Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview

Subject: Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:03 pm

Interested in reading this.....a bit of an insider's insight

Here's the link to the interview/article...

http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/08/jean-smart-role-call/

Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview Frasier

Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview Frasier

Frasier
2000-01
Smart won two Emmys for her seven-episode run playing Lana Gardner, a former classmate and old crush of Frasier‘s (Kelsey Grammer) who could turn the normally suave doctor into a stammering adolescent. “The way he reacted to me made it very hard to keep a straight face.” She recalls being struck by the fact that even seven seasons in, the cast still enjoyed one another. “They didn’t disappear into their offices when they were done shooting. They’d watch each other’s scenes and laugh.” She remembers Grammer and David Hyde Pierce playing the piano during breaks and table reads no one could get through due to laughing. Frasier’s wit and smarts is something Smart says other series should pay attention to. “They never talked down to the audience. That show was so intelligent and so screamingly funny. They made jokes about obscure vintages of wine, for God’s sake!”

Subject: Re: Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:29 pm

It must be difficult coming into a show when the cast is already so established. Good to see she enjoyed it!

Subject: Re: Jean Smart (aka Lana Gardner) interview Mon Feb 20, 2017 5:55 am

I had been an Actor in Australia for around 20 years - you are so right. Turning up and being ready to work while, all the while, you're surrounded by a cast and crew who are very familiar and friendly with one another is a huge test of one's self belief. It can be quite distracting and, for many, an impediment to being anywhere near as good as you can be. It's a massive skill to master.

My honest belief is that there are many great actors but far fewer that are able to handle the pressures involved in being 'on set'.....when they're ready you had better be :-)

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