Emmanuelle Chriqui

Off the Beat. I am, as always your host, Brian Baumgartner, and as you just heard, today, we're gonna be joined by one of my favorites, the amazing Emmanuel Shrieky. You might know her as Sloan from Entourage. She also played Claire Bonner in snow Day and now she's starring as Lana Lang in the hit TV show Superman. And Lois from rom Coms to video games and now the Arrow Verse. Emmanuel, she has truly done it all, and to think it all started with a McDonald's commercial at age ten. Yes,

the acting bug got her very early on. Look, I don't have to tell you everything. She's done, because she is here to do that herself. Let's dive right in, shall we. Here she is Emmanuel, Shrieky, bubble and squeak. I love it, Bubble, squeak, bubble and squeaker. Cook it every month left from the people. What's up? Hello? Um? How are you? I'm so good? How are you? I'm fantastic. Thank you so much for coming to talk to me. Oh my pleasure of course. Where are you at my

house in West Hollywood? You're in You're in l A. Well, I know you travel around all the time, constantly working and on the road. Well, welcome back home to Los Angeles. Thank you. Let me tell you it's so. I'm on a hiatus right now and it is so good to be back in l A for the summer. It's been amazing. Where where do you film Superman? Lois? We shoot the show in Vancouver? All right? Your home, your homeland, yes, my homeland, but this is my home here. But it's great.

It's the same time zone. It's an easy flight, right. All right, Well, I want to talk to you about Superman and Lois and a little bit. First. I want to start by going back to your your homeland. I know you grew up outside of Toronto, is that right. I don't think that I've talked to anyone else that this is true of You grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household, is that right? Yeah? Modern Orthodox, like you weren't. Yeah, like it wasn't. When I say, I think, I don't know,

maybe I should come up with a different terminology. It was Orthodox in the sense that like we did shabbut every Friday, and we were kosher at home, milk and meat, like separate sinks, you know, dishes um all the high holiday but like day to day was normal. Okay, so really just the Shabbat and the big holidays. But I mean keeping a kosher kitchen at home, it was a big deal. That's a thing. That's a thing, right. Yeah. When I had friends over, I had to be like,

don't use that sponge. Yeah no, I know, Well that that's so interesting. I mean, to come out of that type of environment and that type of household. Um. I was told your first at least paid acting job was in a McDonald's commercial. Is that? Now? This is my guest, as you probably weren't eating McDonald's, right, maybe the fish? Oh was that fine? Yeah? Like that's the thing. We would go out to dinner, you know, It's just nothing

was allowed to eating the house. That was the okay stipulation. Yeah, okay. Um, you started you started acting young? Now were you instantly Well how did you start acting? What was your first experience? My first experience was doing community theater in Unionville where I lived. UM. We had was called the Unionville Theater Company. And my classmate at school had said, you know, do you want to audition for my dad's play because his

dad ran the theater company. And I auditioned for the role of the baby ghost in this Canadian play called Listen to the Wind. And it was like, you know, a full on theater experience at seven years old, and I was in like, I was like, this is amazing. I this is what I want to do at age seven as baby ghosts who were like this, this is it? Was it theater specifically or was it was it being

on stage act theater? That's that's like my roots. And then you know the town that I lived in, Unionville, we um at the time, like when it was time to start high school. Uh, they were building a high school for the performing arts, and they had an amazing theater program. So you know it was it was like I was all in. I was like I had to audition and I had to get in. I mean, I don't know what I would have done if I never got accepted. How far How far were you from Toronto?

Like minute drive outside the city? Okay? And so you

started because I mentioned the McDonald's commercial, you started? What did you get an agent or you started like in terms of commercial So what happened was that, um, during high school in the theater program in Canada, there is a levision station called y TV, which is like the equivalent of Nickelodeon, will say, and they were having a writing competition and the winner of the writing competition would have their show produced and they shows our school as

as the location, just because it was a new, you know, very beautiful kind of nine o two one oh looking high school and they used are they auditioned our theater department. So that was sort of like my foray into film and television. And from that I got an agent and then sort of started, you know, doing commercials and one liners and two liners and you know, a week here guests are there. Right. So in your early experience on on camera, how for you was that different than doing

