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 Neptunesite
Interviews Michael Muhney (Sheriff Don Lamb)
Interview
conducted by Craig Byrne
- NeptuneSite Webmaster
November 2005
Neptune,
California wouldn't be the same without Sheriff Don Lamb. Always
a thorn in Veronica's side, Lamb is the sheriff that you love
to hate.
Luckily,
the actor who plays him, Michael Muhney, is a bit nicer,
and was kind enough to do an interview with us here at Neptunesite.
What makes Sheriff Lamb tick? Go ask the Wizard. Or, read his
answers below!
NEPTUNESITE:
How did you first become involved with the Veronica Mars
project?
MICHAEL
MUHNEY: I spotted Rob [Thomas] on the corner of Sunset and
Vine. I followed him to his car. I followed him home. I waited
outside his house until he left again. I followed him. While he
was inside a store, I let the air out of his front tire. I hid
and waited until he came back out. I pulled an “acting job”
while I was walking past his car, the role of the good Samaritan.
I asked him if he needed help putting his spare tire on. He accepted.
He mentioned that he owed me “bigtime.” Shortly thereafter
he offered me the role of Sheriff Lamb.
Someone
told me that it’s all about timing in this business. Someone
else has been known to say that “It’s who you know.”
I say, “Set a trap.”
(Fine,
I actually met Rob early on in the pilot casting process. The
rest, as they say, is H S O Y.)
NEPTUNESITE:
Is playing a character who many of the others regard as a jerk
more fun than playing someone straight-laced?
MUHNEY:
Yes. Oh yes. Lamb is capital “L” fun. Imagine whatever
job you have, going to work, and being allowed to be Lamb-like.
It’d be a blast, huh?
NEPTUNESITE:
Is there anyone you based your performance of Sheriff Lamb on?
Have you ever had a bad experience getting pulled over by a cop?
MUHNEY:
I have had a couple fun run-ins with police officers. Oh yeah.
There are a couple actors/characters that have influenced my Lamb,
but for now I’ll keep it secret! I’ve gotta keep some
stuff to myself.
NEPTUNESITE:
Do you think Lamb means well?
MUHNEY:
No. I don’t think he means well, or intentionally means
harm (most of the time), but what I think he does often is JUSTIFY.
NEPTUNESITE:
Would you vote for Don Lamb in a sheriff's election? If yes,
why?
MUHNEY:
I would vote to see Lamb on TV PLAYING a sheriff, but you
gotta be kidding me if you think I’d vote this guy into office.
(I am answering this question based on the Lamb that’s been
seen so far, but, there might be a few tricks up Rob’s sleeve
yet, and Lamb is yet to show all his sides to the fans).
NEPTUNESITE:
How, in your mind, did Lamb get to ascend to such a high position
in the first place?
MUHNEY:
I think he flattened someone’s tire, and then helped change
it.
NEPTUNESITE:
Do you think Lamb might secretly have a thing for Veronica, but
be unable to admit it?
MUHNEY:
I’ll leave that open for speculation. I like the fans debating
this issue, but for now, I’ll stay out of it.
NEPTUNESITE:
Who were some of your favorite cops in TV and movie history?
MUHNEY:
Serpico. Chiklis in The Shield. Bud White/Russell Crowe
and Guy Pearce in L.A. Confidential (mix those two together
and you’ve got some of my Lamb dish). Pacino in Heat.
Donnie Brasco. The good old days with Don Johnson on Miami
Vice. I liked several of the cops on Hill Street Blues.
There was this kickass cop on a show called The Huntress.
NEPTUNESITE:
Is there a reason why you are not included in the opening credits
of Veronica Mars? Would you like to be?
MUHNEY:
I am not in the opening credits because Rob found out that I set
up the whole flat-tire/repair job. He’s calling it “payback.”
Actually,
I’d love to be in the opening credits, I’d love to be
shown as more a part of the VMars family on any occasion
possible. I think that one aspect might come down to a money issue.
In my heart, if VMars had an unlimited budget for the show,
they’d buy me out and own me for 22 eps a season. I could
be wrong, it’s not really something that’s discussed,
though. I would be a liar if I said I didn’t want to be in
every show, every season. C’mon, this show has touched upon
greatness, I am on a high just being a part of it.
NEPTUNESITE:
What non-Lamb acting gigs might you have coming up?
MUHNEY:
Was just offered the lead for a guest star in a sweeps episode
for The Ghost Whisperer but had to turn it down because
my VMars schedule conflicted. That came about from the
fact that during pilot season in early ’05 I tested to play
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s husband (as a regular) in the show.
