One on One: Katie Walder

What did you think my role? I thought I thought maybe you were at Chiltern and you were you want of the Chiltern Gang. But then in the first I wasn't even at Los Angeles at that point, like I I was only in Los Angeles like when the college years. Gotcha? Gotcha? Okay, So, well, how are you. It's been a it's been a minute. Huh. You're looking great, you're looking well. Thank you? Well, not so much, but thank you very much. I'm very tired. Um, so so so what have you been up to? Um? Well, um,

I have a four year old. Oh that's lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely anything. Um, so I've been mommy really hard. And but she's in school now, which is great. You know, auditioning, working here and there, and you know, the the huge but you know, Pandemic kind of did a number on Oh. Absolutely, No, I know it's all these weird zoom auditions or or not even not even soon but filmed. You gotta you gotta take take them yourself. Yeah, jeez, I miss rooms,

I miss you, I miss people. I missed going into rooms. Yeah, I mean I'm a people person. I like. Yeah, So that's great. So let's get into it. Um, so you you joined season four as Rory's Yale sweet mate Janet, and had you been watching the show before you got the part? Had you been watching this show? Honestly, I had not been, however, Um yeah, I didn't even own a TV at the time, Like I was fresh out of college. Um, the summer prior to moving to l A. I hadn't even moved to l A when I booked

this role. But that's another story. I had worked with Lauren Graham in a play at the Williamstown Theater Festival, so Lauren and I had already become friends just organically, and I had never seen Gilmore Girls. So I actually didn't even I didn't know who she was, Like, I didn't know, you know, but then I knew she was amazing, um, you know, like in the play and everything, and we became friends. And then I moved to l A. And then when I got this, I was like, oh my god.

She was like hey, Katie, Katie, like at the table read it was kind of funny. Um. But yeah, no, I had never seen Okay, all right, when was the last time you watch a show? Just for our the last time? The last time I saw it. I did watch it, by the way, after I was on it, I was like I better definitely. Um. The last time I had seen it my niece was watching it. So that was probably about two gotcha. Tell us a little bit about how you got the role of the audition process,

the whole, the whole deal. This is a fun story. Um. I came out to l A. I was I was in New York doing theater, um, and my agent was like, you should come out for like a pilot season, and I'm like okay, And I came out and my first audition was for the Gilmore Girls spinoff, and so it was the one with Milo and the dad and um, and I ended up testing for it and I remember going into before the test the callback with Amy Sherman Palladino. She was like, that was great, do it ten times fast,

and so I was like okay. And I've always been a fast talker, so that came pretty naturally. And then I tested for it. I didn't get it. I was so sad. Amy had called my agent at the time and said, um, you know a little I'm obsessed with Katie. I'm going to give her a role. And I thought, oh, yeah, right, like okay, thank you, you know, but agent told me it didn't mean anything at the time. Um. And so six months had passed. I hadn't actually thought about, you know.

I was in l A, just kind of auditioning and whatever, and I get a call that I have an audition for a guest star in Gilmer Girls. So I was like, oh cool, okay. So I go in. Everyone's there, all the producers. Amy's like, how are you? Tell me what's new? And I do it, and I do the guest star.

I think it's like a very small guest star. Um. And the next day my agent calls me and says, so you didn't get the guest star and I was like, oh, okay, and he goes Amy wrote a role like for you, role of Rory's new roommate at Yale, and I was like what, Like, I literally that. I just remember being in the street being like, I like you so excited. He's like, yeah, like she kept her miss like he didn't have auditions for that role. She created it for you.

And I was like what, Like, you know, it's like mind blowing. And I was so young, so like I just was in this pure disbelief and that was really my first prime time gig other than like a New York Law and Order, you know. So I was like, I was so excited. I yeah, so you did eight episodes and when you got the role, did they tell

you how many you would be in? They didn't. They actually didn't, and I actually end up doing nine and one of for some reason, I don't know if Olivia Hack she and I end up getting cut from that episode for some reason, the graduation episode, and we were like what happened? Um? But but yeah, what they didn't tell me. No, They just said I was going to be recurring throughout the season. So I was like, Okay, all right, So they created this role for you today.

