Posts tagged South Africa
South Africa’s “Tonight” article on Brothers & Sisters
Oct 12th
Just have to note that South Africa is airing the third season, so they are a full season behind USA.
Here’s a great article that also mentions an interview with Luke.
Source: Tonight.Co.Za
Out of the closet and on to primetime October 12, 2009
By Terence Pillay
Is it me or has everyone on Brothers And Sisters suddenly turned gay? Last week’s episode of the popular M-Net drama series saw an entire episode focus on every gay character in the series and the storylines that pivoted around them were heightened ten-fold.
Fans of the show already know that there’s a focus on gay relationships to the same extent that there’s a focus on straight relationships, and this is one of the first series to depict gay interaction in a way that it actually reflects real life.
When the Brothers and Sisters first emerged three seasons ago, we were introduced to Kevin Walker (played with such ease by straight Irish actor Matthew Rhys), a lawyer and part of the hugely dysfunctional Walker clan. Kevin was also an openly gay character and, for the first time, it wasn’t a gay character dying of Aids or an uber-camp hairdresser flapping his wrists like he was guiding a Boeing into a parking bay.
With the exception of his sexual orientation, Kevin was exactly the same as the rest of his brothers and sisters – flawed, issued, sometimes irritating, always endearing. And as the character developed, Kevin soon met his life-partner, Scotty Wandell, played by Luke MacFarlane, and they eventually got married at the beginning of the third season, which we’re currently watching on M-Net.
I interviewed MacFarlane in Cape Town earlier this year and because he’s actually gay in real life, a lot of our talk turned to this very subject.
The fact is, America has a huge section of its viewership in what is referred to as the Bible Belt, and ratings from this sector often make or break a show.
Apparently, Dirty Sexy Money folded because these viewers believed it to be too focused on materialism and greed, Eli Stone was not re-commissioned because some Earthly being was playing God and Pushing Daisies wilted for much the same reason. The list goes on.
MacFarlane says this was a concern for the producers when they first mulled over the creation of these characters. But because there’s such a large, on-going conversation about same-sex equality in the US, this attempt to show a gay couple in this way meant a lot to American society in terms of finding real role models.
So the characters, MacFarlane says, have been received very well, just because there is this desire for people to have role models specifically in the gay community.
Another interesting fact is that Kevin and Scotty’s wedding was the first gay marriage in a recurring role on US television, so it was a very big deal. It was also the first man-to-man kiss on primetime television, that wasn’t a comedy, so they were breaking ground on so many other levels too.
MacFarlane, who has, in the past, been dogged with rumours that he’s dating Prison Break’s Wentworth Miller, says he brings a lot of himself into this role of Scotty Wandell. He says he admires Scotty’s sense of right and wrong, and his very strong sense of self.
But the thing he’s most pleased about is the fact that they actually get to show a gay relationship through a long process. He admits that very rarely do viewers get to see this kind of relationship in a show – them meeting for the first time, breaking up for the first time, getting back together for the first time and then getting married.
And MacFarlane feels that’s a very accurate portrait of any relationship out there, never mind a gay one, and that’s the due integrity that should always be given to these characters.
But are they milking the concept a little now?
Saul (played by Ron Rifkin), the brother of Sally Field’s character, Nora, has also come out of the closet. Saul is probably in his early 60s and is, for the first time, searching for the kind of relationship he was never allowed to have because of societal dictates earlier on in his life.
While the twist was unexpected, I think this storyline is becoming more about making a point than being dramatic.
I can’t wait to see who else they pull out of this closet next. A lesbian? A black woman? A back woman who’s a lesbian?
I suppose I can live in hope.
Screencaps and Pics (South Africa edition)
Jul 11th
Took several screencaps of the video from All Access. Also included one “behind the scenes” picture of Luke in the restaurant, Ginja. Also added another picture from an Afrikaans newspaper,Die Burger, with Luke and Dave.
All pictures can be found in the gallery.
Screencaps
All Access Behind the Scenes
Die Burger
Luke mentioned in a blog on Cosmopolitan (South Africa)
Jul 6th
The following is from a blog written by Cathy Lund, who works for Cosmopolitan (South Africa branch). It is about her time with Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable last month in June.
Source: Cosmopolitan.Co.Za
Beam Me Up, Scotty Author: Cathy Lund
Luke Macfarlane and Cathy Lund at Jade in Green Point, South Africa
What do Luke Macfarlane (Scotty from Brothers & Sisters), the ‘running man’ and a bottle of tequila have in common? Absolutely nothing, really. But if you imagine all three of them together, you’ll have a fairly good idea of how my evening turned out last night.
Luke and his equally adorable co-star Dave Annable (Justin) were in Cape Town this week promoting the show, and COSMO couldn’t miss the opportunity of showing them the city – our way.
We started at Wakame, a popular beach-front restaurant in Mouille Point. The boys had been out the night before and had had a day packed with media interviews, but their stamina showed no signs of fading. They were full of energy as they arrived.
Both guys are the friendliest, warmest, most sincere celebs I’ve had the privilege of meeting. And cute. The ‘it’s-hard-to-breathe-around-them’ kind of cute. We instantly tumbled into conversations about their trip to Cape Town, my recent trip to the US, their new president, our new president, and more. They’re both enthusiastic travellers. Grass-roots travellers at that. They told us they would choose a tent over a plush hotel any day. They asked me which animals are in the Big Five. I couldn’t remember (I am such a city girl!). I rambled off a few animal names, trying to sound knowledgeable about all things bush-related. They didn’t look convinced.
