INTERVIEWS

KERR SMITH

TV Guide Chat Transcript [March 22, 2000]

TV Guide Online: Tonight we are chatting with Kerr Smith from Final Destination and Dawson's Creek. Welcome Kerr! Thanks for coming!
Kerr Smith: Hey guys thanks for stopping in and hangin' out.
Question: Kerr, between your character on Dawson's Creek and the one in Final Destination, which one are you most like?
Smith: To be honest, neither. I think I'm somewhere in between.
Question: What is your favorite part in the film?
Smith: Two scenes. The bus scene and the scene where I'm stuck in the car on the railroad tracks.
Question: Hey Kerr!! I saw Final Destination, it rocked! You talked about cutting a record when you chatted with Seventeen.com. Can you give us any more details about that? Like why type of music it will be?
Smith: It will probably be a mix of Dave Matthews and Ben Folds Five. Largely piano based. Since that's what I play. Hopefully I'll get it out in about a year if all goes well.
Question: Hi Kerr, I'm a big fan of your work on Dawson's Creek. I checked out your new movie already - any jitters before flying after filming Final Destination?
Smith: Yeah a little bit of turbulence makes me nervous now. I don't recommend that movie for anyone who flies a lot.
Question: Kerr- Do you have a favorite episode? which is it and why?
Smith: It would be episode 14 and 15 of last season when Jack comes out to Joey and to his father
Question: Kerr, what do you like to do for fun on your days off in Wilmington? Anyone in particular that you like to hang with out of all the cast members?
Smith: If you want to know...actually Josh is coming over in about 1 hour to play some poker. Hopefully, I'll take all his money.
Question: I read that there was originally a different ending to Final Destination - could you give us any clues as to how it was different?
Smith: The original ending which by the way you will see on the DVD, the last scene of the original ending was myself crying at the memorial over Terri and Clear and her baby which is Alex's baby and her dog come up in the background, It's a nice slow wrap up to the film. Alex actually gets killed, but I think the new ending is much more exciting, cause now it's a nonstop roller coaster ride.
Question: How many hours a day do you work and how do you find time for your personal life?
Smith: 12 and I don't.
Question: What are your plans during the summer? Possibly a new movie?
Smith: I'm working on it right now. But if all goes well in the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be doing two films back to back. Called Black Cadillac and The Forsaken.
Question: Kerr, what are some of your interests?
Smith: Winning money from Josh in poker and we do a lot of jet skiing actually. About half of the cast has jet skis so we're going to go out this weekend if it's nice.
Question: What would be your ideal role?
Smith: My ideal role would be Leo DiCaprio's role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Question: Kerr- What's the best and worst part of being an actor?
Smith: The best part is being able to create somebody that doesn't exist or just creating anybody for that matter. The worst part, sitting in the make up chair.
Question: When does the cast start filming season 4 of Dawson's Creek?
Smith: Late July, early August. 
Question: Who inspired you?
Smith: No one specific inspired me. I just like to create things. Whether it's a character, or a song, or a drawing. 
Question: Kerr- What's your favorite movie? Fave book?
Smith: Favorite Movie, Braveheart. Favorite Book, that's a tough one. The Vampire Lestat.
Question: Which do you prefer, TV or film?
Smith: Film. It's much more intense. And I like working with different people every couple of months. You kind of get tired playing the same character after a while on TV.
Question: What was your favorite death in Final Destination?
Smith: Terry's death with the bus cause it comes out of nowhere.
Question: Hi Kerr, I wanted to know why was a John Denver song used in the movie so much? What did it have to do with the plot?
Smith: Glen Morgan the producer of the film was in the airport right before we started shooting the movie. "Rocky Mountain High" song came over the loudspeaker and Glen said, Isn't that weird, John Denver just died in a plane crash. He worked it into the film and it actually became a major theme.
Question: Do you have any bloopers to share?
Smith: We have so many I can't even remember. I remember this one scene last season on Dawson's Creek. It was the last scene before everybody went on Christmas vacation. Josh and I got a case of the giggles. It was a scene that should have taken a minute. It took about half an hour. Every time the cameras rolled we couldn't stop laughing.
Question: Hi, Kerr! I'm a huge fan and I've always wondered how celebrities react to the fans. Are you flattered? Do you find it weird? Do you think you're a teen idol?
Smith: I guess I find it kind of weird. You don't really realize how many people actually watch your show or your movie until fans start coming up to you. It's definitely a strange feeling. A nice one, but strange.
Question: How long do you foresee your role on Dawson's Creek?
Smith: For as long as they'll have me. We're going to try and keep the show going. Of course, that's up to you guys.
Question: I would like to know if u felt uncomfortable since u got to find out that u was playing the role of a gay character?
Smith: The only reason I went ahead with it was because of Kevin Williamson and Greg Berlanti. Because I knew they would write an incredible story, which they did. It's also the kind of character I've never played before. It was an opportunity to be a part of a story that has really never taken place to this extent on television.
Question: Do you think you'll ever get tired of acting and go back into business with you dad?
Smith: No. I will never do anything else. As long as you guys keep coming to see my movies. I want to act for a long time.
TV Guide Online: Thanks Kerr! Come back and talk to us soon!!!
Smith: Thanks everybody for stopping in and chatting. Hope you had a good time. If you haven't seen Final Destination, please do. And I'm gonna go break out the cards now and take some money off of Josh.