sarah shahi march 2012 interiew transcript

360IModerator: Sarah Shahi

03-10-12/1:00 pm CTConfirmation #21582515

360I

Moderator: Sarah ShahiMarch 10, 2012

1:00 pm CT

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen thank you for standing by and welcome to the press call

Sarah Shahi.

During the presentation all participants will be in a listen-only mode. If you

have a question, please press the 1 followed by the 4 on your telephone.

As a reminder, this conference is being recorded Saturday, March the 10th,

2012.

And it is now my pleasure to turn the conference over to Mrs. (Sarah Hirsch).

Please proceed.

(Sarah Hirsch): Thank you. I’d just like to thank everyone for joining on Saturday for the

Fairly Legal call. Fairly Legal starts on Friday, March 16th at 9:00 pm. If you

need to reach me with any questions, you can call me at 212-664-4731. Thank

you and we can get started now (Merrill).

Operator: Thank you very much. Our first question comes from the line of Jamie Ruby.

Please proceed.



Sarah Shahi: Hi Jamie.

Jamie Ruby: Hi Sarah. Hi. Thanks for talking to us today.

Sarah Shahi: Yes, sure.

Jamie Ruby: Can you just talk about what we can expect this season in general? And I

really liked the premier, by the way. I wanted to add that.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, thank you.

Yes, you know, this year the goal kind of was to make Kate uncomfortable

actually. It was - we’re going to take away her security blankets. The things

that she thought that she could rely on the most. You know, like Justin for

example. We - something kind of big is going to happen there. We’re going to

find a pretty big - there’s a big reveal in the - I guess it’s the first episode

which you saw.

Jamie Ruby: Yes.

Sarah Shahi: And that kind of color - it kind of colors the rest of the season for their

relationship. And you know - and then her boat blows up - Kate’s boat blows

up, and you know, that’s - she ends up moving in with Lauren. And so there’s

room for all - for defiantly you know, more funny situations.

But the overall goal is to kind of you know push this character who part of her

charm is really in not growing up and not wanting responsibility and being

kind of child-like. And to push her hand at you know, possibly being an adult,

having to grow up, having you know consequences for some of the things that



go wrong at work -- which they will this year -- and to see how she does. And

you know, if I know Kate Reed, she’s not going to do too well at it.

But yes - but that’s the difference - the main difference between this year and

last year. And also you know, we’re building to this really nice little love

triangle between Kate, Justin, and Ben.

Jamie Ruby: Yes, I really like that new character. He’s funny.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Jamie Ruby: What have you found most challenging out of this year? Is there something

different that you know continues to challenge you?

Sarah Shahi: Well you know, I think the hardest part of the show for me, it’s the hours. You

know, it’s about 16 hours every day, and that’s the challenging part. You

know, it’s a marathon and it’s - everyone - Tony Shalhoub once told me that

you know you just kind of - you're like a hamster in a cage. You kind of - you

put your head down and you don’t really come up for air.

Every once in a while you get to come up for air, but then you know you can’t

get too used to it. You just put your head down and you just keep going.

So yes, it’s the hours really that are the most challenging for me.

Jamie Ruby: Okay, great. Thanks. Well, we appreciate you coming in on a Saturday too to

do this, so...

Sarah Shahi: Oh, it’s all good. Thanks for talking to me.



Jamie Ruby: Sure, thanks.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Pattye Grippo. Please proceed with

your question.

Pattye Grippo: Hi Sarah.

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

Pattye Grippo: So let me ask you now that we’re a season into your series, what about the

role keeps you challenged?

Sarah Shahi: That’s a good question. You know, I think - actually a really good question.

It’s how do you define - you know, the thing about her, it’s - what I love about

here too, why I wanted to be this girl so badly is I love her flaws, right. And I

love that she’s a character that is incredibly unapologetic about everything

too. And she’s a very strong female voice.

Now the trick with that comes in - because you know the nature of the show is

procedural, but in my opinion that’s not the heart of the show. So the

challenge kind of comes in finding the different levels of emotion within

everything.

If I had my pick, I think I’d probably play Kate to the highest dramatical sense

in every scene. You know, everything would be life and death, which isn’t

necessarily always right.

So I guess, you know, that’s the thing about her is finding the emotional level

that is at stake within everything.



Pattye Grippo: That makes sense.

And let me ask you, is there anything the viewers should know about your

character that hasn’t been apparent so far?

Sarah Shahi: No. No, not necessarily. You know, with - you know, the other beauty about

this girl is what you see is what you get. She’s pretty up front. You know,

there is no holds barred and she’s not hiding anything. You're going to know

what she thinks about you at any given situation.

So no, there’s - she’s not hiding anything.

Pattye Grippo: Okay.

And let me end with this. How does this show differ from all the other legal

shows on television?

Sarah Shahi: Oh, because it’s better Pattye. Come on. You know the answer to that.

Pattye Grippo: Well, I do, but I’ll ask.

Sarah Shahi: Yes. No, it’s - you know, at the - again, you know like I said, I don’t feel like

the heart of the show is that it’s a law show. I mean, I actually am not a fan of

procedurals myself. And if anything, you know, I fight tooth and nail every

day to keep this from being a procedural show.

And you know, maybe that’s the one thing. You know, I - honestly, other than

the procedural that I was on before this, I’ve never really seen another

procedural show.



So - because the things that keep me invested are - is the heart stuff, you

know, and that’s what I continue to play. So if anything, I hope this show is

different because it comes across as so much more than a procedural.

Pattye Grippo: I think it does. Thank you very much for talking with me today.

Sarah Shahi: Okay, thanks.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Allison Nichols). Please proceed.

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

(Allison Nichols): Hi Sarah.

I have to say since you brought up Life, I recently found out it’s streaming on

Netflix, and so I’ve been rewatching that. That made me very happy.