Our meal was fantastic and the champagne was even better. Not ready to call it a night, we suggested they join us at Jade, a drinking spot in Green Point.
Jade was heaving when we arrived. In true Cape Town form, few people made a fuss about the boys (we are too cool for that down here!). But there were a couple of mandatory squeals from enamoured fans catching sight of their favourite TV hotties for the first time. And the guys were gracious and obliging, chatting to the fans who encircled them.
Beers were ordered. Tequila was ordered. Pictures were taken. More beers were ordered. Assurances were made that we would get them to the airport in time to catch a flight to Jo’burg in the morning. Champagne was ordered. More tequila was ordered. I started to regret the assurance I gave them that we would get them to the airport in time to catch a flight to Jo’burg in the morning…
Luke and I informally challenged each other to a dance-off. He came with a shimmer shoulder. I came with the ‘running man’. In heels. No contest – I won. Hours of dancing and singing and high-fiving and partying followed. And then their eagle-eyed publicist suggested it was time to go home. (I’m sort of grateful that at least one of us had the good sense to call it a night…)
The boys did make it to the airport on time. I, however, was a little late for work.
M-Net’s All Access Clip of Luke & Dave in South Africa
Jun 27th
Thanks to Karen, we have the clip shown on M-Net, on their new entertainment show, All Access. This clip features Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable from their posh living at the “One and Only” hotel to dining at the classy restaurant, Ginja. This is definitely a great clip for everyone to watch.
The video is available in the Video Player which can be access via the above “Media” navigation link. The video will later be moved to Media Centre in about a month or so.
So, please enjoy. A better version may come along, but for now, please make do with this version.
(Note: File is 79.8 MB big, so it will take some time to load (ranging from 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on your speed of your bandwidth)).
More pics of Luke in South Africa
Jun 11th
Another South African press interview with Luke
Jun 11th
Thanks to Sueli for finding this press this morning. “Tonight” is an entertainment guide to news and media source in South Africa. The interview covers both Luke Macfarlane and Dave Annable.
Thanks to Karen for the photo scan.
Source: Tonight
Growing the love at home June 11, 2009
By Zane Henry
I’d seen the Brothers and Sisters box-set at the DVD store every time I reached past it to grab the latest season of House or Lost.
I’m not sure why I never took it, but there always seemed something better to cuddle up on the couch with.
So when my colleague asked me to interview two of the cast of Brothers and Sisters before the launch of the third season in August, I had to bone up quickly.
One night and two seasons later, I was completely enmeshed in the tangled lives of the Walker clan.
Sure, the show is a glorified soap opera but which family isn’t? The writing is sharp, the acting is great (Sally Field, Rob Lowe, Rachel Griffiths: hello?) and the vibe is warm.
I arrived at 12pm at the One & Only Hotel V&A Waterfront, burnt out and bleary after the all-night Brothers and Sisters binge the night before.
When I was ushered into the presidential suite for the interview, I nearly hugged Dave Annable (Justin Walker) and Luke MacFarlane (Scotty) like long-lost brothers. I didn’t. But I wanted to.
They themselves were a little bleary after a night out around Cape Town and close encounters of the Stellenbosch pinotage kind.
Still, they’re scarily good-looking and I’m careful, for the sake of my ego, to not stand too close to them.
Hey guys. Welcome to Cape Town (Did I just say that?)
DA and LM: Thanks man.
Just so I know, which questions are you guys most tired of being asked?
DA: First of all, I love that question! Listen, ask whatever you’ve got. You’ve got a job to do and we’ll try to keep it fresh and interesting.
A question I do get asked a lot is what is it like to work with Sally Field.
She’s amazing, obviously.
She’s an unjaded professional while being a total mom to us on the set.
Seriously, I get emails from her checking if I’m drinking enough orange juice.
LM: I often get asked what it’s like working with such a great cast. And the answer is that it’s, well, great.
How did you guys end up here on the tip of Africa this morning?
DA: I got an email asking if I’d like to go to South Africa to promote the show and before I’d finished reading, I was like, definitely.
With our job come these amazing perks where we get to travel all around the world and talk about what we love doing.
LM: It’s the first time M-Net has had anyone from the show down here so we need to set a good precedent so that everyone else will get to come.
We’ve had some time to sight see and we’re completely in love with this place.
What can viewers expect from your characters in the third season?
LM: Well, we have a married couple on the show now, Scotty and Kevin, and the third season sees them having to deal with marital issues.
Scotty starts earning more money than Kevin and this puts some strain on the relationship, leading to some important lessons.
DA: We left Justin at the end of the second season just after that smooch with Rebecca.
The third season has him figuring out what his relationship with her is.
It’s a complicated situation.
How much of your characters do you take home with you?
LM: A lot. I have tremendous respect for Scotty. He’s a little more patient than I am and I often wonder how he puts up with Kevin.
DA: Justin and I definitely have laziness in common.
I don’t know if I brought it to him or he brought it to me but we both are kinda sloth-like.
My wife wants a small family. I want a big one. Who’s right?
LM: I’m an advocate for big families.
Tell her that when she’s old she’ll have lots of people to take care of her and dinner conversation will be so much more interesting when there’s more people around the table.
DA: I say this before changing a million diapers but I want a big family.
I want lots of kids running around and coach the little league team.
Just keep adding to the love.
• The third season of Brothers and Sisters airs on August 13 on M-Net.
BROTHERS & SISTERS