work in the theater. Were you still interested more in theater, or did you start to really feel like film and tell where you wanted to move. You know, it's interesting I think that I made that decision sort of later because when I started in film and television, I was still in high school and you know, learning everything from Stanislavski and Udahogen and all the method acting and all the things, and so it was just sort of something

that I was doing parallel to going to school. And then when I went to college for a year and I majored in another theater program, and it was at that point that it felt a little bit redundant, like really, my high school had such an amazing program, And at that point, sort of later on, I really saw that I actually wanted a career in film versus theater. And so then I think, just you know, I have intense

stage fright, really, I know, it's it gets crazy. Yeah, it's like really intense still, and yeah, I get really nervous, like like sick, Like I'm like I literally am like, oh my god, why am I doing this? This is a nightmare? Why, you know. And then of course, once you're in it and the magic takes over. You're like, oh, that was the best thing after ever. But that was like a big thing for me, And I don't know,

I just felt that. I think my inspiration really came from so many movies that I had watched growing up, and I think I just had this dream that I really wanted to be a part of that. That way, I had like a very big influence on me. So yeah, so I just sort of pursued it and it seemed to have been the way to go. Yeah, it's fascinating to me because my experience was was just so different. Like I and now, you know, you hear so much

about Atlanta. I grew up in Atlanta, and there's so atta but there you go there and there's so much

work happening. You know, you can't be an actor now and not not work in Atlanta, And there's so much stuff happening there At the time, either, I mean, I think I know there was less, but it wasn't even a part of my consciousness film and television or being on film or like getting an agent like and I don't know what that says about me or you know, obviously it was it was a different time but for me it was just theater was like, oh no, I want to be an actor, and I want to be

a theater actor. And that was that was for a really long time. Actually, um so yes, fascinating to me to talk to people whose experience started at least early on and yeah, I mean McDonald's commercial here and a couple of lines there or whatever, but having that experience of being on film, on being on a set, which is such a different experience. I mean, you're fundamentally you're

doing the same thing. You're acting, you're playing a character, whatever that character is or does, but the experience of creation is so different. Beyond yeah, I think you know that, Brian. To your point was that, like you're right nowadays to be in film and television, it's virtually unheard of to not end up in Atlanta. But I think that that

happened fairly recently. Like I would say that the industry exploded in Atlanta, what within the last ten years maybe, you know, whereas like Toronto was always a place where there was a pretty thriving film and television community. So I think it just is exposure, like I think, you know what I mean. Like and also in my theater program. There were kids, you know, who were on Degrassi Junior

High So it was in my consciousness already. But I think if I had grown up like you, I probably would have stuck in theater far longer until maybe the opportunity arose. You know. Yeah, how were your were your parents? Were they supportive? I mean obviously at your ten they have to drive you or whatever. Yeah, were they support him of the experience and obviously beyond, Like, I am so lucky I had the support of my entire family.

I mean, my parents were supportive, my older brother and my older sister, like everybody sort of felt like that's what I should be doing. Like I think, you know, just because I was sort of one of these youngsters that was. I was really into music and dancing and entertainment of all kinds. And I was a bit of a ham as a kid. I became a lot shyer though older I got, but like as a little little one, I was really I loved just performing for people. Um. So I think I'm so lucky that I had the

support of my family, you know, fairly consistently. That's great, did you sing? I thought I couldn't think that's what I always say that's what I because I mean people are like, oh, did you do musicals and stuff? And I was like, yep, kind but like, looking back, I was very very clearly talk singing like I could. I could, I could talk sing on the rhythm and as long as there was some comedy role involved that I could,

I could crush that pretty good. But looking back is like, no, I couldn't really, I couldn't really think I had to sing from my audition for theater school for college, and I mean like I did it, but I mean, you know, like and not to basically be like, well, she can

hold the tune, you know. But it's so it's so crazy because I've often thought about how, like even today, like how I would actually love to take the singing classes because similar to like my stage fright, like I think the two are linked, Like I feel I know that I can hold the tune, but I am so stuck, like I just can't let go. I get so freaked out and I just don't do it. And I feel like if I can get over that hump, it could probably free me up as a performer just all around.