Sarah Shahi: Well good. Good. Good. Good.

(Allison Nichols): And so this season we have Ben, and he’s...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): ...he’s interesting. What would you say he brings to the show aside from

annoying basically everyone?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Well yes, he’s very quickly become you know a thorn in everyone’s side,

but with his character comes more comedy, which is always nice. And he is

going to spark, you know, something in Kate. So there - so something

between Kate and Ben is going to be sparked, you know, between them.



And you know again, we are building to that lovely little triangle. And - but

that’s the stuff that I love. You know, it’s like I’m really glad that they

brought this character in because I’m interested - that’s the stuff that I want to

see when I watch TV is I want to see what the romantic interests are and what

people’s emotions are doing, and how that’s coloring how they work.

And you know what’s so great about his character is he’s definitely coloring

Kate’s heart in a different way. Kind of unbeknownst to herself in the

beginning. And you know, he’s definitely coming in and he’s stirring

everything up, which is just changing everyone’s emotions. So it’s nice.

There’s a lot of payoffs that comes with his character.

(Allison Nichols): Yes, I don’t know if it’s in the second episode or something, but I mean

(unintelligible) bothers everyone. There’s - he bothers Leo, like - among

others. He’s very amusing.

Sarah Shahi: Well you know, he’s a very - he’s a different character than everyone else.

It’s, you know, his goal - you know, Kate has a very moral objective and she

just wants what’s right, and he just wants money. And he’s very up-front

about it, just like how Kate is very up-front about the things that she wants to

get.

And you know in the beginning, it is kind of - well not in the beginning, all

the way through she finds him kind of repulsive for that.

(Allison Nichols): Okay.

Sarah Shahi: Because if anything, you know, that’s the last thing that she’s concerned with.



(Allison Nichols): Yes, she has to deal with Justin and then there’s him with his money.

And I have to say - you know, as the first episode kind of sets up that’s she

not in a very - Kate’s never in a great place, but she used to be in a really bad

place at the beginning. You know, with her boat and with Justin.

Sarah Shahi: Right.

(Allison Nichols): Is she ever going to get somewhat happier towards the end of the season, or is

she still in her little rut, as I think she calls it with Leo?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Well, you know, I think it’s - with her this season, it’s really the goal was

to kind of show a character that you know goes two steps forward and then

three steps back. And then one step forward and then one step. And then she’s

at zero. And then she’s going half a step forward and a full step back. So it’s -

you know, to keep her kind of dancing and to keep her on her toes.

And it’s - she is going to have happy, yes. I mean you know Kate by nature is

a very - is definitely a funny character, you know, within those moments of

solitude that things go wrong with her. But you know, she wants to be happy

and she’ll find it. But again, you know, it does come - it’s not consistent. It’s

going to be very up and down this year.

(Allison Nichols): All right, thank you. Look forward to more.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): I’m glad it’s finally back.



Sarah Shahi: Okay, good. Yes.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Sammi Turano. Please proceed.

Sarah Shahi: Hello.

Sammi Turano: Top of the morning. How are you doing?

Sarah Shahi: Oh, I’m doing great. Thank you.

Sammi Turano: Good. I’m glad. My question for you is do you think that one of the show’s

biggest appeals is how so many women can relate to Kate?

Sarah Shahi: Absolutely. I - you know, I’ve always thought that she was a very, very

personal and relatable character. I mean, you know, who doesn’t have issues

with their parents? Who doesn’t have issues with their boss? You know, who

doesn’t have that relationship that they’re in, but then they shouldn’t be in?

You know, the guy or the girl is oh, so good, but they’re oh, so wrong.

And you know - and she’s a modern day girl with very relatable problems and

that was definitely my goal in playing her is playing her as a woman who, you

know, comes across as kind of you know ordinary as possible. Somebody who

comes across very simply in their agenda and what they want.

And yes, I mean I - that’s what I want and I hope that’s what comes across.

Sammi Turano: It definitely does.

My other question for you is are we going to see more development between

Kate and Lauren’s relationship, and how’s that going to play out?



Sarah Shahi: Yes. There is going to be more development between them. You know, and

that’s another one where we’re going to take a couple steps forward and then

take you know, gigantic leaps back. You know, they do end up - Kate ends up

moving in with Lauren and they - they are very different people. You know,

it’s like at the end of the day, Kate I don’t think has the maturity yet to accept

that this woman did not cause the death of her father, which is the whole

reason why Kate doesn’t like her.

You know, she blames the initial separation of - or the distancing of Dad and

Kate - she blames that on Lauren, you know, because she and her father were

very close and here comes the other woman, takes Daddy away. No Dad’s

dead.

You know, and I - at this point in the stage, I don’t think Kate has the

emotional maturity to understand that that’s not Lauren’s fault. So she’s going

to pin everything on Lauren still. You know, still enjoy watching Lauren

writhe every time she calls her step-mom.

And - but when it comes to the work, when it comes to work, there are few

times where Kate and Lauren both come to each other’s aid. And you know,

Kate is a big enough person in those moments to recognize that - okay, she

needs help and I’m going to help her. Because at the end of the day, even if

they are very different people, you know Lauren is very pristine and neat, and

Kate just kind of comes in and makes a mess of Lauren’s place.

At the end of the day, they would you know give the shirt off of their backs to

help the other person, because they are family. And you know, if there is one

thing that keeps them together, it is the firm and it is Teddy.



So - and I think in honor of their father - of Kate’s father, she would never do

anything that would put Lauren out.

But yes, again, you know it’s going to quite a while before we see full change

in their relationship - a full evolvement in their relationship. But there are

some situations this year in which they have to come together and help each

other. But then the kind of is back to square one, you know.

Sammi Turano: Sounds wonderful. Thank you so much.

