KEVIN MCHALE .ORG » Interviews

Kevin McHale interview at The Twilight Saga: New Moon premiere (video)

Star — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:25:34 +0000

Another interview with Elizabeth Snead of the LA Times Dish Rag! Kevin talks about what’s next for Artie.

Kevin McHale – Good Day LA interview (video)

Star — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:12:22 +0000

Interview for Good Day LA

thanks Samantha & Glee Club!

Kevin McHale’s Fox All Access interview (4 videos)

Star — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:15:08 +0000

These videos are parts of Kevin’s interview with Chris Leary for Fox All Access. This is amazing. So nice to see a LONG interview with just Kevin. and it’s funny of course. lol.

‘Glee’s’ Kevin McHale: I want Artie & Tina to be a couple! (interview)

Star — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:00:05 +0000

This is an interview Kevin had with the Pop Wrap for the NY Post website. Click “read the rest of this entry” at the bottom to see the whole interview.

Last night’s episode of “Glee” was one of the funniest, most emotional and most revealing hours to date — and so much of that had to do with Artie. The wheelchair bound gleek has been something of a mystery to this point aside from the fact that he can play a mean guitar. But Kevin McHale really got to put his acting chops to good use last night as we found out what put Artie in that chair, where his heart lies and what appendages he’s still got full use of.

But considering just how much we learned last night about all the characters, I thought it would be fun to get an inside perspective on the twists and turns that went down so I rang up Kevin. We chatted about the evening’s big musical number, what he thinks about Artie’s future with Tina and what’s coming up in the final four episodes of 2009! Warning: spoilers for “Wheels” are rolling out right now!

PopWrap: Congrats on getting your first solo last night!
Kevin McHale: Thank you, it was so awesome. When Ryan [Murphy] told me to learn “Dancing With Myself” I was like, “huh?” But that’s the cool thing about our show, you never know what you’ll be singing — and to do a Billy Idol song, amazing.

PW: And a Tina Turner song — where else can you see those two in the same episode?
Kevin: Exactly! Plus, “Defying Gravity.” I mean, what other show has this kind of mix of music?

PW: Do you think “Glee’s” ability to span so many musical genres is one reason so many people love it?
Kevin: I do. When we were out promoting the show we would say that there’s something for everyone it in. But I think every actor promoting a show says that — however, we’ve proved our case. I think by using these mainstream songs, off-beat songs and Jane Lynch as much as freaking possible we’ve been able to cross into all these different categories.

PW: We also learned a lot more about Artie last night.
Kevin: So did I. Going in, none of us knew anything about our characters so we kind of made up backstories for them, so when I read what happened to him, I thought it was very cool. And I love how they did it too, how his story fit into the context of the episode. It just kind of sums up “Glee” — you have this sweet story and then I say, “but I still have full use of my penis.” That’s like a metaphor for our show.

PW: It’s an amazing line.
Kevin: It was a really hard scene to shoot because it was at the end of a long day and Jenna [Ushkowitz, who plays Tina] and I were dreading it because we couldn’t do it with a straight face. So all day I would keep turning to her and saying, “I still have full use of my penis” just to get it out of the way so when it came time to shoot the scene we wouldn’t laugh.

PW: Good thing you guys don’t have HR departments on set.
Kevin: [laughs] Oh yes, we’re a very open cast!

PW: So did the backstory you created mesh with the one on screen?
Kevin: Well, the debate was always whether or not Artie was born that way or became paralyzed, and I figured it happened later in life, which was right. I’m happy Artie’s storyline got to be in this episode, which was one of the best in my opinion. Not like I’m biased or anything. I’m not the guy who’s like, “you know the episode named after my character? I reeeally like that one!”

PW: Had you been told about Artie’s crush on Tina before reading it in the script?
Kevin: Kind of. From day one Ryan always said that he thought Artie and Tina should be together, so we assumed it would eventually happen. SO if you look back, we’re always sitting next to one another. So Jenna and I were always waiting — it’ll happen in the next episode, in the next episode … but neither of us guessed how it would turn out.