Because it's it's a bit of a fear you know. Yeah, I want to talk about your stage fright just a little bit more because I didn't know this is it? Is it about being in front of people. I think like stage fright is a combination of like, you know, it's the actor's nightmare of being like out there. It's you can't call cut and like but if you forget your lines what you want to I think wrong. It's all the things, like all the narratives that go in

your head that are completely fear base, that like paralyzed me. Um, but just a little like I mean, I managed to get through it, but man, it's pretty intense. Yeah I was. I would say I didn't have like traditional stage front. I mean, of course I have had those nightmares. Those nightmares continue to today. And for those of you who are listening who don't know what we're talking about, there is a very specific actor's nightmare where you are sleeping

but suddenly right. I mean, it could be any number of things, like you're about to get on stage and you don't know where your costume is or your wardrobe, or you're on stage and you don't know what you're supposed to say and everyone is looking at you, and yeah, that that anxiety dream that exists. I think I had

it more on live shows. I had it for a bit, and I think for me it was about there wasn't a script, right, but and somehow it was different than improv because I feel like an improv you sort of find your time to jump in, and you jump in. This is more like someone is asking you questions and you're not exactly clear what those questions are going to be or where it's going to leave. And I'll tell you a quick story. I was still getting this is a this is a long time ago now, but I

was on a late night television show. I'm not going to mention the name of it is since it does not exist. And I am there's a live studio audience and it's live late night and I'm in the chair and the host says to me, so we have a surprise for you. You don't know what it is, right, And I said no, and he said yeah, and then makes this very big deal about the fact that this is truly a surprise. This isn't a TV surprise, Like

you really don't know what it is. And I felt my face turn hot and begin to sweat, like uncontrollable because I truly don't know what it was. And it's funny that it's this because we were just discussing it. This was, by the way, this was not planned. They suddenly start playing a video and the video is a video of me in high school, singing in a tux, singing in and this is kind of before you can find anything in the world online or whatever. And I

had not seen this video. I don't think ever. I mean, it was like VHS recorded video of me singing to dream the impossible dream on video, and I'm like, and I kind of got up and started saying on the show like at the end, because I was like, I don't even know what to do. I don't even know what to do. And that probably damaged me for a while, just that experience of not it actually coming out, but just saying like, we're going to surprise you and you don't know what it is in front of all of

these people. That was my That was my nightmare. Hell, like, you're personal that was my personal health. Yeah, oh my god. You know I also had um like the true it was my nightmare come true. But ironically it wasn't on stage. It was on a television show that I was doing a couple of years back called Murder in the first Yes, I was playing this gang unit cop and for a week I had been learning like pages and pages of dial log and I had it down. And then the

night before the writer sends me new scenes. But like Brian brand New, Okay, now here's what I need to tell you. This is everybody who knows me knows this. I do not have a photographic memory, and I need time to work on my ship, like for real, I mean Superman and Lois knows that. Every show I work on knows that. That's just how I roll, It's how my brain works. So the night before I am flicking out, and for the first time in my life, I took like half an adderall and I was like, I have

to learn this, I have to do this. So I'm stressed to the max, anxious, barely slept. Get to set. The next day, I am beside myself and I go to the director on She's like the loveliest woman, Alesan Andrews. She was directing our episode, and I'm like, Alison, I got to tell you. They changed all my stuff at the very last minute, And like I don't learn stuff quickly, but I've got certainly done my best. I just want you to know that. She's like, no problem, it's all good.

I was like, awesome, we'll probably just you know, do it in snippets whatever. I get to set and she says to me, sweetheart, it's a walking talk, one shot, walking talk instant, like you don't even know. So I'm like there. I mean I think of maybe seven or eight takes. I think I got it once. Honest to god, I got it once, and I got it because like after the fifth or sixth take, I'm like in the back, we're like shooting in this warehouse. Um my co star

Kathleen Roberts, and she was like, you've got this. I heard you in the trailer. You got this. I'm like panicking, and I tears are streaming down my face and I'm like before action, I like walked to the bathroom warehouse and I literally pray to both my parents. They're both passed away, and I'm like, well, Dad, if you could hear me right now, I did you so bad. I have to get through this and I would be cold.

