic, which is always a good thing. It's a fun part, it really is. I don't feel that I'm playing it like a nerd. I've never liked to play stereotypes. I did my own thing with it and they liked what I did.

GW: So Luke has a voice that's not only this science geek, but he's also got heart and soul.

Welch, with Arcadia father Will (Joe Mantegna), and sister Joan (Amber Tamblyn).

MW: Yeah, he is a three-dimensional character. He's not the comic relief, younger brother science geek who uses big words. I mean, I do use big words on the show and I am a science geek, but I'm saying there's more to it than that. If you've seen the first season, he's gone through quite a roller coaster this year.

GW: So you're on hiatus for Season Two.

MW: Yes, that's right.

GW: And when does that start?

MW: Season Two starts shooting up -- I'm sorry, let me say that again! Season Two starts shooting in July. I think July 15 is when we start. And then it's going to start airing, I believe, in September. But don't quote me on that.

GW: Well, we'll definitely be looking for it.

MW: OK, thank you!

GW: What network is it airing on?

MW: It's on CBS, Friday nights.

GW: OK. Have you been pleased with the ratings from Season One?

MW: Oh, absolutely. I mean, Friday night, Top 30 show, you can't ask for more than that. And the fact that it's on Friday night is a good thing and a bad thing. It's a bad thing because it's the least-watched night on television. But it's a good thing because out of the people watching, we're getting a big majority of those people -- because a lot of times it's the amount of time of people watching television and the amount of people watching your show versus the actual numbers. I don't need to get into that. Yes, I'm very pleased with them.

GW: Well, good. Is it true Stargate's production timing helped you win the role?

MW: You know, maybe. I'm not sure, because the episode aired at the very end of what's called pilot season. Now let me explain this to every non-actor listening right now. Basically, what a pilot is that they shoot -- the first episode of every series is a pilot, and then based on the strength of that pilot, the network decides if they want to turn it into a series. If you've seen "Pulp Fiction," Samuel L. Jackson explains it much more eloquently than I do.

So, basically, what happened is that this was at the tail-end of pilot season, so a lot of, I guess, most really good actors already got pilots, most young actors, so there weren't that many left and I didn't get anything at that point. I was up for a couple pilots, but the role of Stargate -- again, I just can't say this enough, it was such a cool role, I loved it so much that I just had to take it and risk it. And it turned out to be a good thing because, first of all, with Stargate, it's been one of the coolest experiences ever. And then right after that I was lucky enough to get Joan of Arcadia. So it worked out really well.

Welch as Luke Girardi on Joan of Arcadia.

GW: Do you think that if you hadn't taken the Stargate role you would've missed Joan of Arcadia?

MW: You know, it's possible. I don't know. Maybe I would've gotten another pilot and then I wouldn't have gotten Stargate or Joan of Arcadia, which have been the two greatest roles ever for me. So it's really amazing how things work out, and I just kind of go with the moment and if I get a job, take it, and not mess around with any of that stuff. And then whatever happens, happens. This worked out better than I could've ever planned.

GW: Tell us about your experiences on set in Vancouver.

MW: It was really cool, because they've all been working together for like seven years now. It's been a while. So it was such a comfortable set to work on. It felt like I was visiting really cool cousins. You know what I mean? They were all so great. A particular experience: I loved the moment -- if you've seen the episode -- I loved the moment when I'm floating in the space ship. They put the harness on me and they put a bunch of strings attached to me, and I love that kind of stuff. I'm still a 16-year-old kid. It was cool. I was floating in a space ship. It was great. Just all that kind of stuff. It was a lot of fun.

GW: One of the things I couldn't understand was that if you were supposed to be immobile from the Asgard beam, or whatever it is, how were you able to move you arm to fire the zat gun?

MW: Oh, boy! Well, because I don't think I was immobile. I think that I was, like, in a little forcefield. So being in the forcefield -- it's like you're in a cage. You can't get out of the cage, but you can move within the cage. So that's how I looked at it. I mean, you can take that up with one of the producers to give you a more Stargate-esque answer, but that's how I see it.

GW: Cool. How was it working with Michael [Shanks], Amanda [Tapping], and Christopher [Judge]?