They picked the other guy, oh well. I was told there was some
disagreement about choosing the other guy for the part, and some
thought I should be the one to be cast. I think ultimately they
felt that they still wanted me to be a part of the show some way
or another. This often happens with me and testing for pilots.
Just because it comes down to you and the other guy doesn’t
mean that they don’t want you, they just found the other
guy is a better “fit” and often times I lose to namey
guys. I just wish MY name was namey. If I had my own series for
every time I’ve lost to namey guys I’d have about 170
years of back to back booked shows for the networks. Pilot season
is coming up and I generally test for about 6-8 pilots (comedies
and dramas) per season and I usually book a pilot every other
year. We’ll see. In my heart of hearts I want VMars to approach
me right before pilot season and offer to buy me out. That would
kill two birds with one stone, I can avoid an exhaustive pilot
season, and I can become a regular on a show that I’m in
love with.
Oh,
and I think Spielberg called about some movie or another but I
haven’t returned his call yet. Hey, I’m busy man.
NEPTUNESITE:
And besides Don Lamb, do you have a favorite role previous
to this job that was a favorite for you?
MUHNEY:
My performance and character in Boomtown was my favorite
until Veronica Mars came along.
NEPTUNESITE:
You recently did a run to benefit pancreatic cancer. How much
were you able to raise, and will you still be fundraising?
MUHNEY:
I raised almost 2500 dollars. Thanks to many of my coworkers and
friends and fans. Thank you all!
I
will fundraise for any cancer, any day of the week. We gotta make
the big C just go away.
NEPTUNESITE:
You seem to be very accessible to your fans. Has anything
said or done by a fan particularly surprised you?
MUHNEY:
It’s hard to freak me out, embarrass me, surprise me. I’m
very comfortable chatting with my fans. I embrace the fact that
they embrace me. The only thing that really surprises me is the
fact that I even HAVE fans.
NEPTUNESITE:
Do you have an all-time favorite Lamb line or sequence?
MUHNEY:
There are too many good one-liners to choose from. I’ll go
with popular opinion though, “Veronica Mars is…smarter
than me.”
NEPTUNESITE:
Do you have any particular funny stories from working on the
set?
MUHNEY:
Sometimes I’m not wearing any pants when I sit at my
desk while shooting scenes. Hey, it gets hot in those tight pants,
if the camera is in a close-up, there’s no need for them.
It keeps the crew on their toes. They need a good laugh from time
to time, they work so flippin’ hard.
NEPTUNESITE:
Veronica Mars has had a lot of high-profile guest stars
coming through. Has there been anyone in particular that you've
worked with or seen who really stood out to you? And why?
MUHNEY:
You spend a lot of time on the set with other actors that might
not even be in scenes with you, and getting to know several of
them, I can’t pick favorites. I can say that I still am waiting
for a glamour shot session from Tina. She gives such good camera
in N.D.
NEPTUNESITE:
What do you think would be Sheriff Lamb's ultimate dream? As in,
what would make him happy?
MUHNEY:
Quite possibly ruling the world. He might settle for the American
Presidency.
NEPTUNESITE:
And what would make you, Michael Muhney, happy?
MUHNEY:
Lots-o-Lamb! Oh, and I wouldn’t mind the occasional scene
wearing street clothes. Then again, maybe Lamb sleeps in uniform.
Who knows?
NEPTUNESITE:
Are you allowed to reveal or tease anything that may be coming
up for Don Lamb, without spoilers?
MUHNEY:
I’ve actually been told to try not to say anything about
anything, unless they specifically want us dropping hints about
things.
Oh,
but they did tell me that I could mention that Lamb was born on
Krypton and has super powers yet to be revealed. If he ever pulls
his shirt off you’ll see a big red “S” tattooed
to his chest.
NEPTUNESITE:
And, final question: Is there anything else you'd like to say
to the fans who may be reading this?
MUHNEY:
In my heart, you are all my life-blood on this show. You continually
humble me with your support.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
And
we here at Neptunesite would like to thank Michael Muhney for
this interview. You can read more about the actor who brings us
Sheriff Lamb at MichaelMuhney.com.
Send
feedback!
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this article on the Neptunesite forum at KryptonSite!
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Mars and its characters are copyright ©2007 Warner Bros. Television and The CW. This is a fan site and not authorized by The CW or its affiliates. Page copyright ©2007 KryptonSite, unless the material is noted as coming from someplace else or being by an individual author.
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