Milo Ventimiglia, "Heroes" actor: Mr. Media Interview, Part 2 (Return to Part 1)

BOB ANDELMAN/Mr. MEDIA: It must be hard for both the writers and the actors to be on a show where the expectations are so high. You almost reach a point where, no matter what you do, you’re going to let people down. Is that the case?

MILO VENTIMIGLIA: Yeah. You’re damned if you do, you’re damned if you don’t. You just gotta know that, ultimately, the work that you’re doing, the work that you’re putting in, it’s your best efforts, and it’s everybody’s best effort. That being said, though, all those best efforts have to come together in sync. Otherwise, the show doesn’t have a heart.



ANDELMAN: Before the writers’ strike set in, how much did you know of plot lines for your character going in? And how much do you think that may change going forward with the delay in getting back into production?

VENTIMIGLIA: I knew quite a bit. I knew where we were headed, but I also had the luxury of not really having to follow too closely because Peter had amnesia. I went in for a meeting with Tim Kring before we started filming, and he said, “Peter can’t remember anything.” I said, “Okay, great. Let me know as I need to know stuff.” I just kind of waited around. Usually, you’re pretty eager to know where you’re headed. I had no idea where Peter was going to go, and it didn’t really matter at that point. Where we’re going to be going after, again, that’s all up in the air. I think the production team was taking into consideration the criticism we got and hopefully, wanting to get back on track to the same feel we had the first season. So I think things are going to switch up a little bit.

ANDELMAN: Is there any question whether you’ll stay with the show? Eric, who wrote in, said that he had heard rumors that you didn’t necessarily want to continue.

VENTIMIGLIA: Who said that?

ANDELMAN: Eric. He’s one of the people who sent in some questions for you.

VENTIMIGLIA: Really? I’m a real guy, and I also have a contract that I hope to honor. So I’ll be on the show, I think, as long as they would have me and as long as I’m obligated to it and put my best work forward, and I’ll leave everything else up to time. I’ve got other ambitions, but when it comes to the show, and when we’re in production, that’s what I’m doing.



ANDELMAN: Dr. Blogstein, who has a show on BlogTalkRadio, wanted to know this: “Are there considerations in taking a few episodes this coming season or next to go deeper into the back story and focus on your character’s parents as well as George Takei’s character and some of the older heroes?”

VENTIMIGLIA: I think that was our intent -- to understand a little bit more. That’s always been the question. People want to know how did these abilities come about? The way the show’s been going -- the storyline -- it seems that there was a greater mystery as to why these people, how these people have these abilities. Again, that’s a lot up to the writers about what they’re looking to explore. And, of course, the actors, we can give our two cents in what we’d like to see, what we’d like to get into, but it’s ultimately up to the writers.

ANDELMAN: Sharon wants to know -- and remember, I didn’t write these questions -- if you’re not dating Hayden Panettiere, who are you dating?

VENTIMIGLIA: Is my what?

ANDELMAN: If you’re not dating Hayden…

VENTIMIGLIA: My phone broke up.

ANDELMAN: I’m sorry?

VENTIMIGLIA: I said my phone had a little glitch for a second.






ANDELMAN: Oh. Okay. Sharon’s question is, “If you’re not dating Hayden Panettiere, who are you dating?”

VENTIMIGLIA: It’s one of those funny questions that…

ANDELMAN: I’m glad I didn’t ask.

VENTIMIGLIA: I think when you’re young and in this industry, and you work as much as I do, you try to spend time with people that want to spend time with you. That’s about all you can do.

ANDELMAN: Alright. Last question: Mimi asks, “What powers would you want in real life?”

VENTIMIGLIA: I think in a world where there are people with abilities, I’d take my character’s. He’s a sponge. He can soak up anything. But if I just had any ability, I’d want to be able to teleport. I could go have coffee in Paris if I wanted to and lunch in Italy, then be right back at home in the flash of an eye.

© 2007 by Bob Andelman. All rights reserved.

Labels: BlogTalkRadio.com, Dr. Blogstein, Hayden Panettiere, Heroes, Milo Ventimiglia, Peter Petrelli, Tim Kring

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