Sarah Shahi: You're welcome.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Curt Wagner. Please proceed.

Curt Wagner: Hi Sarah, thanks for doing the call.

Sarah Shahi: Hi. Oh, the first male interviewer. I was starting to get worried.

Curt Wagner: I also was a big fan of Life, so cheers to you for that.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, cool. No, thank you.

Curt Wagner: You talked about been - having Ben on as a new character. I was wondering if

you could talk about having Ryan as a...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Curt Wagner: ...cast member and the addition of him behind the scenes.



Sarah Shahi: Ryan - you know, we went through a big audition process. Months long

before we finally found him, and I had a great deal to do with his being on the

show. It kind of felt like you know Mae West in a way, just going through a

lineup of men and going, “You, come with me,” you know. So it was kind of

like that.

And you know, I just - right off the bat I recognized he had a very comedic

sensibility and he was funny and had that kind of randomness that Ben - that

Ben has. And he’s been great.

He - you know look, I’m not going to lie. At the end of - when you spend 16

hours a day with somebody, it doesn’t matter who they are, they’re going to

get on your nerves. So there’s a lot of - you know, we are a dysfunctional

family at its best. The cast. And the dynamics that you see - what’s been so

fortunate about the show is there hasn’t been real acting involved. Everything

that’s happening is very organic - what you see.

And you know, Ryan and I a lot of times we do spat like an old married

couple. But then again that’s - I do that with Justin. I do that with Leo. I mean

let’s - you know, what’s there in the dynamic is very much brother/sister.

We’re constantly pulling on each other’s pigtails. So you know, with Lauren,

you know, it’s the same. You know, it’s all there as well.

And - but you know - yes, Ryan fits right in honestly. He’s - the cast is very

jokey with each other. We dish it out left and right. We’re not nice to each

other at times and Ryan and his Aussie sensibility - the dingo - I call him the

dingo, he just kind of - he fits right in with everything. So it was a very easy

fit and he brings so much - he brings a very light, comedic you know

sensibility, just like his character does to the cast.



Curt Wagner: I love that you're so honest about that answer, about even the dark side so to

speak.

Sarah Shahi: I don’t like pretending. I don’t like pretending, you know. It’s like - you

know, that’s why I think the role of Kate - Kate - I can very - you know, slip

into Kate’s skin kind of easily because she doesn’t like to kind of pretend

either. It’s like - you know, I - it’s just natural. It doesn’t mean we don’t like

each other. But then again, you know, what you're seeing on screen is kind of

how it is. And I love that. I love that there’s no - there’s - I don’t have to work

that hard to create those relationships with those people, you know.

And - so yes. And then again - but it’s just natural. I mean you could spend 16

hours with Jesus and find him annoying, you know what I mean? So it’s like

nobody’s perfect. We’re all different. We’re all forced in a very intimate

setting for a long period of time. And then you know, people are going to start

rubbing you the wrong way.

And I’m sure just as annoying as they can be; that I am if not more to them, so

it’s just - it’s just keeping it real.

Curt Wagner: Right. Right.

Okay, so going off of that similarity with Kate, how have you - how has

playing her either helped you - I don’t know how you were before, but has it

helped you become a better negotiator or peace maker in your personal life, in

your real life at all?

Sarah Shahi: Well, no. You would think it would’ve, but no. I’m not that smart.



No, it’s - here’s what I’ve gotten from her. You know, Kate is a woman - and

again, this is part of her - it’s part of her charm and its part of her flaw. She’s

incredibly in the moment and she’s very spontaneous. And if anything, that’s

the thing that I’ve personally from her. You know, being a wife, being a new

mom, you know you feel like you have everything planned out, or at least you

try to have everything planned out.

And then you know, there’s nothing like a two year old to show you that

you're wrong. And you know, so the thing that I’ve really gotten from her is to

really just kind of have no expectations and to just - to just go after what my

heart wants and to just - to be spontaneous and to be a little unpredictable.

And you know - and I’ve become more like that, which I have to say I really

like.

But it just - yes, that’s the stuff that I’ve gotten from her. I can’t say I use her

negotiating tactics as much.

Curt Wagner: Okay.

Sarah Shahi: I’m trying to with my two year old, but again it’s like he doesn’t care.

Curt Wagner: Well, two year olds are tough I think.

Sarah Shahi: He doesn’t care.

Curt Wagner: Yes.

All right, well I look forward to the Lauren and Kate being thrown together.

That’s going to be a lot of fun I think.



Sarah Shahi: It is. It is.

Curt Wagner: And say hello to Trucco for me and...

Sarah Shahi: I will.

Curt Wagner: ...continued success.

Sarah Shahi: Thank you so much.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Tiffany Vogt. Please proceed.

Tiffany Vogt: Hi.

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

Tiffany Vogt: Thank you for taking our calls today.

Sarah Shahi: Absolutely.

Tiffany Vogt: I’m a little bit curious how your relationships on the show are going to be

changing this season? It seems like in the first episode back there’s a lot of

conflict. But will there be - like you were trying to describe more bonding and

more levity as well.

Sarah Shahi: I’m sorry, the relationship with who? With Ben?

Tiffany Vogt: With all the relationships with the core characters.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, all the relationships.



Yes, you know, it’s - we’re definitely going to - we’re definitely using the

main cast more this year than we were able to last year. And so we are going

to see more interaction between everyone. And it’s - you know, it is - it’s

more of those dynamics that were established last year, but then better

because again, we’re spending more time with them.

And yes, it’s all that stuff. You know, with Lauren it’s a very - it’s a love/hate

relationship with more of the - you know, with more of the hate apparent than

the love, though it is there. You know, with Michael it’s - or with Justin, it’s

very up and down. You know, we get divorced but then we’re back together,

and then it’s not going to work out. But then we’re going to give it another

shot and then maybe it doesn’t work out.