MW: Oh, they were awesome. I mean, Christopher, he was a trouble maker. He gave me a hard time. It was all out of fun, I mean I had a great time with him. As an example, at the end of one day, he yelled, "That's a wrap on Cory Feldman!" referring to me. Just stuff like that. Like I said, it was such a fun set to work on. And Amanda -- she's such a sweet person, and she has such an amazing work ethic. Michael's a great guy. They were all really great -- not just those three, but every single one of them was just really amazing. Without one exception, literally. And, yeah, I cannot say enough about the experience. It was just so much fun.

GW: They're a very fine-tuned machine after seven years.

MW: Oh yeah, they had it down. I mean, I even said at one point -- and this was like the first day that we were shooting. They did all the coverage on everybody else and they were going to do all the -- oh, no, I'm sorry, wait a minute. Let me say that again. They did the coverage on me, then they were about to do the coverage on Michael and Christopher, and then I said to them, "Alright, guys, make sure you don't steal the scenes from me." And they were like, "After seven years we're giving scenes away!" So, yeah, they've got it down.

GW: What did you think of the sets?

MW: Oh, it was great! Sci-fi sets are the coolest because there's all that -- it's basically a bunch of cool toys to play with. You can't really play with them because they're props. But it was amazing. Just the ships and the alien stuff. I don't know. It was cool! It was basically like when I was eight and I used my imagination about all that kind of stuff ... or actually now, and I still do that.

GW: Except it's actually there now.

MW: Yeah, it was actually there, but on a sound stage. It's trippy, man. It's really weird, but it was fun. It was cool.

GW: How do you feel about the possibility of Young Jack returning?

MW: Well, it definitely is a possibility. I mean, of course there's Joan of Arcadia now and that kind of conflicts with it. But I don't know. I mean how they work at Stargate is that they just kind of leave it up in the air and then bring people back if it's convenient to the storyline, or whenever. But it's definitely a possibility. There's no guarantees but that's mainly because of the Joan of Arcadia schedule. I don't know if they'll be able to work that out. But if they are I'd love to come back.

GW: What would you like to see happen to the character if you did come back?

While on the run, the cloned Jack O'Neill hides in his water hole.

MW: A lot of space stuff. I don't care what. I'd maybe like to fly a ship and blow stuff up, possibly. You know, I mean, because this would be the perfect opportunity to do that stuff. I'm not complaining about "Fragile Balance" -- it was one of the best experiences ever. But a lot of it was just like fishing scenes, going to a liquor store. This is a sci-fi show. I want to be in space! I want to be fighting aliens. I want to be doing stuff like that. And again, I'm not picky. I'll do whatever they tell me to do. If they want to put acne on me I'm going to go ahead and let 'em! That's kind of what I'd like to do. Some kind of fight. I don't know. I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore.

GW: Michael Greenburg proposed a story where you came back with Colonel Maybourne who is basically Jack's nemesis but partner in crime. He didn't explain the story too much except that the title was "You Ain't Jack," and didn't go into it much. But we all thought it was a pretty cool story and wished it would be executed.

MW: Yeah, that'd be cool. I think, based on the end of "Fragile Balance," which was basically my character saying, "Well, from here on out we're not the same person anymore" -- so, yeah, that would definitely make sense. But, yeah, that'd be fun. I'll come back and mop the floor if they want me to. I just love doing it. Yeah, I'm really happy with anything. But that sounds really cool.

GW: Have you thought of attending any Stargate conventions?

MW: Yeah, actually I am attending, not necessarily Stargate, but a sci-fi convention, which is going to be mostly because of Stargate, in July -- I think 9th, 10th, and 11th in Maryland, called Shore Leave. I'm going to go and do that, and yeah! I mean, why not? It's right by Washington D.C. and I've never been there before. So basically I'm ultimately getting paid to go to Washington. You can't pass that up. And I always thought it'd be fun to go to a sci-fi convention, watch a bunch of Klingons walking around, all of that kind of stuff.

So, yeah! And beyond that, no immediate plans right now. But yeah, I'd love to do more down the road.

GW: So is this your first sci-fi convention?

MW: Yeah, this'll be my first one.

GW: Well, you'll also be appearing with Teryl Rothery, who is Dr. Fraiser on Stargate.