Did you relate to the character at all? There any similarities between you? I did not, because you didn't because you didn't know. I mean, right do you? Ay created a role for Yeah, and it was like this exercise addict and like, yes, I've always been thin, but like I was, like I was like a skinny you know, coffee and cigarettes in New York at the time, you know, like I didn't. I didn't know from X I wasn't

like the health that I am actually now. And I feel like that role actually played a big part in getting me healthy and moving to l A. Yeah. I end up getting a personal trainer because I was like, I better get like in shape this role. I need to look fit, not just like right right right? And so what did you put on? Put on some muscle because I saw I recall when I saw the episode, I didn't even know it was you. Um the girl did look a little like fit, like she had some

muscle on her. I never I never would have thought that was you, because I do remember you as being you know, very life and sort of dancer like like ballerina, Like right, yeah, that's nice. Yeah, I mean I got I leaned out, I guess, and that kind of started my journey, and like I became very healthy even like the way everything. I feel like that role played a big part in like changing my lifestyle. Funnily enough, Yeah, so Janet in Paris argue a lot. How is your

relationship with Liesa behind the scenes? Oh my god, So I really like Liza. She's hysterical. Um I knew lies A funny. There were a lot of um, like synchronistic connections on this show. So Liza is from Philly, and so am I and so really yeah, um the suburbs outside. I'm not sure exactly where she's from, but I'm from Huntington Valley really really your Jenkintown Havington? Sure? Yeah, I mean I was born in Philly and I grew up in I grew up in South Jersey. My mother is

buried in Jenkintown. Ya, oh okay, where you go? And so last one, you too, And we'd have done this like teen talk show called wrap Around. Do you remember that one Washington anyway, it doesn't matter. It was like a team talk show that they aired on Saturdays, and like they picked some kids from like the local schools to come and talk about late different issues current like teen topics, and she was a guest on that and so was I. So when I got killed her girls,

I was like, were you want to wrap around? And she was like, oh my god, yes and serious. We we got along great. I mean she's she's so easy to get along with. I feel like it's such a cool chick. You know, she's very very smart. Yeah, she she really, she's got all the vocabulary words. She during the reboot, she was teaching us all vocabulary words. She's like next level, right, but we knew them all, but we still, like, you know, we we humored her. Um um.

So what was it? So? Tell us about your experience on set? What was it like the first time you came on the set? Had you? I mean you you've done some work before that, So it wasn't like a total shock, right, It wasn't a total shock. It was my first primetime gig in l A. I mean so, but no, no, I it wasn't a total shock. I think what was shocking to me? What it? And can I be Candida? How candid? Can I be? Just open? Go go ahead, open up man? Yeah, it open up

the vault. Let us let us happen here you go, remember being so so excited right and so like wow, like I'm about to be and feel more girls um and I get to said, it felt like everyone was kind of miserable. Remember what I shocked at how like

like what I want to be here? Like I have to be honest, like the crew, the cast like at the time, and it was just like the t you know, like the college cast, but and I don't know if I was misreading it so so it was like the Yale set and it was all these like it was just kind of the vibe was very like so so as you was Liza, it was it was Alexis. It was all the college people and they were totally nice to me learn no, no no, no, I got you short. It just felt like people were kind of tired, yeah,

like tired and not like super into it. Not necessarily the cast the crew specifically, but no, I was kind

of like, oh I thought it. I was, you know, so happy, and maybe I was just like overly happy and like dream I don't know, but it definitely the vibe was like not that because you know I've been then I was on sets after that that were so happy that I was like, oh, okay, like these people seem very excited about and and I was excited, but it just didn't seem like everyone was as excited, maybe because you guys were in a groove, Like everyone was in a groove. It was just like whatever second nature

at that point, you know. And you know, I came in like do do I'm a new girl. I was, you know, yeah, so spitting sunshine, and uh, you know everybody who else was glum. You know, there were long, long, long hours and I look, I always you know, you know that the number one on the day, which is Alexis she's number two in the cast, but that was her set, so she's exhausted from all of the hours that she's got to put in. That's going to have a trickle down effect on everybody else, the crew, everybody.

So she's not happy, or she's having a bad day or she's having a bad week. It's not you know, that happens, you know, everybody takes like that on other days, Like that was my first day. So I was like, maybe something happened that day that I wasn't aware of because it just there was a weird vibe and then

it and then it was totally not you know. I think I think that's one of the contributing factors as to why the show ended after seven seasons, because I don't think those two girls wanted to work that much because of what it did to their their heads and their you know, their lives, and they just wanted to do less. I believe that's kind of what I've heard around the water cooler. It's like it was just too much.