Somehow I did. However, Brian, after I had a meeting with the with the writer with the creator of the show, and I was like, that was easily the most stressful moment of my life. And I'll tell you I got it just barely. Uh. I did not do my best work, honest good, but it was a true after nightmare. That's that's off. You started with a lot of comedy and kind of romantic comedy roles Detroit, Rock City, snow Day with the amazing Gene Smart Chevy, Adam and Eve. Uh

you don't mess with the Zohan. Was there something specifically that drew you to those type of rolls or those type of roles just start finding you. I think they just started finding me, you know, because for the longest time, I sort of just it didn't click in my brain that, oh yeah, I do comedy. Like to me, I just didn't do comedy, and I gotten that funny like not at all, Like that's why would I do comedy. I remember even saying like, it's not like I'd ever do

an Adam Sandler film. Cut to Zan. You know, I remember a few years ago, Uh, I did Super Troopers too, and Jay chandrashekr you know, we we talked on the phone and he's like he wants me for this part, and I'm like, Jay, I don't honestly think that i'm your person, Like I don't do comedy, and he was like, are you kidding. I was like, no, I'm not kidding. I'm not kidding at all. He's like, I mean he

did this thing and he jokes about it today. He was like, Emmanuel is like the only actor that I've ever like spoken to on the phone that tried to talk her way out of doing a part. And I was like, oh god, that's really messed up. Anyway, I did it. I had the best time. So yeah, I guess I do do comedy. Yes, you, of course you do do comedy. You were then eventually cast in well, I would say, a very important obviously huge comedy Entourage. It's crazy when I looked back on and I was like,

I think this is true? Is this really true? Two thousand five, Entourage and The Office started at like exactly the same time. Oh, two crazy different shows, both successful in their own way, but they started at the same time, obviously on two different networks. Now you join Entourage in the second season, obviously, as sloan, did you watch the first season? Were you aware of it? Barely? I think I've watched a couple of episodes just to know what I was going to go, do you know? Um? But no,

I was. It wasn't even you know, it really popped. By like third season, it really hit, but I think like it was a little slow burned out the gate. Second season it started to definitely get some momentum, and by third season it was just like water cooler conversation, Right, what was your experience of auditioning for the role of Sloan? Oh? My god, it was so wild. First of all, it was like a three episode arc. It's literally like just

three episodes. But apparently the story goes that they really wanted to find ease new girlfriend, and you know, they had cast some wonderful ladies and for whatever reasons, it just, you know, never really worked out. And so when I auditioned initially, it went really really well. And when I got the call back, they had already like altered the role to be like to basically insinuate that my father was Malcolm McDowell and that my mother was Israeli, like

just to explain the coloring or whatever. And that's interesting. And like Kevin Connolly had called me before the callback because I think he just loved I didn't even know him. I guess he had seen the tapes or whatever and really sort of gravitated towards my audition and he just called me and he was like, do exactly what you did,

Like that was great. And then we read together at the callback and in the very last hour there was another actress that was like right like primed to get it, and I think, you know, Doug Ellen sort of fought hard for me and it went my way. And Kevin Connolly was the one who called me and offered me the part, like he got permission to do that, so sweet, I know. And then and then like it was it's

you know, I've talked about this so much. Is that Entourage was like the gift that keeps on giving, Like it was the rest of this series plus a movie that started out as like a three episode ark, the game Changer that one. How how long after the first three did you know you were going to stick around? I think it just sort of kept happening incrementally, like they just kept writing and writing, and then third season and fourth season, so it was like, you know, I

never was a regular on that show. I was always a recurring because the regulars had, you know, the front billing with all their names and the thing, and then I ended up having that for the movie. What was it like going back after so much time and doing the movie, I mean, aside from being fun and I'm sure reuniting with all those guys again, do you feel like you were different at that point, after so much time had passed from when you started so long before?

Not at all, Like, honestly, not at all. I mean, what five years had gone by and it felt as though we picked up exactly where we left off. It was wild. It didn't even feel like it had been five years, you know. And the crazy part is that still to this day, like when we all hang or see each other, it's surreal to all of us that it's been fifteen years since the beginning. Like wait, what right?