And then - but wait a minute, there’s a guy named Ben, and you know it’s that

with Ben it’s - you know, he gets under Kate’s skin very quickly and then

becomes to find out that she’s got feelings for him. And you know, - and he

obviously has liked her from the beginning.

With Leo - you know, Leo is being pulled in a bunch of different directions.

You know since the firm is losing money and cutting back, he’s having to be

Kate’s assistant, Ben’s assistant, Lauren’s assistant. And so it kind of makes

his head spin a little bit.

And so if anything, you know, he has a little bit different dynamic to play

because he’s being torn in different directions.

Tiffany Vogt: Okay.



Then as a follow-up, kind of just as a playful thing. In that one scene in the

very first episode, Ben comes in after seeing Kate for the second time when he

goes (tickle fish).

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Tiffany Vogt: How hard or funny was that to film?

Sarah Shahi: How funny was that to film?

Tiffany Vogt: Yes.

Sarah Shahi: That was - it was good. It was more - it was more surprising than funny, you

know, because Kate is so thrown when she sees the guy from the bar. But you

know, it wasn’t really necessarily funny per se. I guess it’s probably funnier to

watch than it is to film.

But yes, it was very - it was - it definitely - it threw Kate off. It was you know

more surprising and kind of knocked her back on her feet than it was funny.

Tiffany Vogt: As an actor, was that hard to stay in character for that moment, or were you

just able to roll with it?

Sarah Shahi: No. That one was fine. I was able to roll with that. The one moment in the first

episode that I had a hard time filming because we just could not hold a

straight face is when we - when Ben and Kate are in the car together and we

pull up to Ben’s bus ad, or his - that moment. I don’t know if you remember

that moment where...

Tiffany Vogt: Yes.



Sarah Shahi: ...Kate and Ben are in the car and then he’s like, “Huh-huh-huh? Look at

that.” And that moment for me was - I just could not keep a straight face and I

just broke take after take after take. And then eventually, I think the cut of me

that they had to use was me breaking because they just don’t have me - one of

me reacting the way the character should be. I just - I couldn’t help it. It was

too funny.

Tiffany Vogt: Well, we’ve enjoyed the episodes so far, so looking forward to the rest of the

season. Thank you.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, good. Thank you.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line (Carla Day). Please proceed.

(Carla Day): Hi Sarah.

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

(Carla Day): I was wondering, in the show each - Kate, Ben, and Justin each kind of have

their own idea of what is morally right. How throughout the season will they

or will or will they not kind of rub off on each other and kind of have the

characters maybe see other perspectives and even take other perspectives with

the cases?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. I think they do. They are able to see the other person’s perspective. Yes.

But then again, you know, that’s what’s so great about the show is every

character is so unique and distinct in what they believe, and so they’re not you

know very easily swayed. So even for, you know, Justin to see Ben’s side, or



for me to see - Kate never sees Ben’s side. If anything, Ben starts coming

more around to Kate’s objectives. And you know, Lauren’s goal at this point

is just to keep the lights on.

It’s - you know, when a character does become persuaded by another, there’s

a lot of work involved. It doesn’t happen easily. If anything, that just becomes

the main objective of that character’s story line. But yes, you know, the ideas

do start to rub off on each other.

But I will say, you know, nobody is coloring Kate’s mind. You know, Kate’s

objective is the show. It’s the heart of the show. So Kate never will go over

and see Ben’s perspective or Justin’s or Lauren’s.

Though, she will you know help them out in a moment. There’s a situation

that Lauren gets under - Lauren is - she’s being investigated for misconduct in

one episode, and you know she has her reasons for doing it and Kate kind of

goes along with it just to help her.

But then afterwards, she definitely you know puts it to her and tells her how

wrong and how, you know, inappropriate she was for doing this and how she

did put everyone at stake for the decision that she made.

So again, you know, it’s like other characters will be colored by Kate’s point

of view, but I don’t think Kate ever really becomes persuaded by anybody

else’s.

(Carla Day): Excellent.

And I noticed when we were in (unintelligible), you know in Season 1, Leo

has a lot of fun stuff on his desk.



Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Carla Day): But this season, at least in this most - you know, the most recent episodes that

you were filming, Kate actually has some fun stuff on her desk.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Carla Day): You know, the gumball machine and that...

Sarah Shahi: Oh, you noticed. Thank God.

(Carla Day): Is there something that brings that about?

Sarah Shahi: You know again, it was trying to find the randomness in the character and

trying to portray a picture of somebody who is in this corporate world but is

so not of this corporate world. You know, so I have a record player there too

which we end up using in some of the later episodes. Kate’s listening to her

records.

So it was - you know, it was all done in a way to portray that this is again, you

know, a character who’s in this very black and white world but she is nothing

of that.

You know, we just filmed something yesterday at Lauren’s house, and you

know Kate’s boat blows up. She ends up moving in with Lauren. And I had

them put up the sign in the window that Kate wrote saying, “Help me. I’m

homeless.”



So you know again, it’s just the little things like that to try to color that this is

- it may look like a procedural show, but it’s definitely not.

(Carla Day): Excellent. Thanks for talking with us today.


Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Darlene Long. Please proceed.

Darlene Long: Hi there.

Sarah Shahi: Hi there.

Darlene Long: I’m sorry that we missed you when we were on the set, but I hope you're

feeling better.

Sarah Shahi: I know. Me too. I am. Thank you.

Darlene Long: Okay. Now at the close of Season 1, the - after producers announced that

there’d be a bit of retooling of the show, I think you were reported as saying

something like you had some ideas.

Now, did you in fact write any ideas as they worked on the Season 2 changes?

And what were they?

Sarah Shahi: Well, the changes for Season 2 were - you know, it was the change in the

show runner. That was the big change. And you know, I had an idea that

things were moving in that direction.



