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Kal Penn talks 'House'
As fans saw at the end of last week's House season premiere, the Good Doctor is finally ready to audition a new team.
It isn't giving away any twists to reveal that not all of Dr. House's prospective underlings are created equal. Some are just a bit more familiar than others, particularly to regular FOX viewers. Olivia Wilde, for example, is a network favorite, having appeared on both Skin and The O.C. Peter Jacobson, you might recall, was a regular on FOX's Method & Red. And Kal Penn played a brief, but pivotal role in the terrorist plot on last season's 24.
Penn, of course, has also appeared in features ranging from Superman Returns to The Namesake to Epic Movie to Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. He's a busy man, but he took a few minutes to via e-mail to discuss his House run, which begins on Tuesday (Oct. 2).
Zap2it: As a softball opening, what drew you to House in the first place? And can you tell me how many episodes you're signed for?
Kal Penn: I'm a fan of thoughtful and well-written scripts, and for that reason, was really excited at the prospect of working on at least a few episodes. I'm not sure exactly how many I'm signed on for. The plot involved 40 fellowship applicants, and each week, a few more get fired. The actors' contracts work in much the same way -- we really don't know who's going to stay, and who's getting written off.
Z: As of your one House episode I've seen, your character is still being known just by a number. How early on did you actually know the guy's name and is it liberating to play a guy who's that sort of blank slate or do you prefer having things more spelled out from the beginning?
KP: I knew my character's name from the beginning, but in series television, you don't always know the intricacies of your character from the start. It's totally different from theater or film (where you've got the script and the full character breakdown well in advance). I can't say I have a preference for one over the other.
Z: It's rare for a show like House to inject so many new characters at once. Have you, Olivia Wilde, Peter Jacobson and the other new actors developed a specific quick rapport as the new kids on the block?
KP: The new fellowship candidates have definitely all gotten along really well. Unlike our characters on-screen, we aren't at all competitive in real life. We get along ridiculously well, and that's a chemistry that I think you'll see onscreen.
Z: And how about the integration between the newbies and established actors?
KP: Same; we were really welcomed and included in everything right from the start.
Z: In the past year, you've also done guest parts on 24 and Law & Order: SVU. Are there things you're learning about the ways things run on these successful shows? And what differences have you seen between sets?
KP: It seems to me that the better shows have the smarter, and more talented writers, as well as the producers and directors who are willing to take more risks.
Z: Going off that, in the past year, you've done these TV guest spots, but you've starred in three high profile movies, with Harold & Kumar 2 still to come. How important is it to you to be able to go back and forth between the two mediums? And how important is the willingness to go from a big part in a movie to a featured TV part and visa versa?
KP: I try not to think about things like that anymore. I'm trying to look for compelling roles in well-written scripts. I don't really care if it's a studio feature film or a play in a 99-seat theater in Brooklyn.
Z: And as a follow-up to that, are you noticing differences in the projects that come to you for TV versus film? And how much of the back-and-forth is based on Hollywood having a limited number of ideas for what to do with just about the only Indian-American actor in the marketplace?
KP: I am definitely not the only American actor who happens to be of Indian descent in the marketplace. Unfortunately, we still don't live in a society that views merit over preconception, so it's harder for performers of color to get work. I've done my share of ethnocentric roles in the past, and they really, really bore me. Ethnicity should never be the sole defining force behind a character. There are smarter filmmakers who I aim to work with again (like Mira Nair, and Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg most recently) who tell stories that are compelling for real reasons. And in the tv world, especially in the cases of House and SVU, the roles I played were cast color-blind.
NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEW SERIES FOR "HOUSE". WANT THE 3 DOCTORS BACK. THE SHOW IS CENTERED ON HOUSE AND THAT TAKES AWAY FROM THE SHOW. THE CHEMISTRY IS NOT THERE WITH THE NEW STUDENTS THAT WANT THE 3 POSITIONS.
SHARMON | Oct 2, 2007 7:18:19 PM | #I agree. I miss Foreman Cameron and Chase.
| Oct 2, 2007 9:14:56 PM | #The newbies give the show a welcome reinvention and I must say, it is as invigorating as ever. I still miss the old crew and hope they return to that hospital soon, if not at least on our screens. However, creatively, I'm liking this season better than the start of last season. Ah, hell....I like 'em all.
CL | Oct 2, 2007 9:29:09 PM | #Halfway through the first episode with Penn in it now -- pretty good.
Bobby Crosby | Oct 3, 2007 1:40:51 AM | #They'll probably all come back. Afterall, Cameron and Chase have already returned to the hospital. But I'll be happy if they don't come back until at least next season: I'll be happy watching the newbies.
Evan West | Oct 3, 2007 7:53:04 AM | #I really hope Kal Penn stays on the show, he's an amazing actor. From his on-screen presence, it seems that he built his character around a concept of the role scriptwriters wanted him to play (very Penn-like). I love how he was fired and got himself rehired (by suggesting to get the patient drunk), it kept me interested in #6(or 9). He portrays qualities like shamelessness and a slightly less blatant disregard for the rules (the alcohol and setting the patient on fire), which liken him to House. Although he isn't spilling the beans in this email interview, I really hope he stays on.
So, did House imagine Forman at the hospital? Or is he going to return as well?
Meghna Parikh | Oct 3, 2007 12:21:30 PM | #I am LOVING the new season of HOUSE!! So much comedy is a welcomed change after the Tritter arc of last season.
LOVE all the scenes with House, Wilson and Cuddy.
Cam and Jesse look GREAT!
Hugh Laurie is AMAZING!!
The writing is superb!!
What else could you want!?
5 stars all the way!
I think the new cast will be just the shot the show needs. It was getting a "sameness" that I was worried about. I think from what I've read, that the three in his original team will still be on the show, just in a different relationship to House. It makes a difference already to have them not his subordinates. Cameron is much feistier! I've read that next week we see Foreman at his new hospital, behaving more like House than he would have expected. Sounds fun!
JennyK | Oct 4, 2007 10:21:51 AM | #dudes, are u kidding me? its freakin Kumar...how can you not be siked for this. House was my favorite show before this new addition and now i'm even more excited. House is going to be even more funny and entertaining now that Kal Penn has a staring role!
A Fan | Oct 4, 2007 12:26:27 PM | #i can't comment on the new season yet.i say give it a chance for a few episodes.after all,change is something you have to get used to.i like the ''old'' guys but these ''new'' guys seen all right,too.kt
kim tell | Oct 4, 2007 4:09:41 PM | ##6/9 setting the patient on fire was one of the highlights of the episode - that was completely a House move. I hope Penn sticks around, he's very good.
I loved Foreman, Chase and Cameron, but I was starting to find their endless pissing matches with House to get a little stale. So I heartily welcome the newbies.
Mary | Oct 5, 2007 5:26:13 AM | #Very cool. Thanks for getting this to us!
dre | Oct 29, 2007 9:26:45 AM | #
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