Exclusive: Michael Cudlitz Talks Southland, Cancellation, “Save Southland”, and Comeback on TNT

By: Adam Wright

Last year, Southland debuted on NBC. It was a raw look at the people of the LAPD.

Season two will originally set to debut back on NBC, but the network cancelled it. But thanks to the support of fans, and a network with the confidence in the show, Southland was saved.

Southland star Michael Cudlitz enjoys staying  in touch with his fans on Twitter (follow Michael on Twitter). He also took time off his busy schedule to have a chat with TVDoneWright.com where he talks about John Cooper, Southland, and much more.

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Adam: You’ve work on a lot of shows, including Lost, Standoff, and Life, just to name a few. When you first read the script for Southland, did you feel this show would be different? How so?

Michael: I had a feeling that the show would be special because of the people involved. John Wells, Chris Chulack and Ann Biderman all are amazing and set a very high bar. I knew it would be character driven and the way the pilot was set up I had a feeling we were going to learn about these people in a very unique way. Also the fact that Chulack was one of the driving forces in “Third Watch” was another check in the plus column.

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Adam: With E.R. ending its long run on NBC, Southland was given its timeslot of Thursday nights at 10 pm ET. How did you feel about that move, as the “new guys” coming in?

Michael: The fact that we were taking ER’s time slot never really bothered me. Even though we were the new guys I felt the show was very different than ER and would stand on it’s own. I was concerned that the audience would not be the same as the ER audience. I think ER was a little on the soapier side because of it’s subject matter. I feel our show is darker and you don’t always get that “feel good” ending.  I don’t mean to imply that ER leaned towards feel good stories. I just think generally speaking Southland is a darker/harder show.

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Michael Cudlitz as John Cooper

Adam: When I first watched the pilot, I was amazed by how real and raw the show looked. Authenticity is obviously an important part of the show. Tell me about that.

Michael: One of the most important elements of the show is the “proper execution” of police work. Audiences are savvier these days and we have all seen enough episodes of “Cops” to know when something is being done wrong. That is not to say that everything we do is done “right” we just try to make it as “right” as possible. We are after all a TV show and some things are done because we do not have a choice because of the way we are telling the story. We basically never do paper work. If we did we would have about five episodes of paper work dealing with the pilot alone. The idea is to tell stories from the cops point of view not the victims. The technical advisor is the most important tool we have on set. When in doubt we go to him.

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Adam: Did you get to spend time with the LAPD to prepare for Southland?

Michael: I spent a lot of time with the LAPD. I loved doing the ride-alongs. I did about 8-10 in all different divisions. Every division has a different feel but all the officers were fantastic and really took the time to make sure we understood how things worked on the streets. They are a very proud and humble group of men and women. Of course that is not what you hear about in the news.

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Michael Cudlitz and Ben McKenzie

Adam: Your character John Cooper takes Office Ben Sherman (Ben McKenzie) under his wing. Tell me about the dynamic between the two.

Michael: I think the dynamic changes as the show goes on. Since we will be airing from the beginning I will leave that to the audience to decide. I will say that in the beginning I am hard on him. I don’t like him or what, “I think he represents”. Most of that will change over the course of the show. Many twists and turns. We are more similar than different.

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Adam: Tell me I’m not crazy to think there’s a “Training Day” feel to it. Let’s hope Cooper doesn’t go “Denzel” on everyone!

Michael: I take that as a compliment. I loved that movie.

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Adam: You and Ben McKenzie seen to have great chemistry together. What’s it like working with him?

Michael: Easy! We are on the same page about most things as they pertain to the show. We each bring a different energy to the work. We also have a lot of fun and that is more important to me than anything. We laugh a lot.

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Adam: Now I have to ask this, you were on Beverly Hills 90210 and Ben was on The O.C. Is there some ribbing going on about that? (laughs)

Michael: None. I don’t think it has ever come up.

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Adam: Beverly Hills 90210 vs. The O.C., who wins?

Michael: Never saw the OC. but I think Ben McKenzie is a hell of an actor so I’m sure it was good. 90210 had a couple amazing and groundbreaking years. I think there is always room for the “next great” teen drama. I’m sure every show has its own unique voice. I’m probably too old to have an opinion anyway. (laughs)

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Adam: Back to the show, John Cooper is far from the one-dimensional hard-ass we see.  We’re slowly learning more about him after each episode, adding to the “realness” of the show. Tell me intrigued you to this character.

Michael: What intrigued me most about John Cooper was the same thing that intrigued me about all the characters in the show. Ann has a way of creating these amazing people that you get to see glimpses of. Nothing is as it seems. We have public lives and we have private lives and there is no need to tip your hand in the beginning. You will learn about these people over time and over time you will learn how and why they tick. No one is who you think they are.

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Michael Cudlitz as John Cooper

Adam: We saw that he’s battling demons of his own with his prescription drug-addiction. I think it was great to see that officers are human too. They have their skeletons and problems. You think it added to the character?

Michael: Absolutely. John has a lot of demons and I’m loving it! The demons are what make each of us tick.