PW: Which was more shocking Tina’s fake stutter or Artie’s reaction?
Kevin: Well, we kind of figured her stutter would go away, but we never know what to think on that show. So I’m going to say Artie’s reaction was more shocking. At first I couldn’t figure out why he was being so dramatic. But I really think Artie fell for Tina because they were set apart by their disabilities. They’re already kind of outcasts being in glee, but within that group they shared a connection. So he based their whole relationship on that and when it went away, Artie didn’t know what to do.

PW: How long can he stay mad?
Kevin: I don’t know, we haven’t shot it yet. But we have our ideas of what should happen.

PW: And that would be?
Kevin: I like Artie and Tina together because Jenna and I are best friends anyway. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

PW: Another huge reveal last night was the discovery of Sue’s sister.
Kevin: I think that’s one of the best things the show has ever done.

PW: Not gunna lie, I cried from that reveal all the way through to the end.
Kevin: Oh, so did we. The cast watches all the episodes together and the first half has some of the best comedy that we’ve done so far in it, but then it turns. You get Kurt and his father, Artie and Tina and Sue and her sister. It’s just back-to-back and everyone started crying. It was insane. When you read this stuff in a script it’s different — obviously we know something’s there, but to see it on screen is amazing. Especially Sue, who you’re wondering about the whole time. It could have been really bad, it’s such a sensitive subject, but I think it turns out to be one of the best moments in the show.

PW: It’s another amazing example of how inclusive the show is to everyone.
Kevin: Absolutely. And I’m so proud to be a part of something that’s not afraid to tackle taboo subjects. Especially with Sue’s sister having Down Syndrome. I don’t know whether another show would be brave enough to handle that.

PW: Or another cast that could handle a wheelchair dance so well!
Kevin: [laughs] That was great because if you give us a prop, we really jump on it. There’s another number in episode 11 with a huge prop. It’s really funny because no one else had used a wheelchair before, so Amber [Riley] fell off the ramp, Lea [Michele] had a demon wheelchair and everyone was dying.

PW: You, like Artie, must have been the cast’s Yoda that day.
Kevin: It was exactly the same. I hadn’t realized how much I’d learned about using one until I kinda had to teach everyone to learn forward while going up a ramp so they didn’t fall out!

PW: There has been some controversy that a wheelchair-bound actor wasn’t given the role. Thoughts?
Kevin: You know, I’m just doing my own take on it. It wasn’t up to me whether or not I got the role — I can only do my part and if the producers liked me for it, great. Usually when you audition, there’s a character breakdown with their ethnicity on it and whatever, but with “Glee,” there wasn’t. It didn’t say that Tina had to be Asian — they wanted a diverse cast but whoever was right for the part got it. From my understanding actors in wheelchairs did audition, but luckily they felt I was right for Artie.

PW: I do think they kinda nailed the cast — it must feel a bit like kismet?
Kevin: It completely does. It would be weird to think of anyone else in these roles now — we all mesh so well. I mean, we’re really having fun and that can’t be faked or forced. We’re best friends and having the time of lives!

PW: Aside from last night’s numbers, which have been your favorites?
Kevin: I love when they switch it up like with “Hate on Me” and the Nelly song. I like when it’s a bit looser because up until then it had been super choreographed — those were fun because they challenged us in new ways.

PW: Can we expect more stripped down routines?
Kevin: Yes, definitely. There are more numbers that are looser coming up.

PW: And that song would be?
Kevin: I can’t tell you that! I feel like they can make any of us graduate early if we’re leaking information! [laughs]

PW: Fair enough. One thing that is out there is the upcoming Madonna episode. How cool was it that she just gave you her musical catalog?
Kevin: The fact that Madonna has even heard of “Glee” is kind of ridiculous! I’m hoping she wanders by our set one day and goes, “Oh, they’re shooting? Let me go say hi!” But I’m so excited to see what songs they pick because I know they won’t just use the hits. That’s not what they do.