You know, I mean being the lead of the show - being the face of the show,

there’s very little creative decisions that can be made without me knowing

them. So you know, I did have a clue in what they were; it was that we were

changing show runners, which then by its nature brings a very different

element to the show in itself.

Darlene Long: How would you describe that? I mean, when I watched the premier, I thought

that the tone was somewhat more adult in some way. How do you describe it?

Sarah Shahi: Yes, it - you know, it was. It’s - I think the first seasons of any show more or

less are kind of a trial period. And the fact that we were - we got brought back

to do a second season was great because then we were able to take all the

things from the first season that didn’t work and change them.

And one of the things that didn’t work is the show sometimes last year felt a

little silly. Sometimes the mediations felt a little silly and it just - you know,

we needed to ground it a little bit more. So that’s what this season has been

about.

And you know - and Kate’s objective - the - Kate’s stance this year is, you

know, is she going to grow up? You know, she’s constantly surrounded by -

she’s in this adult world, very corporate world, and she’s just struggling tooth

and nail to not be a part of that.

Darlene Long: You talked about maturity, you know, and that being a constant struggle for

Kate. How do you balance the need for Kate to grow in her story line and

grow up a bit and maintain sort of the naïve charm she uses to be so good at

what she does?

Sarah Shahi: Yes, can you say that again? Sorry, we got cut off for a second.



Darlene Long: Okay. How do you balance the need for Kate to sort of grow and grow up

along with maintaining the naïve charm she needs to be good at what she

does?

Sarah Shahi: That’s a good question. I - hmm, let me think about that for a second.

You know, because - I mean, in her heart this is a character that’s very playful

by nature. She has a very - she’s a very kind of - she’s a very spirited person,

so it’s going to - they haven’t really - well here’s the thing. It’s kind of an easy

answer in a way. They haven’t really written anything. We haven’t really

earned Kate growing up.

You know, it’s like we’re only in the second season in, so if we’re going to

make some really big changes to her personality in that respect, I think it has

to be earned and we’ve got to be a few seasons in. So we can’t force our hand

and you know join the stuffy adults too soon.

Darlene Long: Okay, well thank you. It’s a wonderful show. Thank you very much.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, thank you so much.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Meg) (unintelligible). Please

proceed.

(Meg): Hi Sarah.

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

(Meg): Thank you for doing this on Saturday. I really appreciate that.



Sarah Shahi: Oh, well that’s fine.

(Meg): Actually, I was going to ask about the change of show runners, but...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Meg): ...since you already answered that question, does Michael Sardo still remain as

a writer, or is he...

Sarah Shahi: No.

(Meg): Okay.

Sarah Shahi: He remains as a check collector.

(Meg): A what collector?

Sarah Shahi: He’s a check collector.

(Meg): Oh.

Sarah Shahi: No. You know, he - you know, it still is his show, so he gets...

(Meg): Okay.

Sarah Shahi: He does get (unintelligible). Yes.

(Meg): Okay. Okay.



So I think the first season, you know, not to be - I agree with you know, most

of the things that you've said, but I think she’s always been very adult as far as

her work is concerned.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Meg): So she has to grow up in her personal life.

Sarah Shahi: Yes. There - you know, the thing is it’s not necessarily that she’s adult about it

because Kate is constantly breaking the rules. She’s constant breaking the

rules in her professional life. She really doesn’t care about roles so much. She

just - she - you know, she has a case and you know her heart kind of draws her

to what is the right thing to do, regardless of what the law says, regardless of

what two people want.

You know, she has the ability to prod, and prod, and prod until, you know,

they really reveal what they want from each other, even if it’s not what they

initially thought going into the mediation. And if anything, that’s what drives

her. It’s not necessarily that, you know, she is an adult in this professional

world but she’s not in her personal life; it’s the fact that she’s just so

passionate, and you know she’s very defiant in what she believe and how she

feels, and that’s what she goes after.

And again, it’s kind of the same in her personal life, except at the moment it’s

kind of murky what she feels.

So if anything, you know, that’s what drives her in that professional life. It’s

that passionate heart. But - and again - and she gets into trouble. You know,

you'll see in some of the season - in the season she will be, you know, held in

contempt. She gets clients into deeper waters than they initially started.



(Meg): Wow, okay.

Sarah Shahi: And she’s got to work harder to get them out.

She’s not always able to fix everyone, you know, so yes - it does - it’s a

pendulum. It does go in both worlds.

(Meg): Okay.

But I just wanted to tell you that this series is - this season - Season 2 Premier

felt like, “Oh, my God. She - her world is...”

I thought that Season 1 her world was crumbling. And now it’s like, “Okay.

She did it again.”

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Meg): Everything’s - you know, so it seems like it’s - almost feels like a new show.

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Yes. You know...

(Meg): I really appreciate that.

Sarah Shahi: Okay, good. Good. Good. Good.

(Meg): Yes, because I don’t want the dust to settle. And a lot of shows that they come

out with the really strong character that nobody likes, and then the second

season everybody’s like - like her - I mean, you know, like her.



Sarah Shahi: Right.

(Meg): And everything goes well. And it’s like, “No. No. You can’t do that.” So I...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Meg): ...really appreciate this direction you're going.

Sarah Shahi: Well good. Good.

You know, and the thing that’s so great about her - you know, I kind of play

her with no vanity. And so I’m not afraid of having a character that’s a little

bitchy at times. A character that is sometimes just mean to Lauren. A

character who, you know, does get a little too flirty with somebody else and

right in front of Ben.

You know, a character who may not be exactly likable at all times, because I

just think that’s human. You know, and that’s just going back to the other

question about, you know, do I think she’s relatable? I think it’s just real. No

one is perfect and I don’t like when characters on TV are, you know,

portrayed as - you know, just constantly likable all the time.

