Viggo Mortenson on Northwest Afternoon

For those that don't know or didn't see the explanation before, Northwest Afternoon is a little 1-hour talk show that airs in the Seattle/PNW area on KOMO ABC every weekday at 3 pm. It's a local talk show hosted by two personalities, Kent Phillips, who is a radio DJ from a local station, and Elisa Jaffe, who as far as I know only does this talk show. They do interviews, talk with local personalities, deal with local issues, national issues, etc. They also have one other person on the talk show named Cindy Rinehart, who is the "soap expert". She does a 15 minute soap update every day and answers questions from the audience regarding soaps and their stars.

The talk show is often times taped live; though this taping, for whatever reason, was not. Well, I should be more specific. The Viggo part of the taping was not aired live, but the soap-update portion was. We taped on Tuesday, February 10th and the Viggo interview won't air until Friday, February 27th. I am sure it had to do when Viggo was free and airing the actual show closer to the release date of the movie or some such reason.

We were asked to be there by 2 pm, as the taping would begin at 3 pm. Though the part with Viggo was not going to be live, the first 15-min of the show was airing live, so we had to be in and seated by 3 pm. I went with a friend of mine and we got there at about 1 pm. We didn't want to be late and told we couldn't go in, so we gave LOTS of time. We hung out in the lobby with everyone else trying not to act too fan girlish, and soon met several people from the Northwesternesse group in which I am a member. At about 2 pm, they started checking people in, and taking us upstairs to the studio.

The studio is fairly small. I think normally they fit about 100 people in for the taping of the show, and this time they were at their maximum capacity. Viggo drew the largest studio audience, more than anyone else had in the history of NWA. There was something like 125 or more in the audience and from what I heard, over 100 on the waiting list.

Our group, (after we checked in so we knew we would get into see the show), hung out so we would be the last ones up the elevators to the studio. It was a good strategy, as they were filling the studio from the back to the front as they were seating. So since we were the last ones in, we ended up being in the first three rows. Not that it really mattered where you were sitting, with a studio that small there was no such thing as a bad seat. It took a bit for all of us to get seated and then they started with the live section of the show.

As I mentioned before, its with this lady named Cindy who is a "soap" expert. She basically runs over the highlights of the day, for all the soaps that are aired, no matter what station. Since most of us were Viggo and Lord of the Rings fans, most of us could care less what happens on the soaps and just wanted to get to the good part of the taping. The Director and camera people had a difficult time finding someone to focus on during this segment, who actually looked interested and excited in what she was saying. *laughs* But we did our best to not look bored.

I, actually, had called in sick for work that day, so I was trying to keep from being seen on TV. That was all I needed was for someone to come home from work, turn on the TV, and see my face during the soap section on the day that I had called in sick. *laughs* So I stayed as still as I possibly could and kept my face totally impassive.

I was nervous as all be out about being seen on TV, as they had a girl who was sitting directly behind me asked a question during the Soap segment. I thought for sure that I was going to be in the shot. But, when I looked at it later, the shot was so tight on the girl asking the question that you couldn't see me. Thank goodness! I actually made it through that segment with only being on camera twice, and that was during the wide sweeping shots going in and out of the breaks, and the only person who could tell it was me sitting there, was me, since I knew where I was sitting. PHEW!!!

Anyhow … on with the important part.

It seemed like it took forever, but FINALLY the Soap update section was done and Cindy left the stage. Then Elisa and Kent came on stage. Kent was making jokes about how he couldn't get a chance to speak to their guest or Elisa before the show because Elisa was too busy hogging his time. Elisa is very funny and she was making fun of herself being a giddy fan girl. Kent fanned her several times and joked about how he didn't have to be there today, since he knew he wouldn't get a word in during the interview. At one point Elisa turned to the group and said, "Ladies, I just want you all to know that when I asked the Magic 8 Ball, "Will I Marry Viggo" (or something like that) the answer that the Magic 8 ball gave me was Most definitely. So I just want it out there for all of you to know so you wont be disappointed" Lots of laughter, of course.