That doesn't even make sense. I know you had a director, Julian Farrino, who directed, based on my research, a little over a quarter of the episodes, you know, Julian came on. He and I became fairly close. I would say, he started directing the office a few episodes and he and I would sit because I guess, and I guess I still am I'm doing this. I'm just kind of a

nerd of the business. And we just kept start talking about the fact that these two shows were at the time very big, very popular people were watching, and they could not have been any more different different from from each other. What do you think the success of Entourage was? What do you think was what gravitated people towards it? Gosh,

grand um. I think there's so many things. I mean, I feel like, and you can attest to this, I feel like people are fascinated with the business, right like people who aren't in the business just sort of in the world at large. When you go to a dinner party and you're like the only apt or, suddenly all conversation is like pointed to you, and you're like, so

there is this real, like inherent fascination curiosity. And I think that that had a real big appeal, especially because we were really exploring this sort of funny but also gnarly underbelly of what is Hollywood, you know, And and it was controversial, and it was toted as a misogynistic and it was all of these things. But like it was like, yeah, but what do you think the business is? Tree me too? What do you think this fucking business was you know, like when Doug was writing that stuff

of that was not out of like his imagination. And I think people were floored by that. I think that had a big part to do with it. What do you think that makes so much sense? No? That, I mean,

I think that makes so much sense. I mean I think that for me, what was so interesting about the two shows, you know, being popular and again like basically being created and happening at the same time at the same time, there was a sexy escapism aspect of Entourage and kind of more specifically like what what you're talking about about those dinner party conversations when you're there and people want to know and they want to hear, and

to a large degree, um it. I think there was a lot of controversy about Entourage because of the things that you were talking about. It generated a ton of discussion. But I think also like that, I don't know, sexy people and private planes and you know, like that whole

sort of sexy escapism. And what's fascinating to me is we were just the opposite, right Like as a show we were we could not have been any I mean, we were literally selling paper in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and that and that was what Julian and I would we were talking, I mean, they were both happening when he was there, and it was like, he's directing our show in the next week, He's going to wherever you guys on location

or whatever. And I was like, well, this is just so interesting to me that the two shows exist at exactly the same time in the same place, and this is and and this is what the shows are exploring, and these are the variety of ways that people can be entertained and and want to watch. I feel like that, it's just fascinating. Oh my gosh. I agree with you. I mean I do. I mean, which just goes to

show you there's a there's a room for everything. At the same time, what do you most when you think back on that experience and, as you said, the gift that keeps on giving. What are you most proud of yourself and your experience, either of the show or your role on the show or what you did. Did anything come to mind? Yeah? I mean, god, that's such a good question. You know. I don't throw all the entourage talk that I've done over the years. I don't think

that anybody's ever asked me that. I think it was just a really it was interesting to play a role that It's not like I had that much screen time, you know, it was like it was the Boys Show, but we created I guess these characters that really hit a chord and it's sort of I guess it just found it like just a huge honor and compliment that people really just like resonated to this woman and that like for a show like that, Sloan was known as

this sort of like grounded, smart, sort of sophisticated and saucy, but like that it wasn't just this like overly sexified role like that. Part of her appeal was more than that. And it was a testament to two Doug writing that kind of woman. Like he was very protective of Sloan. So, I mean, I guess looking back, like if I were to look back on my career, I would be like, Wow, I guess I am really proud of that. You know, to have a character that people just really wanted to

get to know, there's a massive compliment. You think you're not a comedy person, you certainly are. You certainly are. But after Entourage and I'm more interested in whether this was intentional or again, if this just kind of happened you started working doing a lot of crime thriller, dark action, fully intentional? It was? It was was it murder in the First Cleaners? Mentally? Yes, oh yeah, you just wanted

something different. I just wanted to well, you know, okay, you know, like they they maybe in for this day, like to put us in a box. Right, You're that kind of performer. This is what you do. You look that way, you have this kind of voice or charm or whatever. This is what you do. And coming from the theater, it's like, no, that's not what I do. That's easy. I get to basically be me and get

to say some great dialogue. But like, this is what I do, right, So it was it was very intentional to to mix it up and to just try to sink my teeth into stuff that I wouldn't otherwise necessarily be thought of. Great. Emmanuel, you and I are the same. I don't even know. That's like I can't even say that, but you know it's I mean, it's exactly the same. When the Office was over, and it's funny, I was just at an event with a lot of Office fans and a few people brought up actually, like you know,

I did Law and Order SVU and minds. People bring up criminal minds all the time and they're like, that's not you. What are you know that you were good but that's not or I'll get an interview and they'll start talking about my background in comedy and I'm not being snarky, I'm like, I actually don't have one. I didn't do improv. That wasn't my thing. Like I was traveling around the country playing horrible people, like trying to find some bit of humanity in rapists and abusers and

all of them. That's much more what I do. But it's fascinating that we both decided. I'm I'm really glad to hear that that it was an intentional choice by you. Oh yeah, yeah, Yeah, that's funny, Brian, that's actually very funny. Like you're right, I do. I completely get it. And I think too, is that you know, there is something to be said though for really genius casting, because you know, a show like The Office worked because it was brilliantly cast.