You know. It's like, maybe try balancing it out with all the other characters, you know, and take the load off and then we can continue with the show. But I think that had something to do with, uh, you know, that show ending, because I mean, how what else could it be? It wasn't the ratings, right, I mean, the advertisers wanted to come back, So what else could it be?

You know, I don't like, I can't I mean, I can't speak for them because we because we always sat back and we just marveled at how much work they had to the workload on the both of them, and it was like, how long can they do this? Tired? Yeah? I mean at a certain point I know where I know you're interviewing me, but I want to ask you like, sure, how was your experience like where you did? You had a lot to do too, It's not like you didn't have you know what I mean, I feel like you

had just as much. Well in the wintertime, I never wanted to be there working because I wanted to be in Colorado skiing. So that was my had nothing to do with workload. I don't look, I don't mind a workload. I mean I can you know, I can bowl through anything. It's not a bit. It's how I grew up and so that's how my mother is. And it was like not a big deal, right work, I'm not afraid of work. Uh, but you know, once I discovered Colorado, then then work

took the bed seat. H Is that where you are now? No? No, no, no, no, no, no no, I'm still in southern California. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, I mean yeah. It was long hours, but you know I would get breaks, you know, I wasn't. It wasn't every day all day for me. They were absolutely absolutely yeah. Yeah, and uh that's tough. That's tough to carry that every day nine months, five days a week for nine months, and then you get a break and then you're back

at doing again. And it's just like you just you know, I know, the fans can't understand, like why would you want to get off a show because it's so beloved and it's so great and the quality is so good. But I think what the fans don't realize is how taxing it is on the actors and and and what it can do to somebody, you know, adversely affect their health in some way, you know. So it's like, you know, it's it's we we give a lot. It's it's like any other job where there's huge hours and people get

stressed out. It's just like anything else, you know. So yeah, Um, anyway, it's great being on your show. Any other questions, But tell me about your childhood. No, well, when I was born suddenly I was a teenager. It was amazing. I don't remember a thing. Um, so look, it's the show is known for its plentiful dialogue. Was it easier for you to adapt to that? Did you have a lot of dialogue? I did, and it was rapid fire, as

you know. I mean, it was always like it just had to be so fast, and so that wasn't challenging for me because I'm I was especially at the time such a fast talker naturally, you know, so it was kind of fun for me, Like I don't know, I

I didn't mind it. I didn't mind. But the only part that was like harder for me was like, you know, you read something and you want to do it a certain way, but when you have to say it's super fast, it takes away, like you don't get the time to do it, like necessarily the way you want to do it, you know, because you have to keep up with that piece. So it's much more of like a you know what I mean, Like it's almost like, um, it's rhythmic, you know, and you have to keep that rhythm or you're gonna

break it. So it's not organic per se. No, it's not. It's it's more it's more iambic than it is. Yes I am. I'm not saying that it is a iambic, but it's more it's more similar to that than anything organic that you're going to feel or come up with you I agree with that, sure, yeah, But it was like, you know, brilliant, and I understand they wanted to get all that brilliance packed in sure yeah, sure, yeah. M

Hey everybody, it's Scott Patterson exciting news. I will be appearing at the Rhode Island Comic Con at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Duncan Donuts Center, One Saving Street, Providence, Rhode Island, November four through the sixth. Get your tickets at r I Comic Con dot com. Rhode Island Comic Con coming November four through six, the biggest show in the smallest state. Can't wait to see everybody from all over the Northeast and all over the country. Come on out.

I'm gonna be there with Jared Paddle, Lucky, Michael Rooker, the cast of Walking Dead, the cast of Stranger Things. It's going to be a really fun show. Can't wait to meet everybody. See you that. Did you have a favorite or do you have a favorite memory from your experience on the show? My favorite memory, you know, I really loved the spring Break episode. It was so fun. I remember going to um Manhattan Beach or wherever it was like somewhere Huntington Beach or Manhattan Beach, I don't

remember exactly where. I think it was Huntington Um and it was so fun and it was the first time we had been on the location location. You know, still in in l A. But I just remember being such a fun episode. And I don't know. I worked with um Ethan, who played Gwen Um, who I also have

a weird history with. We went to camp together when we were younger, so it was really fun to work with him, and to where you work with every We we were all kind of close because we like slept at the motel nearby, like it was like a sleepover party. I just remember I think all of us bonded a little bit more during that episode. It felt like we were all actually like friends, you know. Um, So let's talk about this Christmas movie you have coming out. What