PW: If you could pick one song, which would it be?
Kevin: Hmm, the first thing that came to mind was “Don’t Tell Me” — you know, where she’s in all the cowboy gear? When that came out, I was obsessed with it. But I love all her stuff. There’s a different Madonna on every album, so it’s kinda hard to choose. It’s like picking a favorite child.

PW: But you must be finding lots of unexpected fans — does not being in the wheelchair help you stay incognito when you go out?
Kevin: There’s been a few times where it’s gotten surreal. But when we were all going out in NYC, we always got spotted because we were with Cory [Monteith], who sticks out like a sore thumb. The guy’s like eight feet tall, so fans will yell, “It’s Finn!” Then they look down around his waist and say, “Hey Artie!”

PW: What can those fans expect to see next week?
Kevin: The episode is called “Ballads” and it’s about Will getting us to relate to one another through song, so he pairs us up and we have to sing ballads to one another about what’s going on in our lives. That episode has one of the looser numbers we were talking about earlier that I think you’ll really like.

PW: And what about with the remaining episodes, what’s to come in the final four?
Kevin: Well our show likes to take care of things and not leave you hanging. So look for a bunch of big answers about the huge storylines. Plus, we’ve got sectionals coming up, so we’ll see that too!

PW: Is it cool to finally have people seeing these 13 episodes that you guys kinda filmed in a bubble?
Kevin: Yes, it’s amazing. We were completely separated from the rest of the world while filming. We worked crazy hours filming all 13 back-to-back and we forgot that people were actually going to watch them. We always talked about what it would be like if this happened, or if that happened, but it’s even greater to see how it’s worked out. We all feel so lucky to be a part of this amazing show that people truly love.

“Glee” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Source: NY Post

Jenna Ushkowitz & Kevin McHale on ‘Glee’

Star — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:11:35 +0000

Gleeks, listen up! Your favorite show is back after a few weeks off, thanks to the World Series.

Tonight, it will be a very special episode full of lots of little twists turns.

FOX25′s Kim Carrigan had to chance to speak to two of the shows stars, Jenna Ushkowitz, who plays Tina, and Kevin McHale, better known as Artie, about tonight’s show.

Source: FOX Boston

‘Glee’ Kids on Baby-Signing, Duets and the ‘Single Ladies’ Dance

Star — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:07:18 +0000

The cast of Glee is featured on the AOL TV website! There’s also 2 videos of them discussing the show.

You may not know all their names, but if you’ve been watching ‘Glee,’ you know who they are: The kids in the Glee Club have shot to stardom right along with their new hit show.

And it’s not because they’ve got distinctive nicknames like “Wheels,” “The Asian Girl,” “The Cute One” and “The Hot Guy With the Mohawk” … or because they’re all talented singers and dancers. The cast members of ‘Glee’ are energetic, funny and a genuine kick to be around, as we learned when they visited the AOL offices to hang out with us (jealous?) and answer fan questions.

So what did we learn about Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz? Maybe that whenever you see Kevin frown, it’s because he’s trying not to crack up at a Sue Sylvester line … or that Amber thinks her character Mercedes beats up on her brothers … or that someone once asked the cast to autograph a baby … or that Lea has a song in mind for a potential Rachel-Puck duet … or that Cory plays drums for real on one ‘Glee’ recording.

Want to know more? Watch our exclusive video interviews below.

Amber Riley (Mercedes), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) and Kevin McHale (Artie):

Click here for the other video featuring Cory Monteith (Finn), Dianna Agron (Quinn), Lea Michele (Rachel) and Mark Salling (Puck)

Source: AOL TV

Kevin McHale Leaves the Wheelchair on Set, Spills Juicy ‘Glee’-tails

Star — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:53:42 +0000

Sorry for the lack of updates! I’m here now! lol.

Kevin is featured on the PopEater website. There’s an article, a video, and some new pictures.

We at PopEater love our DVRs, but FOX’s new prime-time musical ‘Glee’ is on a short list of shows we skip plans to watch at its actual broadcast time. Among the reasons for our devotion: Artie “Wheels” Abrams, with his golden throat and smooth wheelchair dance moves.