(Meg): Yes. Yes.

Sarah Shahi: So...

(Meg): Well, congratulations. I think this is a great start and I’m looking forward to

all the episodes that you can give us.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, good. Good. Good.



(Meg): How many are you shooting this season?

Sarah Shahi: 13.

(Meg): 13? Wonderful.

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Yes.

(Meg): Best of luck. Thank you very much.

Sarah Shahi: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Ellie Handley). Please proceed.

(Ellie Handley): Hi Sarah, can you hear me?

Sarah Shahi: I can.

(Ellie Handley): Right on.

Hey I hope you're feeling a lot better. I missed you at the set visit.

Sarah Shahi: I know. Thank you though. I am.

(Ellie Handley): Hey, could you talk to me a little bit about the real Sarah Shahi and the

character you play. Can you compare and contrast?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. You know, the reason which we’re the same - well, that’s a - you know,

here’s the thing. At the end of the day, it’s a lot Kate is a big part of me. And



it’s nice to be able to play something that is so closely related to myself - that

is a part of myself that I can kind of slip into without, you know, any vanity as

I said.

But the ways in which we’re similar, we’re both very, very feisty, very

passionate, and you know love life kind of people and take charge of life. You

know, we’re flirty and love clothes.

The ways in which we’re different, you know, Kate is kind of irresponsible

and she is a bit you know childish and immature, whereas I’m a wife and a

mother, and I just don’t have that much room for immaturity in my life,

though I would love to have more. But you know, it’s - you know, everyone

knows that it is kind of the woman that holds the family together in a way, and

so it’s - I do feel that responsibility.

(Ellie Handley): I love the character that Kate Reed is progressing from - when the show

started of course with Episode 1 and who’s she become now. They’re giving

her a lot more depth and she’s very relatable.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Ellie Handley): Could you go into a little bit more detail, as much as you can, about what’s

going to happen between you and Michael Trucco’s character? Because I love

that connection you guys have. It’s a great dynamic.

Sarah Shahi: Yes, and it just gets even better between us. And there’s just so much natural

chemistry that it’s just so - it’s so fun to watch.

We are going to - we’re going to go through it. You know, it’s - you know,

he’s going to you know drop the hammer on me in the first episode on how he



behaved during our marriage, and then from that we’re just going to - it’s the

roller coaster. It’s the - we get divorced. Kate becomes a little cold towards

him. She starts being a flirtier towards other people, and then they get back

together and they’re going to try being together.

But they’re just sleeping together, but they’re not really dating. And then he

kind of comes to her and he’s like, “Okay, well why don’t we start dating?”

And she’s like, “Okay, why not. Let’s just start dating.”

And then there’s Ben, and then Kate starts looking at Ben a little - you know,

more and starts holding his gaze a little too long. And you know, she goes

back and just isn’t sure about Justin anymore. And you know - and then - so

yes, so we’re just going to keep going round and round and round until the

season finale.

(Ellie Handley): Hey, I really enjoyed meeting Ryan Johnson in person. He was fantastic.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, good.

(Ellie Handley): And thanks for giving me all that heads-up information. Tell me a little bit

about Leonardo and what we’re - are going to get to see more of him and

Kate’s relationship?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Yes, we do. You know, we get to see Kate’s relationship more with

everyone this year, which is nice. But yes, we do. But you know, Leo is - Leo

and Kate are kind of unflappable in a way, but they’re not going to really -

they’re brother and sister, you know. He knows her better than she knows

herself. He knows what she’s going to do before she even does it, and so it’s

more of that.



Their dynamic really doesn’t change too much this year. You know, the only

difference is Leo is having to serve as everyone that sits in the office, and you

know Kate doesn’t really like that too much. But - and he has to come to my

defense at time with some of the other characters. But other than that, Kate

and Leo are you know, true and true.

(Ellie Handley): I’m really enjoying the different dynamics they’re - they wrote in through the

first season, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with Season 2.

Thank you very much.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, well thank you. I hope you like it.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of (Stevie Wilson). Please proceed.

Sarah Shahi: Hello?

Operator: Mr. (Wilson), your line is open.

(Stevie Wilson): Hello?

Sarah Shahi: Hi.

(Stevie Wilson): Hi. How are you?

Sarah Shahi: Good, thank you.

(Stevie Wilson): A question for you. Everybody’s been talking about the change in the whole

dynamic of the presentation of the show, and you’ve obviously got a lot on

your plate between the show and being a mom, and how do you juggle all

that?



Sarah Shahi: Well, my favorite thing to say about that is I have a brain and a uterus and I

use them both. But it is a juggle. You know, it’s a juggle and it’s a juggle that

I constantly feel like I’m failing at, because I want to be with my son 100% of

the time. But then again, you know, this is how I make my living. This is how

I pay the bills. So it’s - I can’t.

And I just try to bring him with me everywhere I go, and he comes to set often

and I make the AD’s baby-sit. And yes, you just - you know, you try to make

it work the best that you can, and - but I don’t know. I just - you know, I don’t

know. I don’t know how to answer that because I don’t feel like I’ve gotten it

down. Because - you know again like I said, I constantly feel like I’m not

doing a good enough job.

(Stevie Wilson): Well as a person who’s done that and felt the same way, it - you always feel

that way, but you actually turn out realizing that you did a better job than you

thought you did.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, well thank you.

(Stevie Wilson): Thank you.

And then what do you do for yourself in terms of - because you are doing so

much, that you give yourself some space and time of - you know, I don’t want

to say hobbies because that’s not it. Just...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Stevie Wilson): ...me time.