can you tell us about that? Yes, Um, it's gonna be on Lifetime. It airs December sixteen. It is one of a series of um gay themed Christmas movies. I think it's incredible. Uh so I am one of the leads. The two like main guys are actually a couple in

real life. Um, they're married. They're incredible there and the Broadway guys, the Broadway stars and they so anyway, it's it's a love story, but it's also like a reunion story where all of us come together like best friends from childhood and we have to um, somebody passed away and we need to find like there are a lot of clues leading up to a treasure that we all need to find and um, it just brings us all back together. When when when is it? When is it

coming on the air? December six and on Lifetime channel. What is it called? It's called a Christmas to Treasure? Okay? Great? So December sixteenth, Lifetime at Christmas to Treasure Katie walder Um, anything new? What's next after after that? I'm a lot and we shall see lots of fun auditions and hopefully one will hit. Okay you ready to play rapid Fire? Oh? Sure? Okay, so you should be good at this since you're such a fast talking ready how many comes to coffs? You

having a day? Wait? You having a day? Are you Team Logan? Team Chester? Team Dean? Uh? Team Dean? Who's your favorite Gilmore girl's character? Or what would you order Luke's Diner? Oh? Grilled cheese. Who would you rather go on a road trip with? Taylor or Michelle? Uh? I don't know who they are? You don't know who Michelle is? Oh? The guy did talk like this? Yes? And Taylor? Taylor? Dozy my nemesis in the show. Remind me he's the guy that ran the town hall meetings. I'm losing fans now,

I'm sorry, you're not you're not. I don't know half the show either, so don't know worries Taylor Taylor dozy you know to the town busybody? Right? Yes, yes, he's always enforcing regulations and restrictions, and he's just you know, he's just a well maybe they're both like tough characters. So which one would you rather go on a road trip with? Now? That? But maybe him? Maybe him? Actually I think Michelle. I think Michelle. Yeah, because it'd be funny.

He'd probably a funny story. He probably would. Um, okay, finish the lyric and where you lead, I will follow dot dot dot h anyway, I can that? You tell me? Yes? Nice, No, it's it's it's not Carly Simon. It's Carol King. Carol King. That's the theme song of the show. How many points am I losing right now? You're not losing any point? Listen, I have a couple. I'll give you a couple of my points. You won't lose a thing. All operated a deficit from here on out. Um Jackson's vegetables or Suki's

bakeod you know, Suki is okay? Would you rather listen to Drella's Harp or the Trooper doors cover songs? And that's a trick question because Drella was Alex Borstein in the pilot and she got replaced by Melissa McCarthy, so Drella's character went away. Alex Borstein could not be in the series because she was on something I think called Mad TV at Fox and they wouldn't they wouldn't let her out of her contract, and she was so great as Drella the harpist. Um, Yes, interesting in it? Um okay,

Chilton Prep or Stars Hollow High and Prep. There you go, there you go love it. Um. It's been a pleasure. It really has been great. It's so nice to see it. It's good to see you too. So you're still in l A and you're in l A fantastic and your daughters in pre K Nice Nice. I have an eight year old boy, so we went through that whole thing. So yeah, yeah, he's he's quite quite something. It's just the belly laughs that they're just endless. The magic, the

all day magic and the belly laughs. It's just it and the purity. I know it's about literally nothing better. Well it was. It was a real kick to to see you and catch up with you and let's do it again real soon. Okay. Um, and you didn't and you didn't lose any points with the fans, I guarantee. I'm sorry. My brain is I have mom brain still, it's it's it's totally totally understandable. They love you, they always will and they're gonna love you more now. Okay,

So no worries. It was great seeing you and all the best to you and your little girl. What's her name, Maddie Nicholas. So anyway, all the best and tune in December sixteenth Lifetime for Christmas to Treasure. There you go, and we know you're going to be great in it. So thanks for stopping by. We really appreciate it. Thank you, hey, everybody, and don't forget follow us on Instagram, I am all In podcast, and email us at Gilmore at I heart

radio dot com. Oh you Gilmore fans. If you're looking for the best cup of coffee in the world, go to my website for my company scott EP dot com, s C O T T y P dot com. Scott EP dot com Grade one Specialty Coffee Cup. Yeah.