Paul and David on Prodigy

Paul Gross and David Marciano on Prodigy

courtesy of Angela Rivieccio Is it the beginning of a trend to film in Toronto? Yes. As long as the dollar stays strong, primetime network shows will continue to be shot in Canada. U.S. companies save up to $.30 on the dollar, and when a show costs a milloin dollars per episode, you're talking a savings of $300,000! Yahoo! Question #8 a)Who came up with the premise for DS; b)Are there Mounties in major American cities that get into such situations that Fraser portrays? As to who came up with the idea for the show, I'm not exactly sure, but I believe it was former CBS president Jeff Saganski and Alliance Communications president along with Robert Lantos, who collaborated on the idea. To answer your second question, I don't believe so. As you know, Due South is a fictitious show with fictitious characters. Though in this universe anything can happen and sometimes will. Life imitates art (or is it art imitates life?) Whichever, I quess it's possible. Question #9 a)Are you anything like your character when it comes to being funny?; b)Do you plan to make a comedy show in the future? Thanks so much for your questions. Your note made me feel great. As to my being funny like my character, yes, I've been known to make a few people laugh now and again. And yes, yes, yes I'd love to make a 1/2 hour comedy. Of course it probably won't be until this show is over and hopefully that won't be for a long time."
Paul Gross answered questions posted to him on Prodigy this past weekend, and since no one has posted his answers yet, I'll go ahead and do so. I didn't copy the questions, because that would make the file too large to post here, but from Paul's answers you should be able to figure out what the questions were. Subject: ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:34 PM CF: Thanks for your interest in the show. With your support, hopefully we'll return for another season! Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:34 PM Phillip: 1. We film largely in Toronto but from time to time send a skeleton crew to Chicago for atmosphere shots. 2. They just asked me to play Fraser, quite out of the blue -- why remains a mystery to me. 3. One dog -- a brilliant animal named Lincoln -- plays Diefenbaker. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:34 PM Darlene: Thanks for your interest in Due South and yes, I would like to return to Stratford one of these days -- hopefully sooner rather than later. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:36 PM Sue, Originally I'm from Alberta, but my father was in the Canadian Army and we were stationed at Gagetown with the Dragoons. New Brunswick remains one of my favorite places I've lived. By the way, the girl's name was Bonnie MacMillan. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:43 PM Billy, I'm not able to do a lot of appearances south of the border because of the ludicrous shooting schedule, but when time does permit, yes, I do feel somewhat ambassadorial. Whether this is good or bad for our country's image abroad remains to be seen. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:43 PM Pam: I started writing as a ploy to pass time when I was working as a waiter in a restaurant that never had any patrons. It was a hobby that ran out of control, but I've found over the years that it's a fantastic antidote to the overpopulated nature of film sets. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:43 PM Melissa, Thanks for your interest in the show and to answer your question I've been married for seven years. Good luck with the dishes. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:49 PM Diane, Unfortunately I don't have a fan club, but maybe Nancy Manoogian at SPI (416) 924-7849 can help you with any questions you may have. Thanks for your interest in the show -- it's greatly appreciated. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:49 PM Evon, Thanks for your interest in Due South. To answer your question, I'm thirtysomething. Close enough? Keep watching. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 12:49 PM Kenneth, We don't know yet if the show will be on for another season, but with support from people like you, we ought to be. As for Leslie's return, if we do go for another year I'm pretty confident he'll be back -- larger than life and twice as natural. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:00 PM David, The music is composed by Jack Lenz, Jon McCarthy and Jay Semko (formerly with the Northern Pikes). But we also use existing tunes once in a while -- among them have been the Crash Test Dummies. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:00 PM Kate, Thanks for your interest in the show. To answer your questions, in the pilot episode my father (with whom I'd enjoyed a strong relationship in spite of being separated for stretches of time) was killed. The trail of the murder led me to Chicago and it turned out to have been engineered by an unscrupulous RCMP officer. Fraser's great regret is that he didn't get to spend more time with his father. As to next season's prospects, it all rests in the hands of CBS and any letter to them regarding your support for the show would help immensely. Thanks again. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:02 PM Erica, Thanks for your kind words and I hope you continue to enjoy the show. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:02 PM Jennifer, Thanks for your interest in the show. Working with animals is not unlike working with humans -- exicting, frustrating, rewarding, enraging. The only difference is you have to feed them. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:08 PM Matt, Peter is a good friend and, as you say, a terrific actor and I'd work with him again at the drop of his Dexter hat. He's a great guy and I'll pass on the news about the fan club in Manchester. I guess it wasn't clear, but we could skate on the streets at the end of that episode because there had been some freezing rain and the roads were covered in ice. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:12 PM Stephanie, I'm originally from Alberta, Canada and my parents still have a ranch there. As for the executives at CBS, you should E-Mail them and tell them to keep Due South on the air -- your support for the show would not go unnoticed. Thanks for your interest. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:16 PM Christopher, Thanks for dropping in. I've been in a number of things in Canada (Chasing Rainbows, Getting Married in Buffalo Jump, Cold Comfort, Buried on Sunday, Whale Music) and in the U.S. (Tales of the City, Aspen Extreme). Being from Canada, I've skated most of my life so in that particular episode it was me skating. Hope you keep watching. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:21 PM John, Thanks for your interest. We film most of the show in Toronto, Canada so the winter is really the winter. I'm not sure if a Mountie can really track a suspect by tasting fingernail clippings, but I wouldn't put it past them. Keep watching and with your support we should be back for another season. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:25 PM Deb, Thanks for your interest in Due South. As to your questions, no, I'm not planning to do any writing for it. We work such a grueling schedule that I really wouldn't have any time to do a reasonable job so I'll just leave it up to the writing team. As far as I know, we are planning to come out with a CD that is a compliation of the music from various episodes and perhaps even will include a song of mine. I'm not sure why the wolf was replaced from the pilot -- it might have had to do with monetary reasons, but I'm not sure. In any case I've grown quite fond of the one we have now and I'm glad your cats like him. Thanks again and I hope we'll be >> back for a second season. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:31 PM Ann, Thanks for your interest in Due South. Working on the show is incredibly tiring -- we usually work about 70-80 hours a week, but still, all in all, it's an awful lot of fun to do. Diefenbaker is a goof, but a lovable goof, so it's fun working with him. I hope you keep watching and enjoying. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:31 PM Rebecca, Ahh, Tales of the City and the Republican Congress. There's a fraught subject. I honestly don't know what's happening with a sequel. I know we would all like to make it and there is definitely an audience for it, but it's all a question of financing, which seems to have become increasingly political. In my opinion, Tales was an eloquent essay on tolerance, a subject that seems to me to be apolitical and something we could all benefit from having a little more of. Hopefully others will agree and we'll get to make the sequel in the not too distant future. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:37 PM Fran, There's really very little difference between American/Canadian and Canadian-only productions, except money. The function of shooting a show, acting in front of the camera etc. really doesn't change. The only big difference in doing Due South is that it's on prime time in the US and the pressure on the show to perform in the ratings is very intense, as failure generally means cancellation. Thanks for your congratulations on the Gemini and I've passed on your compliments to the rest of the crew. I also want to thank you for your support of the show -- it is very much appreciated. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:42 PM Paul, Diefenbaker was Paul Haggis' idea, and no, I don't think the Americans get it -- so let's just keep it our secret. Thanks for your interest in the show. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:45 PM Lynn, As of yet the show hasn't been renewed for another season so I imgaine if you let CBS know of your interest it should have an effect. It took us about 3 nights to shoot the street skating sequence and no, it's not a common occurence even in Toronto. Additionally, the weather was against us, so we were forced to ice them, re-ice them and ice them again. Hockey is the national sport of Canada and it's rare to find a Canadian kid that hasn't played the game. Thanks for your support of the show -- it is very much appreciated and hopefully we'll be back for another season. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:50 PM Sam, Most of my work has been in Canada (Buried on Sunday, Whale Music, Chasing Rainbows, Getting Married in Buffalo Jump, Cold Comfort). In the US I've done Tales of the City and Aspen Extreme. I suppose if you wrote to the production office at 940 Landsdowne, Bldg #15, Toronto, Ontario, M6H 3Z4, they could send you some promo pictures. Thanks for your interest and I hope you keep watching. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:50 PM Gina, It may sound corny, but I've enjoyed working with all the guest actors we've had on the show. If I was forced to pick a favorite, it would probably be Leslie Nielsen and I hope we get to do it again sometime soon. Thanks for your interest in the show and keep watching. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:54 PM Michael, Did you send me a letter at one time? Your name seems awfully familiar. As for Tales of the City, I honestly don't know whether or not we'll be shooting a sequel. I would dearly love to but the whole issue seems to have become a political football, which is a great, great shame. But here's hoping. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:54 PM Hyeonjoo, I don't know what is going to happen with the sequel to Tales of the City, but like you, I'm hoping we get to make it. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:54 PM Carol, I'm glad you like the show and yes, I starred in Aspen Extreme. Keep watching. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:55 PM Heather, You better believe that suit is hot! Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:00 PM Pamela, Do I like being a heartthrob? It's hard for me to think of myself that way, so in answer to your other question I suppose I am somewhat like Fraser. And finally, no, Diefenbaker isn't actually a wolf, he's a Siberian Husky. It may not be authentic, but it's a little safer to work with. Please let the honchos at CBS know of your support for the show -- it will help and kind words are appreciated by everyone here. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:30 PM Patricia, Here you go: I was born north of Great Slave, 1898 And I rode near all my life on a ranch near Devil's Gate And I've seen this world about me bend and flip and change Hey, it feels like rain -- that's a thunder cloud We'll, I've been called a coward but I've seen two world wars And I lost my son Virgil, my Korean reward And my Lucy died last summer -- you ask me if I cry? Hell, I'll show you tears, they're all over this ground They're falling from these blue Alberta skies But I'm going to ride forever You can't keep horsemen in a cage Should the angels call well it's only then I might pull the reins They tell me I'm an old man, they tell me I am blind They took my driver's license, this house ain't far behind I say jump back all you big suits 'cause you've got something wrong I ain't gone, no I ain't gone I am still breathing and I still have my pride And I have my memories, your life it never dies Like the wind that blows in thunder Or the stallion on the fly I got it all And I'm standing tall underneath these blue Alberta skies And I'm going to ride forever You can't keep horsemen in a cage Should the angels call well it's only then I might pull in the reins So I say to all you old men don't let yourself get broke If you think the world's gone crazy and it's Scratching at your throat It's time to dust off that old saddle, get it on a horse Kick up your spurs, we're gonna run like stink We're gonna tear across these blue Alberta skies We're gonna ride forever You can't keep horsemen in a cage Should the angels call It's only then I might pull in the reins Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:32 PM The Madden Family, Thanks for your interest in the show. I'll try to get David to smile a little bit more and as for singing on the show...who knows? Maybe. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:32 PM EMP: I've got two kids. Sexiest on TV? Wow. Thanks. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:41 PM Chris, Lee, and Sam, I don't know if I'll have an album, but we're putting together a CD of the show and I'll put a song on the CD. The pilot will probably air again sometime this summer. Tell Samantha that Dief is single, Canadian and most importantly for her, male. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:41 PM Kim, Thanks for your congratulations and interest in Due South. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Your questions: We would like to take Fraser back up north but the logistics of shooting outside of Toronto have been too overwhelming this season. We're planning to do it next year, maybe as a season opener. David and I get along very well and I said hello to him for you. I'd like to come to Vancouver but we're pretty well stuck in Toronto I think. I don't know what happened to the pilot dog -- perhaps he wanted too much moeny. I've passed on your comments to the rest of the crew and they thank you. Paul Subject: ASK PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 1:24 PM Audra Lea, Thanks for your interest in Due South and to answer your questions, you can write to CBS. Any letter of support would be very much appreciated by us all. You might be able to get a photo by writing to the production office at 940 Landsdowne, Bldg #15, Toronto. Ontario, M6H 3Z4. And yes, David Marciano (who plays "Ray") and I are good friends off camera as well. Thanks again for your mail and I hope you keep watching. Paul Subject: FILMING? STOP BY!! From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:41 PM Mavis, Sorry I didn't see you, but next time we're down there I'll make sure to stop by. Paul Subject: WHAT'S IT LIKE From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 3:04 PM Everett, What's it like being an actor? Very, very cool. Paul Subject: WELCOME PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:49 PM GloriJean and Tundra, Thanks for the interest in the show. Acting is acting no matter what the medium and I enjoy it all. I gave Dief a biscuit for you. Paul Subject: WELCOME PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 2:53 PM Jennifer, Thanks for your interest and great support of the show. Although I don't think at first the RCMP was particularly thrilled with the show, they seem to be supportive of it now and we have a liaison with them who helps us on technical matters. They're a great bunch of people. As far as writing on the show goes I literally don't have the time. We work on average a 70-80 hour work week and at the end of that kind of stretch I'm not too excited by the prospect of sitting down and writing for it. I have been asked to the Star Trek convention and if I can make it I'll be there. We did very well at the Gemini Awards (which I co-hosted). I think we won for best show and best actor and best writing -- that kind of thing. It was a great night for all of us. Thanks again for your interest and I hope we talk in the future. Paul Subject: WELCOME PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 3:00 PM Kris, Thanks for your interest. Yes, David and I do crack up, although it's usually me because I think he's hilarious. My favorite episode? It's strange you know, because each one we've done has something in it that I really cherish, so picking out a favorite is kind of difficult. If I had to, though, I think it would be the Gift of the Wheelman (the Christmas episode). Thanks again for your mail and I hope you keep watching. Paul Subject: WELCOME PAUL GROSS From: NORT99C PAUL GROSS Time: 3:00 PM Roger, Thanks for your mail re: Due South. I agree with you about the music on Due South and to answer your question, no, I have no input on it. It's the work of Jay Semko, Jon McCarthy and Jack Lenz who do a terrific job. My personal interests in music range pretty well to anything, although lately I've been interested in old C&W -- H. Williams, Patsy and that ilk. As for playing Larry Hagman I can honestly say that hasn't been one of my long range career goals. Thanks again for your interest in the show. Paul
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