INTERVIEW
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THE UNBEATABLE KAWALSKY
An interview with Jay Acovone
by Rizwaana + The Doc
Interviewing Jay Acovone - a breath taking experience!
There is lot of talking about the familiar and "close knitted" atmosphere on the set of SG-1. Was this your impression, too? How did you experience the work?
I experienced it with open arms; I haven't done that much science fiction. Storywise, it was hard to grasp. If you commit 100% it makes it enjoyable. The writing will carry and it does, it's very good, Brad and Jonathan are very talented. It took two days to grasp what the whole show was about, then it was � very easy. Mario is great and Dennis Berry's a very good French director - an exceptional talent.

Is there an eeny tiny little chance we get to see Kawalsky again? There are quite a few fans out there who'd welcomed Kawalsky replacing Daniel Jackson on the team.
It's up to the producers. I would love to do it! They were all very friendly and great fun, and if there's ever a movie or a spin-of, I'd love to be a part of it. By the way, I bumped into Michael Shanks recently, he's doing well. 

If you could write and direct your "return" to Stargate (no limits budgetwise!) - what would it look like?
Oh boy! Wooooooo!  Don't know if I'd do the alternative world or the twin thing� ...

What do you think would be more plausible out of the two alternatives?

...  the alternative� twin thing would be on Dynasty� ...

... unless Kawalsky would like to do a guest appearance on Dynasty ...  ;)
No thank you! ::laughs::

You were also casted for "Independence Day". Dean Devlin, one of the fathers of the original Stargate (the movie), is a friend of yours. Neither he nor Roland Emmerich are happy about Stargate, the TV show, and up to a point, I can understand them. Their last statement I know of dates back to the first days of the show. Do you know how he feels about it today?

Honestly don't know�. Never really discussed it with them. If they are unhappy, I'm� not sure why.

At least you enjoyed working on the show�  and on ID as well?

Absolutely!
STARGATE
You can't avoid Jay Acovone - no matter what you're watching on telly, sooner or later, this familiar face will turn up. (And his screen character eventually die. But that's another story!)

But then, why should anybody *want* to avoid the man? We wouldn't, that's for sure!

Ah, Charles Kawalsky - it's amazing how popular Jay Acovone's character still is. There are not many episodes to his credit - he was in "Children of the Gods", "The Enemy Within", "The Gamekeeper" and his alternative universe self made an appearance in "Point of View".

The reason for his popuIarity is for one definitely Jay's talent to charm people out of their shoes at public appearances (and I still think he should perform as a NY cabby one day!), and as far as Kawalsky is concerned - well, there was definitely something "Jack"-like about that character.

Plenty enough reasons to wake the need to do an interview in the Pink Khaki team! So Rizwaana Husaini talked to the actor about Stargate, bikes and uncle Leo.

Very special thanks to Jay Acovone and Fonda St. John.
Kawalsky was a very popular character, right from the beginning. How comes he was written out of the show so fast?
My understanding is this: originally they wanted John Diehl (who played Kawalsky in the movie.) He was written in for a couple of episodes, but then later decided he didn't want to do another series. I was brought in and wanted to do more, but it would take time as it would all have to be reapproved.

Have you heard anything about a return of Kawalsky?
Nothing mentioned recently, no.

How do you remember your first days on the show; during the shooting of "Children of the Gods"? (and were you also one of those who tried to escape the constant rain at the bar of the Sutton Place Hotel? Talking about bars - what's your favourite drink? ;) ) 

It rained A LOT!. We were filming on Government land.. All that outdoor stuff, and  IT RAINED! I had a lotta fun. Rick, Michael et al were fun, and I enjoyed the Cuban cigars - I don't get a lot of those! I enjoyed the Gerard Room, I likened the place to a little Hollywood.
What's Jay Acovone doing when he's not working?
Working in my toolshed. Riding my motorcycle. Thinking about work,� what I'm doing next, how long it will be, who will I work with. Spend time with my wife, and my dogs.

We heard you're crazy about motorcycles and race cars. Is this a platonic love, or do you ride a bike yourself? (If yes: we'd really love to see a race between you and Amanda Tapping!)
Anytime she's ready I'd be more than happy to give her a lesson! I really do enjoy it!