Now the argument is, okay, but are you casting the person or are you casting based on essence? And I feel like it's kind of like it's a little it's a little of like, of course, what you bring to it, and it's a little of the essence that you bring and that's the reality of the situation, which sometimes hurts because you're just like, no, I can do this, Like

I know that I do have to say this. I've actually never ever revealed this ever before, not that it's like a big scoop or whatever, but um, I don't know the person's name, but I will I will tell you because I was trying to do, like, you know, dramas, and I've done quite a few and some recurring stuff, but I remember very specifically Criminal Minds. Criminal Minds is an odd show, right because Criminal Minds is the show

about the serial killers. And how that show is structured is that there is a cast, there is a regular cast, but basically whoever they bring in as the serial killer of that episode is actually the star of the episode. That's the structure of the show. And whoever it was, And God bless you if you happen to be listening,

I'll try to do the research later. That was a straight offer, and I will tell you that I give whoever that was a tremendous amount of because I remember talking to my manager and saying like they're they're just they're off, they're offering it to got it read it and it's like the and this was and I said no, No. I was so happy because I was like, yes, I can do this, but I can. I can with absolute certainty say no one has ever seen me do this before. Someone is like just really going out on a limb

and saying that they wanted this experience. So anyway, I've never yeah, I know, and I've told I've never really thought about telling you before. But yeah, that that happened, that's good for you. You're now on you You're a totally different kind of show. Superman and Lois Now are you a comic book person? Are you an arrow verse? Is that what we call it? An arrow verse? Yeah? Yeah, okay, no, definitely and not Did you know who Superman was? Yes?

That I knew, and I knew like you know, I had watched you know, the Daughter movies like back of It say whatever, you know, we all know, man, what planet are you on? Even don't know at least who's Superman? Who Superman is? Lois Lane Clark. But like I know, I wasn't. I had no ever in my career well you know, I mean I sort of I was a

bit of a TV snob. I mean I was on HBO for eight years and then I've worked with Hulu on this amazing dark show called Shut I with the Sick Cast and had like, you know, the Mentalist, like all of these things. So when this came along, I thought they were joking. Like when my team called me, they were like, look, they're really interested in you for this,

you know, for Superman and low If. I was like, that's hilarious, you right, They're like, no, no, really, like the creator of the show, we'd like to sit with you. And I was like, I don't even know how I feel about that, I really and so I went and I sat with Todd Helping, which was easily one of the greatest decisions I've ever done in my life because he is usually one of the greatest humans I have had the pleasure to know in our business. It's like,

really and um. We sat down and it was such a transparent conversation and I really told him sort of a lot of my reservations because I had a lot like I you know, to me the c W was the c W. I'd never worked for the c W. I always thought you had to be like young and hot to be on the c W. I was just like, I don't know if this is these are not goals, okay. So it was this real moment of like, check your ego at the door, what is happening? What is this project?

And what's the creative behind it? And Todd really, you know, he had said he really wanted this to be a version of like Friday Night Lights meets a superhero background, and that the role of Lana Lange was going to be, you know, a character that a lot of the audience was going to really relate to. And we just have this amazing conversation and I was like, I gotta do this.