Sarah Shahi: Well, yes - me time. There’s none of that. There’s none of that right now. I - if

I have extra time, I sleep. That’s just what I do. And I’ve gotten really good at

it. I can now sleep standing up. I can even sleep with my eyes open, that’s

how badly my body needs sleep. But that’s - yes, anything extra goes to just

sleeping honestly. And you know, and to kind of keep myself sane on set and

not constantly have my nose buried in the script, I did take up knitting.

So yes - so sleeping and knitting.

(Stevie Wilson): Knit? What do you - is there anything in particular that you have completed

that you really like?

Sarah Shahi: No. I’m working on a hat though. I’m working on a beanie. I’ve been working

it for awhile. We’ll see how long it takes me to finish.

(Stevie Wilson): Yes. I had the same problem with knitting. I can’t seem to finish.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Stevie Wilson): So thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it.


Operator: Ladies and gentlemen as a reminder, to register a question, please press the 1

followed by the 4 on your telephone keypad.

Our next question is a follow-up question coming from the line of Jamie

Ruby. Please proceed.

Jamie Ruby: Hi again.



Sarah Shahi: Hi.

Jamie Ruby: We talked about with the change in your show and everything that you're kind

of aware of what’s going on on the set. But do you get to give input a lot?

Like with character development and maybe with some of your lines, or do

they - you just...

Sarah Shahi: Yes, I do. It’s - you know, it’s become a - you know, as far as the writing staff

goes, I’m - I was the only - you know, not that I’m a writer, but I’m just

saying I would - the cast was kind of the only returning members from you

know the change in regime.

So in the beginning, you know, Peter did rely very heavily on me and the

dynamics that were written between the characters, and we did spend a lot of

time in pre-production finding the voice and the dynamics. And no, it’s not

because Peter is such a great writer, such a confident writer that he has no

problems with me coming in and changing things or suggesting to change

things; he’s always taken my ideas and you know, it’s a very good, open,

collaborative relationship.

Jamie Ruby: Great.

Is there some specific - I know you said you're not a writer, but is there

something that kind of you would just love to see happen with Kate? Whether

it could happen or not, just kind of out your own mind.

Sarah Shahi: I would love for Kate to somehow mediate something between Russell Crow

and Slash and have to make out with both of them. I would both of them. I

would love for that to happen.



Jamie Ruby: That’s great.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Jamie Ruby: Speaking of actors, is there any guest stars you could talk about that are

coming this season?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Well, you know, the biggest has been Meatloaf. Meatloaf comes by, and

he prefers to be called Meat, and he was wonderful. We get into a - Kate and

him kind of go head to head and get into a screaming match, which is kind of

fun. I almost matched him in decibels, which I was proud of.

But yes, he comes by and he plays a union worker. There’s a - the union is

going to go on strike because the agency that’s funding them is - wants to cut

their wages, and Kate kind of gets in the middle and finds out that there’s -

you know, there’s more underneath the surface than what it appears to be.

And - so yes. So he comes by and he was wonderful.

Jamie Ruby: Okay, thank you so much.


Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Sheldon Wiebe. Please proceed.

Sheldon Wiebe: Good morning Sarah. Thanks so much for doing this.

Sarah Shahi: Good morning. Thank you.



Sheldon Wiebe: I’ve seen a couple of the episodes for the second season, and I see that Katie is

still coming across as pretty much fearless, like when she faces down the FBI

for example.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Sheldon Wiebe: And you've said that the major point of this season seems to be to make her as

uncomfortable as possible, so...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Sheldon Wiebe: ...what I’m wondering is will we see her thrown off balance to the point where

she ever actually loses that fearlessness for any reason?

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Sheldon Wiebe: And would she be - really? And is she someone who would bounce back from

that quickly, or would it really shake her?

Sarah Shahi: Well, the situation that she is in is a - that she is not as fearless as she says she

is becomes a personal - it becomes an impersonal - it’s a personal thing.

You know, Kate - when it comes to her work especially, she’s the kind of

person - she sees the fire and she walks into it. She’s just drawn to it. She

cannot help it. But when it comes to her personal life, again she’s a little bit

more unclear and there is more fear with that that she’d like to believe.

So the situation that she does kind of get really thrown off her feet, and it

happens to be a personal one with Ben where he kind of challenges her in a



way that she challenged him in the beginning. And, she’s not able to - she

doesn’t act. And she doesn’t recover well from that.

But as far as - you know, as far as her work goes, and this is a - you know, this

is a character that we have created so far that she’s drawn to conflict. You

know, she has to have it. She loves it. She lives it. She breathes it. And so

when it comes to her work stuff, she’s going to keep remaining fearless, but -

you know, but again, that’s - the thing that drives her is her heart.

So it’s not to say that she doesn’t go into a circumstance, you know, without

any kind of fear or you know doubting things, but it’s the fact that she does it.

She doesn’t back away from anything when it comes to her work. But when it

comes to her personal life this year, she does.

Sheldon Wiebe: Cool.

I noticed that Ben and Katie have a very David and Maddie type chemistry,

but the show seems to be trying to avoid the Moonlighting thing where it’s

strictly will they or won’t they, or when they, or when will they rather. But

because with the triangle, you can’t really be sure of anything with any

combination.

Sarah Shahi: Right.

Sheldon Wiebe: And I’m just wondering, what’s it like to play that?

Sarah Shahi: Well it’s - you know, I - after awhile, all the scripts kind of start getting very

confusing in my head and I do kind of forget where I left off with what was

the last dynamic with, you know, Ben or with Justin. So I have to be very

certain of what the - what - how the relationship has evolved. And because we



do shoot out of order, that’s something that, you know, takes a little bit of

(unintelligible) going back in and remembering where we last stood.

And also knowing what we’re building to, you know, is kind of how we

strategically are playing the scenes. And you know, it’s like you know placing

the pieces of the puzzle to build to this really nice picture in the end.