MW: Oh, that's right. Yeah.

GW: So be sure to tell her "Hello" for all of us.

MW: Oh, yeah, I definitely will. Hey! They'll probably sit us next to each other to plan it out that way.

GW: She's a character. You will have a great time with her on stage.

MW: Oh, good, because I didn't really get to spend too much time with her, because we were only in one scene together. But yeah, that'll be a lot of fun.

GW: What's your advice to aspiring young actors?

MW: Oh, good question. That would be to not pay attention to the statistics of it.

Michael plays drums with his buddies in the studio.

GW: Really?

MW: Because people are constantly telling me the statistics of me making it, and giving me stories of young actors that didn't turn out well. Just don't listen to it! Because I'm going to tell you something: If you are talented and persistent and you work hard -- that's the most important thing, that you work hard -- and you're patient, and you enjoy the process, it's impossible not to be successful. It might take 10 years, as it has in the case of some of the greatest, most famous actors today. But just keep truckin'.

And enjoy the process, that's the most important thing. Because if you don't enjoy the process you're not going to enjoy the destination. And there is no destination anyway, so ... just one continuous process.

I'm going to be honest with you. I'm having just as much fun now as I did when I was 10 and barely doing anything. And I'm going to go even farther than that and say I'm having just as much fun now as I did when I was nine and I first started taking acting classes. Just have fun. It's fun; that's why I'm doing it. It's hard. It takes a lot of sacrifice, but it's a good time. I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't a good time.

GW: You've been working with Kids For a Cause, I understand.

MW: Yes.

GW: Tell us about that.

MW: That's basically an organization in which young actors -- Hillary Duff is involved in the organization -- I think we have like a hundred by now. And basically what it is is that we go to foster homes and hospitals and basically just give kids that have been less fortunate up to this point a good day, give them presents or give them food or whatever they want -- play with them for the day. Because I'm so blessed it's just sick. It's just unbelievable.

I've gotta give something back. I don't even feel like I'm doing enough. I definitely want to do more down the road. It's a really great organization. If any young actors listen to this, I would highly recommend checking it out because it's really cool.

GW: What are your plans for the future, other than conventions and Kids With A Cause and Joan of Arcadia?

MW: Right, right. Well, my plan is Joan of Arcadia will go forever. But when that ends, you know, I don't know -- just as long as I keep working. I love to work. I love doing stuff. So maybe -- I'd love to do some plays, I'd love to break into movies if that's possible, maybe another series down the road. I don't know! No one really knows where their career is headed. No one is really in control of their career until you get to a certain point -- and that's like Tom Hanks level. Maybe I can be one of those cool independent actors that do 10 independents a year. That'd be cool. I don't care. It really doesn't matter.

And maybe some more conventions down the road. Definitely I'm going to finish school and do all that. Just kind of play it by ear, take it day by day. Right now I'm enjoying Joan of Arcadia and still enjoying the ride from Stargate, because that's still going on, you know, with stuff like this -- these kinds of interviews.

The O'Neill clone says adios to his original self, setting off on his own path.

GW: Is it true you've written a one-man show?

MW: (Laughter) Oh, man. I'm going to clear this up now. That was from a bio that my mom wrote a couple of years ago. I was writing a one-man show and maybe I'll continue it down the road, I don't know. But it's kind of on hold right now, the one-man-show project. But I was writing that, there is truth to that. But that's probably not going to happen at this point, because that was kind of written for a 15-year old to do, and if I started working on it again, by the time I'm done I'm not going to be 15 any more. And I'm not now. I'm 16. Yeah, I was writing a one-man show, but I got too busy with Joan of Arcadia and school, so I just stopped that.

GW: So it's on the back-burner.

MW: But yeah, it was OK, though. I don't regret doing that and spending all of my time doing that, because it was good for me for my writing, because I'm definitely interested in writing down the road, and directing, and all that stuff, too.

GW: Let's hope those doors open up for you.

MW: Yeah, definitely! Thanks!

GW: Well, Michael thanks for taking some time to answer the questions, and truly, best wishes for continued success on Joan of Arcadia!

MW: Oh, thank you man. I appreciate that. And, yeah, I just hope I was interesting for the past half an hour and didn't waste anyone's time!