I want to give us a try. Why not? And um, it's been wild and fun and great training, like some of the storylines that I've had to do, and you know, being a regular on a show like all of the things, and having these story lines that I've really gotten to

sink my teeth into has just been dreaming. So jokes on me for judging it in the first place, but I think we all do that, you know, like and we have these ideas and we have these goals, right, and our business is so ego driven, you know, like it is like you go, yeah, but I was an HBO girl for eight years, but you're not anymore. Guess why you're not anymore? So? The one next that it's very interesting. I am going to check it out based

on everything that I have. I have not seen you, and I've seen a few scenes knowing that I was going to talk to you. The description of the show basically Superman and Lois are now raising kids. So interesting almost an incredible meets Friday Night Lights meets yeah, like very interesting, and uh I am. I'm definitely gonna check it out. Now, are you in the comic con world? Now? The arrow Verse stardom thing is it is? I haven't I I have really been super gunshy about it, honestly,

just for COVID reasons. Like I've just thought of going to a thing. I'm just like, oh, hell no, not right now. I'm not ready for it. But I mean eventually, yeah, that comes with the territory. I suppose. Yeah, you're you're on hiatus, but you're shooting season three now, right we start in September. You start in September. Okay, have you gotten the scription enjoyed these last few weeks? No? But I did sit with the creator yesterday and I got a low down of season three and I'm very excited.

What's what's going to happen? Well, I can't tell you. I can't. It's just us chatting. You know, you can't tell I'm just gonna have to tune in. You can't tell us. I mean me, what's what's coming? Oh? I was going to ask you about shut up? Shut I uh? Isabella Rossalini, or as David Letterman always said, Isabelle La Ross Okay, psychics and hypnotists are psychics real? Do they exist? Yes? They do. But there's a lot of shysters too, But they do, but they do. Okay, you're the second person

I've asked that based on work that they've done. You're the second person who said, yes, if you could know what was in store for you, would you want to know? No? I don't need to know. Nope, I'm good. I don't. I don't have that desire to like go and like see a psychic. I think like I feel like if you're in the flow and you're doing and you feel good.

And you're doing all the work, and you know, the spiritual work, the mental work, physical work, and you're in it, then you're good, like things are gonna align as they should. I don't need to know. Okay, that's good. I buy that. I think I agree with that. I think I agree. I think I agree with that. I might have a slight more skepticism than you do, but I'm with you. You keep going, you keep doing you and whatever happens will happen. But in front of the other one, the

other absolutely me um. Is there any so drama, comedy, dark, now, arrow verse, all of it? Is there any type of role or genre that you haven't played yet that you want to? Oh my god so much? I feel like, do you feel this way? I feel like, no matter how much work I've done, I always feel like I'm just scratching the surface. And I really, I swear to God, I still feel that way, Like I get just so crazy and tired. Like when I watched Mayor of Easttown, Yes,

I was like, that's my dream. Like basically, Kate Winslet is my dream. Really, let's just call it, leould call it. I think she can do no wrong. I think she's phenomenal. I think she makes incredible choices. You know, I feel like I feel like there's so much more to do. And yeah, it's great I've had, like I've had such incredible opportunities, but like there's so much more in all, in all the genres, Like there's just so much more

to do. I love that. I think for me, I mean, I still consider myself a young man, but I have always looked older. And so like going back to my theater days, both in college and then even after college, I was always playing these role roles that I was way too young for. I was way way too way too young for. And so here's a crazy thing. And I'm talking about like roles I mean some in new stuff, but like the cannon, if you will, like like roles in like Willie Loman, death of a salesman type stuff.

And now it's like, oh, I'm getting pretty close to the age that I could actually do these things now, where with experience, with the experience and the age and the thing there, I think for me that that's an exciting that's an exciting property. Sure, yeah, to see what you're doing, men, Well, one of these days we're going to do something together. That's what's gonna happen. That would be very, very fun. Thank you so much for talking

to me. I appreciate it. It's so interesting to hear about your life and your journey, and I wish you nothing but the best in Superman and Lowis and beyond. Thank you. We'll do it together at some point. All right, Okay, sounds great, Emmanuel, thank you for joining us here today. What a pleasure that conversation was. I think we need an Entourage and the Office crossover show. Let's call it

Entourage meets the Office, shall we? To everyone out there listening, I hope you enjoyed another episode of Off the Beat. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already, and give us a follow at at off the Beat on Instagram to stay up to date with all of the latest and greatest. Have a great week, everybody. Off the Beat is hosted an executive produced by me Brian Baumgartner, alongside our executive producer Langley. Our producers are Diego Tapia,

Liz Hayes, Hannah Harris, and Emily Carr. Our talent producer is Ryan Papa Zachary, and our intern is Sammy Katz our theme song Bubble and Squeak, performed by my great friend Creed Bratton, and the episode was mixed by Seth Olandski.