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Brian Austin Green has some choice words for Terminator haters
Brian Austin Green has taken his role as badass from the future Derek Reese to heart. He gave an R-rated sound-off to haters of his show, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, at Fox's party for the Television Critics Association winter press tour last week.
Upon his arrival at My House in Hollywood, SCI FI Wire cornered Green about the back nine episodes of the show's second season. He didn't even want to tease episode details. "I'm not a tease," he said in an interview. "I'm just not. I'm either all or nothing. That's how I've always been in life."
Still, once he got talking, he unleashed the F bombs, as anyone who's fought Terminators in the post-apocalyptic future would be prone to do. The following Q&A features edited excerpts of the interview. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles returns with new episodes on Feb. 13 in a new Friday 8 p.m. timeslot.
What did getting the back nine do for the show?
Green: Well, it gave us the opportunity to finish up what we started, which I always like. I hate when at the end of the 12 episodes, something just abruptly ends that you've been watching. So it at least gives us the chance to wrap up to the end of this, which is a great wrap-up. It's a really cool end for season two, and it's a great beginning for season three, if it happens.
So it ends in a cliffhanger, even though there's no guarantee of a third season to resolve it?
Green: Oh, it's so badass. It's so badass. They'll go crazy if it doesn't get picked up, and when we do, because I know we will, people are going to be so f--king psyched for the next season to start. [Series creator] Josh [Friedman] is f--king smart, man. He's got a whole bible ready to go, so his biggest task is just making sure that he has a good start-to-finish with every season, kind of playing the game that way.
Is there a lot more action in the upcoming nine?
Green: There's a lot, yeah. It's cool, though. It's not action just like run-and-gun stuff. The stories are really intense, so there's a lot of work with Derek. A lot of cool locations, a lot of really cool effects, it's a really f--kin' cool back nine.
From the teaser, it looks like we see Kyle again. That must involve Derek, right?
Green: We'll see. Are you still watching every episode?
SCI FI Wire published a love letter to the show, and Derek was a big part of it. Guess you didn't see it?
Green: No. You know what, though? I like it. I would never change what I'm doing based on what somebody says, but for me, it's always nice to know whether a choice I made worked or didn't. I don't care if it didn't. I don't care if somebody says, "I didn't like the last episode, didn't like the way you played that," whatever. Because the fans know a lot about the character also. I've dragged you guys through everything, so I appreciate it. I like good and bad.
Some fans are hating on the recent episodes for a lack of action.
Green: It can't be [all action]. It can't be. I think if it was up to the fans, truly, John Connor would already be John Connor in the future. The show would be, like, four episodes, and they would run out of s--t. You have to build, and you have to have moments where everything has to sit, and you have to think it through. It can't just be f--kin' go-go-go-go-go, because there's just no way we could last. What's funny is that, still to this day, one of the favorite scenes for people I talk to is the scene in the park, John and Derek sitting and watching the two [kids, young Kyle and Derek,] play baseball. That's, like, the least action scene of anything. It's sitting on a f--kin' bench talking, but then they complain there's not enough action, so you can't please everybody. I trust Josh. I hope that at the end of the day the fans will trust Josh, because he's done a really good job so far.
By Muldfeld at 3:49 AM ON 01/21/09
I have to say this actor won me over. I was really upset at his casting, but he does a good job. I enjoy Sarah and John, but I find the black ex-cop guy a bit self-conscious in terms of being the man of faith who is supposedly so moralistic. Also the T-1000 is very inconsistent; she's able to fool everyone that she's human and then, when appropriate, can't relate to her "daughter". I was pissed when they killed the psychologist; he had such a nice and refreshing energy to him; what a waste of a great actor.
I especially like Cameron; she's hilarious, particularly how she repeats what people say to unintentional comedic effect.
My favorite episodes were the one with the scientist from the future; the one in which they destroy Cromartie (also acted very well and interestingly) and the one in which Cameron hangs out with the librarian. Some really great stuff.
Beats the hell out of nearly everything else on TV, save BSG. Much better than that J.J. Abrams nonsense, Fringe.
By Amicron at 4:15 AM ON 01/21/09
I really loved the concept for this show when it started, but the episodes have been soooooo long and drawn out and... sad to say, BORING, that I have really lost interest. I am a HUGE Terminator fan, and I find myself falling asleep during most of the episodes. I don't expect every episode to be "go go go" but come on... even the few action scenes they do have are yawners.
By Quinn at 4:42 AM ON 01/21/09
The show isn't lacking in action, it's lacking in Dillahunt. The development of Skynet and the John Henry storyline are just so slow and so not about JH that it's grown beyond annoying.
Thanks for the interview, always good to see what BAG has to say. He's done some really impressive work this season.
By albrgao at 4:54 AM ON 01/21/09
The cast is great, but the writers or directors seem to have no ideas of were to take the show or simply don't know. I wish the show last long enough to find it's redom.
By jpl1976 at 7:55 AM ON 01/21/09
I am in agreement with Mr. Green, people will not allow a show to develop anymore. Its always whens the next explosion? Whens the next this or that, come on.....every episode cannot be shoot em up and the one thing that people forget is that the show does not have the budget per epsiode that the movies had. Personally I like the show, have I liked each and every episode? No I havent and thats being honest and I wold imagine pretty much anyone that watches any show feels the same way.
By Al at 1:31 PM ON 01/21/09
I've seen the show go from a fantastic pilot to an indepth look at how the terminators manage to infiltrate us and the psychological struggles of John Connor.
I don't care much for action only or meaningless sex scenes and relationship games. It's the story that matters and so far, I see a great continuing story worthy of our support. If they end up making Sarah sleep with Kyle's brother or turn Cameron into a "yesbot", following what she is told and giving no further depth to her character, then, yes. Kill it quick.
But so far I fully intend to watch 'til the end, be it ten more episodes or three more seasons.
By ThinkHero at 2:28 PM ON 01/21/09
I was suprised like everyone else that Brian Austin Green was cast on the show. Everyone thought the show had jumped the shark at that point. But then suprisingly, the show was even better with him playing Derek Reese. Now everyone raves about what a good job he's doing, and he's now one of the best parts of the show. They better keep this show on the air.
By Cyberdyne at 4:16 PM ON 01/21/09
The show has been great in terms of story, action, effects, character development, acting and casting choices. It has worked around budgetary limits very cleverly. The show has it all and yet some fans are not satisfied; that however is common. At the end of the day, the shows who have the highest ratings are not action shows, but story driven shows.
Brian Austin Green is a perfect fit for his character. Forget 90210, forget the cheese made-for- tv-movies; he is a great actor, and the only person that comes in mind to play Derek Reese.
By cyberdyne at 4:18 PM ON 01/21/09
he show has been great in terms of story, action, effects, character development, acting and casting choices. It has worked around budgetary limits very cleverly. The show has it all and yet some fans are not satisfied; that however is common. At the end of the day, the shows who have the highest ratings are not action shows, but story driven shows.
Brian Austin Green is a perfect fit for his character. Forget 90210, forget the cheese made-for- tv-movies; he is a great actor, and the only person that comes in mind to play Derek Reese.
By Anthony at 5:27 PM ON 01/21/09
I love the show , and BAG is excellent in it. I never watched 90210 or whatever that show he was famous for but the dude can act. Unfortunately with the way tv viewing is , there is no way this gets picked up for a 3rd season. On Friday nights it will be lucky to pull a 4 or 5 rating. It will be dvr'd like mad but the networks don't want to hear that.
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Anthony:
I love the show , and BAG is excellent in it. I never watched 90210 or whatever that show he was famous for but the...More »