If you were the interviewer, what question would you want to ask yourself? 
Gee, where do you go on your loooong motorcycle ride?" �... and me: "I'm not telling you it's a secret!" (insert mischievous laugh here) ;)

If they ever shoot the "Jay Acovone Story" - who should play your part?
Jay Acavone!
You wanna play yourself?!?
Yes I DO!!!

Jay wants to say "hello" to everybody in cyberspace, and leaves us with his dogs barking in the background, and we leave you now, too. And don't forget to rent "Dr. Mordrid"!
CONVENTIONS, FANS AND FANDOM
You're a very popular convention guest. You've done Stargate ones, Beauty & The Beast - which was the first con you've ever been to, and which was the most remarkable one for you?
In the early days of "Beauty and the Beast" we had an unbelievable following! I went to the "Crossover"convention, down in Virginia�, Beauty and the Beast and Star Trek fans, and others�. 900 people at a time! Never done anything like that before�, it was scary but amazing!  By the way: "Trekkies� " - a friend directed that. Now, I've got a better idea about conventions, I understand now� why someone would get that interested.

(Imagine Rizwaana here typing away like a champion while talking to Jay. "Wow - you type fast!"

You get on very well with live audiences, your stage appearances are hilarious, you got a very open and funny way to deal with people. Have you ever considered stand-up comedy?
Once or twice -� I'm NOT a stand up comic� hoooo boy!  Not by a long shot :) There's a place in New York- � they're still fumegating i. I stunk the place out!

What was your favourite fan encounter - and which was the weirdest one so far? My fave - a woman came up to me and asked: "do you know so and so?" It turned out I went to high school with this girl! I got a 'hello' note from her. For years I hadn't seen her, and it brought us back together. Weird:- "Hi, how are you, nice to see you, right backatatcha, bye" -  they know you from somewhere but not sure where� and I don't know them. :)
THE JOB
How did you get into acting, and what have you done before? 
It was back in 1977, at a community show in my home town. The show was "Mr Roberts". Before that ... oh god, I did� pump gas, made pizza and put down asphalt�, mixed concrete�, worked in a funeral parlour� and was an oil mechanic�, but acting was what I always wanted to do.

Who inspired you the most, careerwise and / or on a personal level?
As an actor:, Al Pacino, Jackie Gleason, Spencer Tracy ...� oh, and my uncle Leo�!!!

You have an impressing long list of TV, movie and stage appearances to your credit. Which one have you got the best memories out of, and is there one you'd happily delete from the list?
My b
est memories� are from Beauty and the Beast, we became like brothers and sisters, and we're still close friends today. I made friendships for life and have very fond memories. I haven't really had a nightmare yet, I really can't think of anything. I do have days when people are in a bad mood, but I just stay away from them and do my job and walk away in the end.

Recently we could see you on "Charmed". Any chance we'll see you again on the show?
I don't think so - it was � just a one-shot deal, but I got to work with Elizabeth Grace (Highlander). She was lovely, I had lotsa fun.

If you look back at your career so far - is there a decision you regret today?
You always wish your career would have gone a little bit better or a little bit different, but I think I'm fortunate and have had a good career.

Being a great fan of Jeffrey Combs, The Doc just had to ask what the work on "Dr Mordrid" was like! 

Jeff is a great guy. I love Jeff.  I recently ran into Bryan Thompson (who played the villain on Dr. Mordrid). The working process on that movie was extremely low budget. We had a lot of laughs! If you don't know much about wizardry, which I didn't, then I was having fun - there's nothing in the world I enjoy more than acting.

Many actors say that the movie industry has lost its inspiration; that there were no new ideas, and that Hollywood has lost orientation which direction to go, specially also after the events of 9-11. Would you agree on this? And has it become even more difficult to find work?
It has definitely become difficult to get work. We need writers, fresh new writers�. We jjust have to wait and see what they come up with. Writers are our most amazing artists.

What plans do you have for the near future? When will we see you again?
I'll be here, not going anywhere (laughs). I'll be in Hollywood until I'm dead! I just did a small part in "Terminator 3". Not allowed to say anything. Sworn to secrecy.

(Hey Arnie - we want him to see the end of the movie alive and kickin', ya hear us?)
Jeffrey Combs - picture by fellow woohoozie Nicole :-)
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