And Queenie, we all know that isn't true - so no worries.

When we finally started the taping again, there was a huge standing ovation when Viggo was introduced and came on stage. I have to admit, for one who works in the theatrical industry and doesn't often get googley-eyed or star struck around stars, my knees got weak when he came out. And I started to get choked up when I realized I was less than 10 feet from that wondrously talented, amazingly good-looking man.

*takes a pause for a deep breath remembering the moment and then to regain composure*

Ahem … now where was I? Oy yes …

We eventually started to quiet down and they asked the first question. About half way through the answer, they stopped the taping and said we had to do a do-over. Felt like I was having a flashback to elementary school on the playground, someone yelling "DO OVER!" Viggo's mike wasn't working properly.

Personally, I think it was all a ploy so that the PA could get up close and personal with Viggo when changing his body mike. *laughs* No no, just kidding, really there was a problem with his mike. Good thing it wasn't live huh?

Not that any of us minded at all … having to get up and cheer as Viggo entered was just fine with all of us!

Viggo is a very quiet, grounded, intelligent, almost bashful man. While he appreciated the cheering and the applause and all of our love, he seemed really not quite sure how to take it and very much overwhelmed. He is definitely not an actor who is an actor for the sake of the fame. He does what he does for the love of the art form and his work and he seems somewhat surprised and taken aback that others enjoy it and that he has a following now.

To be very honest, I don't remember a lot of the questions. I think I was gazing into his eyes so much that I went into this trance-like-dimension-thingy and well, there was no one else there but Viggo and myself and we spent a pleasant hour looking into one another's eyes and while other stuff was happening around us, we didn't take any notice.

Ok ok … so that's not what really happened, but I did kind of get preoccupied with staring at him and as I don't have the greatest short term memory anymore, I don't remember a lot of the specifics. I do apologize. LUCKILY, it will be aired on the 27th and I will be taping it so I can then be reminded of what was asked and his answers. I can then make a transcript of the interview if people want, but I also plan to bring the tape with me to the moot in case we do have TV and VCR available for viewing.

I will say, the benefit to having no short-term memory is that the interview will be almost new to me by the time it airs!

I do remember that they went to audience questions almost right away. They already know what audience members are going to ask questions and what they were, so that at least only fairly semi-intelligent questions were asked. Plus they want to make sure that the questions that are asked by the audience flows with whatever topic they are covering in the interview and isn't completely out in left field.

The interview was probably about half Hidalgo and half Lord of the Rings. They did, actually, a pretty good job of mixing it up so that it wasn't like so many other interviews where the star comes to talk about their new movie, but its all about the LotR. They showed the trailer for the Hidalgo movie and they showed a clip from RotK - the part where Aragorn and Gandalf are speaking at Edoras and Gandalf has started to loose hope that Frodo and Sam are alive.

Viggo talked about his horse Hidalgo and was asked about buying him. He bought the two main horses that played Brego in LotR and he bought the one that played Hidalgo. He basically fell in love with that horse, and how could you not with spending so much time together?

He spoke about how the horse had his own personality that really came out in the film. That while they originally had certain ideas for scenes, how they would work and what the horse would do; that often times those ideas would be scrapped, as the horse would do something that worked so much better during the filming. Often times they would be filming something and the horse would start to do something and the Director would say just follow the horse.

Viggo was asked when he knew he had made it. His answer was that he didn't know that and didn't feel that he had. He said that any actor who comes to that realization has basically got nowhere else to go. He feels that he himself has so much more to do and to grow and that there is always something new to learn and explore.

He was asked the typical question of where he had his tattoo and if he would show it to us. He declined, which I was happy about, but did say that his tattoo was on one of his shoulders (wouldn't say which one). He talked about the experience of getting the tattoo and did say that everyone in the Fellowship save for JRD (Gimli) got the tattoo. That he sent his body double in his place so that the Fellowship wouldn't be broken.