So yes - so it’s a dance. It’s a definite dance. But then again, that’s the stuff

that I love playing. That’s what I feel like I’m actually good at. So we’ll see if

everyone else agrees.

Well, the show’s a little more complex this year, and I’m finding that I like it

a lot more than I did the first season, so I really...

Sarah Shahi: Oh, well good.

Sheldon Wiebe: ...appreciate the way it’s going. And thanks so much for taking the time to talk

with us.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, sure. No problem. Thanks for listening to me.

Operator: Our next question is a follow-up question from (Allison Nichols). Please

proceed.

(Allison Nichols): So you mentioned - well you see Lauren and Kate move in, and so do we get

to see more of them, like I guess out of work?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Yes. There’s actually an entire episode that they spend together because

they’re on a case together. So there is going to be - there’s going to be more

interaction with Lauren. More interaction with everyone.



(Allison Nichols): Good.

Yes, when I was watching it, you know, I love that they have such a great

banter, even when they’re not, you know, arguing. Like they’re slightly

arguing.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): And so sometimes that even more fun to see than, you know, when they’re

yelling at each other.

Sarah Shahi: Yes, absolutely.

(Allison Nichols): And my favorite was when she saw - when Kate sees Lauren about to go on a

date and all the comments about her hair, that she actually has it, which is...

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): It’s just a great moment.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): And do we get to see anyone else more outside of the office? (Let me know)

that we get to see more of Justin with is campaign a little bit more?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Justin and the campaign, that comes along and - from the later episodes.

And actually, we see every character in their home a few times throughout the

season.



(Allison Nichols): All right, that sounds interesting.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

(Allison Nichols): Because last season, it was mostly you know in the offices or off mediating.

We didn’t get to see much branch out.

Sarah Shahi: Yes. No. No. We go to Justin’s, we go to Ben’s, we go to Leo’s.

(Unintelligible).

(Allison Nichols): Interesting.

And if you had to say whose house reminds you most of that character? I can

imagine Leo’s is just crazy.

Sarah Shahi: Well, yes. I mean, they’ve done a really good job of the set dec on the show is

great, so they do a really good job of putting the character’s personalities into

their homes. So it’s - you know, yes. Leo’s is kind of crazy and sporadic, and

a lot of gadgets and you know like antiques and - I mean, which is actually

more my kind of personal taste.

But - and then Justin’s is very kind of - it’s warm. It’s masculine. It’s minimal.

There’s - you know, it’s a bit traditional looking.

And then you know Lauren’s is a little bit colder, more minimal. And you

know, not so warm.

And then Ben’s - I’m trying to think if I’ve been to Ben’s. I haven’t been to

Ben’s yet, but I’m going to, and it’s the ultimate bachelor pad. You know, it’s

Ryan Gosling’s place in Crazy, Stupid, Love.



(Allison Nichols): All right. Well, thank you for spending your Saturday with us a little bit.

Sarah Shahi: Oh, yes. Thank you.

(Allison Nichols): All right, bye.

Operator: And we do have another follow-up question from the line of Jamie Ruby.

Please proceed.

Jamie Ruby: Hi. When I read on the database it says you have some other upcoming

projects coming up.

Sarah Shahi: Yes.

Jamie Ruby: Can you talk a bit about that?

Sarah Shahi: Yes. Well, the things I have that are - that haven’t been released yet are -

there’s this movie that I did in India called Static with Milo Ventimiglia, who

is, you know, on Heroes and that’s kind of like The Strangers meets The

Others. It’s a psychological thriller movie. And I play this woman who has

lost her son, her three year old son, and basically my husband and I - Milo and

I, we’re ghosts and we’ve lost our son, but we don’t realize that we’re ghosts.

And a series of things happen to kind of shake us into realizing what we are

and helping us go into the next world to be with our son. So that’s that. You

know, a simple little romantic comedy.

And then the other thing that I did was a Sylvester Stallone movie directed by

Walter Hill called Bullet to the Head, which I play Sly’s daughter in the film.



And I’m a tattoo artist. It takes place in gritty New Orleans, and he plays -

Stallone is a hit man and his partner gets killed and he’s out for - to avenge his

partner’s death.

And he and I don’t have a very good relationship, but we’re all family that the

other one has. And I get involved in the mix and try to help him out and get

taken hostage. And you know, he has to save me. It’s a very testosterone

driven - it’s exactly what you would expect from going to see a Stallone

movie.

(Allison Nichols): All right, so it sounds good.

What do you think you'd be doing if you weren’t acting?

Sarah Shahi: I’d be a midwife.

(Allison Nichols): Oh, okay.

Sarah Shahi: I know. It’s an answer much - most people are surprised at. But yes, you

know, I did a home birth myself, and I feel like I have a very - I have a talent

for it. I think I’m - I - it’s just something - and I - actually, I’d helped deliver

my manager’s baby, and I was - my heart was so overjoyed at that moment

when the baby came out.

And this was not mine. This is watching somebody else that I had a - you

know, I had a big part in the birth, that I really thought about quitting acting

and I felt like I’d found my calling. It was to be a midwife.



And I remember I called my husband when I was coming back from the

hospital and I said, “I think I’m in the wrong field. I really think I need to be a

midwife.”

And - but yes. So I just - I think I have an uncanny understanding of all of that

and the way it works and our bodies. And if I weren’t an actress, I would love

to go to school and be a midwife.

(Allison Nichols): Okay, great. Well, thank you so much.


I think we have time for one last question, and then that’s it.

Operator: And apparently we have no other questions at this point.

Sarah Shahi: Great. Well, guys I just wanted to say thank you so much. I’m sorry I couldn’t

be there that day. I was incredibly sick. And you know, I hope you like this

next season. And I hope you write the best (fucking) interviews you could

possibly write on me. So there you go.

END

sarah shahi march 2012 interiew transcript

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