We were thrilled when the actor who portrays him, Kevin McHale, came in for a chat and photo shoot. Not only did we pick up some fun tidbits about ‘Glee,’ we learned a few interesting things about Kevin himself. Watch the video below to hear about Kevin’s boy band past, what the ‘Glee’ kids do when the cameras are off – and check out the photos to see how Kevin and Artie truly differ. (Spoiler alert: the wheelchair’s a prop!)

Check back tomorrow for Part Two of our exciting interview with Kevin McHale, when the ‘Glee’ star talks about his own high school experience, the differences between himself and his character, and being the only kid in America who appears on ‘The Office’ – without bragging.

Don’t Stop Believin is #2 on iTunes! Plus fall preview video

Star — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:45:37 +0000

Don’t Stop Believin’ is #2 on iTunes this morning! That is amazing! The response from the show is really great and I’m so excited for it to come back. If you missed the episode it should be up on a few places including Hulu and iTunes. Both for free Too bad we have to wait a few months to see the rest of the season. :/ BUT you can view this Fall preview of the show to see what’s coming up! Congrats Kevin

Glee Fall preview

One more thing..check out this interview with Kevin for Starry Constellation Magazine! You can also click “read more” below to see it.

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) “Glee” has pretty much been my life for the past six months with rehearsing, recording and then the actual filming. Before that, I was in a boy band called NLT.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the show “Glee” about your character Arty.

A) “Glee” is a one hour comedy that takes place in Ohio and it focuses on an overly optimistic teacher, who thinks he can restore the current Glee Club of misfits to its former glory. Arty is what you would call a nerd. He loves Glee Club with all his heart and uses it to escape the big bad world that high school can be just like the other members of Glee Club.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) At first, it seemed too good to be true. There was no way that there’d be such a combination of singing, acting and getting to do these amazing songs in the midst of a crazy Ryan Murphy script. I read the pilot and laughed out loud the entire time. So, I just set my mind to doing anything and everything I could do to be a part of the show.

Q) What about the role have you found challenging?

A) I could say the biggest challenge is the fact that Arty is a paraplegic. So, he is in a wheel chair. It was my first time playing a role like this and I’ve learned so much from it. Coming from a dance background, I instinctually want to start dancing or taping my foot to the music. So, I’ve been learning how to keep that under control and how quickly being in the wheelchair becomes natural.

Q) Where do you draw from for your portrayal?

A) I’m a complete nerd myself and I think I’ve always been drawn to those types in movies and on TV. So, I was really able to tap into that part of myself quite easily, but Arty is amazingly good hearted. I’d say he is naive, in a good way, to a lot of the drama that goes on around him because all he really cares about is making sure the Glee Club is always there and doing its best. I can completely relate to wanting to do something you’re passionate about and the drive to keep that dream alive, whether it’s wanting to sing in Glee Club or for me wanting to act.

Q) What has been your most memorable moment from filming “Glee?”

A) I’d have to say my first day of filming the pilot; it completely set the tone for the rest of the show for me. The fact that the first thing I did was get thrown into a port-o-potty, I knew the show was going to be fun!

Q) Was there instant cast chemistry when everyone first began working together or did it take some time to develop?

A) I don’t know if it’s normal for casts, but we clicked instantly. We had about three weeks of rehearsal before shooting the pilot and got along like we’d known each other for years. Even when we were done shooting the pilot and we all split up for a while before we found out the show got picked up, we still talked every single day. We’re all each others best friends.

Q) Why will people want to take their time to see the show?

A) The show is completely about the underdog and I think people naturally want to root for the underdog. Besides the fact that we’re singing songs everyone knows from classic rock to songs that are on the radio now, without being cliché, the show is like every good thing I’ve liked or seen all rolled into one. It’s positive, it’s funny, it’s witty and sometimes a bit cruel, but that’s the best part. You never know what’s coming next.

Q) Where can people go online to learn more about you?

A) Check out http://www.fox.com/glee, where you can learn more about me and everyone else from the cast!