Side note … This was interesting to hear, as JRD had said the same thing in his talk about sending his double, but we all weren't sure if he was teasing or if he was serious. He was laughing when he said he sent his body double and didn't say that it was so that the Fellowship wouldn't be broken, so it was hard to tell if he was joking. Especially since it had been reported for so long that all the Fellowship had gotten the tattoo. I did do some looking online and found that it was actually reported that JRD didn't get the tattoo for personal reasons, and that he did indeed send Brett Beattie, his body double, instead. Guess I hadn't been looking for those interviews! *laughs* It was appropriate for Brett to be included in the Fellowship, though, since he spent nearly as much time if not more as Gimli.

I am very glad that Viggo declined to show his tattoo. I realize that we are all fascinated over everything revolving the books, the movies, the characters, and the actors, but I really wish that some people would get a clue and leave these poor actors alone about this issue. It has been stated over and over again that this is a very personal thing for them. Yes, the "Fellowship promise" was broken and the tattoos have been shown. Ian was the first to apparently show it, and then Elijah was pressured by Leno (I think) to show his on TV, but the tattoos were never going to be secret forever. Some of the tattoos were in places that WOULD eventually be seen at some point in some film. In fact, apparently Orlando's can be seen in PotC. (Haven't seen the movie, so can't verify that fact) But even if they have been seen and shown, its obvious that it's a private matter for these gentlemen and that some just don't want to talk about it. I wish that the media and the fans would leave them alone about it! (And it was pretty obvious that Viggo wished the same thing as well)

*ahem* Anyhow … I am so getting off on a tangent here!

Viggo said that the tattoo was a thing that was done to keep the Fellowship together and to symbolize the lasting friendship that they will all have. In retrospect, he says, that it probably wasn't really all that necessary since the bond between them all is so tight that it will never be broken, and though they will be apart, they will never really be apart.

He was asked about getting the role of Aragorn at the last minute and about how he almost turned it down. He reiterated what he has already said several times in interviews, that it was because of his son, Henry, that he took the role. At first he WAS going to turn it down, as he didn't feel comfortable about the last minuteness of it all and the fact that everyone else had been in NZ practicing for so long. His son loved the books though and basically insisted that he take the role.

THANK THE GODS FOR HIS SON!

He talked about how difficult it was for him to be away from his son for so long, but that his son did get to spend a great deal of time with him in New Zealand. He came down during the summer, (winter for New Zealand) when he wasn't at school, and was able to be on the set for quite a bit of time. And like just about everyone else who spent a good deal of time on the set, he eventually got incorporated into the movie and included in several shots for both Two Towers and Return of the King.

I am not sure if I can remember all of the characters he played, but I will try and list them - I did know some of them before and if I forget some, I will have to add it in later.

He was one of the Rohan boys getting ready to fight at Helm's Deep, (he is actually the one that is standing near Hama's son, when Aragorn is sitting on the steps of Helm's Deep, sees a boy looking at his sword, and he says:

Aragorn: Give me your sword. What is your name?

Boy: Háleth, son of Háma, my lord. The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless.

Aragorn: This is a good sword, Háleth, son of Háma. There is always hope.

If I remember correctly, Henry has a helmet on and is standing on the other side of a fire barrel.) He also is apparently one of the ones that are throwing rocks down on the Orcs, though I haven't spotted him there. He plays an Orc a couple of times and is also a Gondorian man.

Viggo spoke of how you could see the difference in his age and height during the course of the movies being shot since he was a Rohan boy at one point and then able to play a Gondorian man later.

Apparently, also, when he played an Orc, at least one of the times, he got the chance to go up against his father and fight and attack him. Apparently he had to be reminded that he wasn't supposed to actually hit his father and that he was supposed to be the one to loose in the confrontation. *grins*

I am trying to remember more specifics about the questions regarding Hidalgo, and unfortunately, I just can't remember them., I am just going to have to either post the transcript after the show airs, or do another report. *sighs* Sorry about that guys.

He was asked about his artwork and photography and if any of it ever appeared in any of his movies. It did, actually. His work was featured in "A Perfect Murder". I haven't seen the movie, but apparently Viggo plays an artist, and he asked at the beginning of the shoot who would be providing the artwork. When it was said that it would just be commissioned or gotten from somewhere, he asked if he could do it. He was told to bring in 6 large pieces in a few days time to see if it was good enough, he did, and it was put in the movie.

They showed a brief film clip from the movie, the opening sequence where art is shown in a loft (I am presuming it was his characters' loft) and the art is Viggo's.

And, of course, he was asked about some of the mishaps that happened during the filming of Lord or the Rings. Elisa listed Viggo breaking his tooth, almost drowning, and getting lost in a forest as a few of the incidents that happened. Viggo laughed about it and nodded, which prompted her to ask for more specifics about him getting lost. Viggo said the incident didn't actually happen during the filming, but that some of his friends were visiting and he was talking about how great these forests were that they had been filming in and wanted to take them exploring. His friends apparently asked, Do we need a light? Do we need a compass or anything? And he said, nooo I know my way. I don't need anything. Well, they tramped around, it got dark, and he kind of lost his way. They apparently all had to lie down and rest until the moon rose so they could figure out what direction they were heading, he could get his bearings and find his way back. He laughed and made a joke about not sharing the same tracker abilities as Aragorn.

The interview lasted about 40 minutes, but could have lasted 40 hours and we all would have been happy. *grins* After the show was over, they told us that Viggo had brought passes to a premier of Hidalgo for everyone in the audience. The passes were not for the one that I attended later on during the week, so I may be going again next week.

Though he was rushing off to the airport to catch a plane, Viggo did agree to photos with people who had brought cameras. I hadn't brought a camera, because, well to be honest I am not a photo person, and they had also said they wouldn't be allowed.

Note to anyone who goes to any events with LotR people … NEVER EVER believe them when they say no autographs or photos, ALWAYS be prepared. I have been to two events now, where they said no photos and autographs, and the rules changed once we were there. So always come prepared if you want a photo or autograph.

One of the people in our group did have a camera and did get in line. Since she was sitting next to me and didn't say anything about having a group photo when she hopped up, I did not want to impose myself on her picture. Besides, I am fairly new to this group, so I don't want to assume that I can just be apart of anything that anyone did. The rest of the group, however, did jump into her picture once she got up with him. I did get a copy of that photo as well as a few quickly grabbed snap shots of him after the interview was over.

Viggo was very gracious with all of the pictures. A young lady had made him a necklace and also made the box she gave it to him in and was shaking terribly as she tried to give it to him. He looked genuinely pleased with the gift and spoke to her quietly for a few moments, very genuine and very gracious when he accepted the gift. It was actually quiet touching.

Where I had been sitting during the taping was right on the middle aisle so when Viggo had been looking at the middle camera, it looked like he was looking straight at me. In my own little dream fantasy world that I like to live in and call reality, he WAS looking right at me, which is probably why I don't remember much from the actual interview. Staring into those beautiful eyes …

And yes, you can get lost in those eyes …

Anyhow, I got up to exit, since the line for photos was really long, Viggo was getting overwhelmed, and there wasn't going to be an opportunity to just say hi, shake his hand, stare into his eyes, or tackle him for a kiss. Again, in my little dream world of existence he looked up at me as I stood and smiled. (He did look up and smile, can't really say it was at me specifically, but in MY reality …) I did smile back and nod and it seemed to me that he nodded back. (Of course, I also don't see those men in the straight jackets behind me either …) Honestly, it did seem to me that he did acknowledge my silent thank you, and that he seemed grateful that I wasn't rushing to mob him, but with so many people around, who can really say?

I would LOVE to sit down and have coffee with that man. Though he is extremely soft spoken, to the point that it was almost hard to hear him at times, and he seems to be somewhat shy and reserved, he is very intelligent and there is so much going on in that mind of his! I would just love to get to talk to him for several hours, days, months … It was a true pleasure to be able to be apart of this experience.

Back to Lord of the Rings Events