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Adam:  Season 1 only lasted 7 episodes, so no doubt we have a lot more to learn about Cooper.

Michael: Let’s hope so…

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Adam: Season 1 ended with a shocking cliff-hanger that left fans hanging, with the life of one officer. Before reading the script for Season 2, did you know how it would end up? Or were you left in the dark with the rest of us?

Michael: This is one hour drama. We never really know anything. The characters evolve every week. We are surprised every week when the new scripts arrive.

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Adam: Season 2 was slated to premiere on Friday nights with Law & Order on NBC. When I first heard, my jaw-dropped. What were your first thoughts about the move when you found out?

Michael: Since the 10pm. slot was being taken by The Jay Leno Show, we knew we would be moving. I knew the show was good so I did not really care where they put us. My thought was “We will be fine wherever we end up as long as we end up on the schedule.” I guess I was wrong…

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Adam:  Did you feel like the network buried it, along with Law & Order on Fridays?

Michael: I don’t think they had a clue what to do with it.

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Adam: Shortly before it was originally supposed to premiere, NBC delayed it until late October 23rd, stating it would give them more time to promote the show. Did you feel that was the case? What did you make of the delay?

Michael: We were excited about the delay NBC told us they had no money to promote the show. The only shows getting money were “NEW” shows. Since we had been on air last season we were not considered new. We were budgeted zero dollars for Fall launch. Plus with all the other shows launching in Sept, it seemed like it would benefit the show if it aired later in the season when a lot of the noise had settled. In retrospect it was an early signal.

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Adam: October 8th, 2009, NBC announces they cancelled Southland before premiering its 2nd Season. How did you hear the news, and what was your first thoughts/reaction?

Michael: The answer to that is covered in the EW article that came out after the cancellation.

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Adam:  It was stated that NBC thought the show was too “dark and gritty” for the 9 pm ET timeslot. Did you believe that was the reason the show was let go?

Michael: Nope!

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Adam: There’s a lot of rumors online about what exactly was deemed too “dark and gritty” during the screening of Season 2 by the network. Do you have any guesses on what material the network thought crossed a line?

Michael: That is a mystery that will never be answered. I think that answer served the network at the time (or they felt it did). We will never know all the facts.

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Adam: The news of the cancellation spread like a wildfire online, especially on Twitter. How did it feel to see the fans reaction?

Michael: All I can say about that is it was fucking awesome! I was humbled to see so many people so upset about the news. Do not piss off the fan base on a show. The ratings were not huge when we finished up last year but still several million people all yelling at once will definitely get you noticed.

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Follow Michael on his Twitter

Adam: You were very vocal to say the least on Twitter also. As a fan, I appreciated hearing honest opinion from someone involved with Southland. Did you get in trouble from anyone about speaking out?

Michael: I did not get in any trouble. I didn’t really “Speak Out”. I just answered some questions about the cancellation in a very honest way. I felt the way the cancellation was handled was awful

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Adam:  Now that you’re no longer with NBC, give me a one phrase comment about the network’s recent decisions.

Michael: I have no comment. I’m sure that will piss some of you off but I really don’t

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Adam:  The “Save Southland” campaign was quickly launched. And the fans really responded. How does it feel to know you have that much support from all over?

Michael: I was humbled!

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Adam: You show your appreciation with your fans by keeping contact via Twitter. How important is it as an actor, or crew member of a show, to keep in touch with fans?

Michael: Twitter was an experiment for me that turned out very well. I like that fans of the show have limited access to me. I can talk about Southland and post pictures from set and sometimes answer questions that are very important to the viewers. I think people form a connection with certain characters on shows and the fact that they can connect with the actor/character is a pretty cool thing. I mean imagine growing up being able to send a message to John Wayne and actually have him answer your question. Now I am no John Wayne but I understand that Kevin Spacey is also on Twitter. I think you get my point. It’s pretty frigging cool. I have also connected with some people that I would consider friends. I know that sounds strange but I can’t help it. I feel that way.

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Adam:  November 2nd, 2009, Southland was saved! When and how did you first find out about TNT picking it up?

Michael: I actually found out the night before. I read an article in the NY Times and Steve Koonin was quoted as saying that TNT was picking it up. We all got phone calls the next morning from John Wells and Chris Chulack

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Adam: It was a long negotiation process with the network, were you confident that TNT would pick it up?

Michael: Ha. This is the business that I have chosen and one thing I have learned over the past 20 years is that NOTHING is a sure thing. I had hoped for a new network pick-up but historically those are rare.

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Adam: Southland’s new home is on Cable now. I know when it premiered on NBC, I always thought “This should be on cable!” So do you feel like this move was meant to be?

Michael: I don’t know if it was meant to be but it is a way better fit given the content and the subject matter.

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Adam: TNT will premiere Southland on January 12th, 2010, beginning with

Michael Cudlitz shooting TNT promo

Season 1. Will we see more “edge” from the original episode that wouldn’t have made it on NBC?

Michael: You will have to wait and see.

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Adam: How about those “Bleep” during curse words? (laughs)

Michael: It is my understanding that the “Bleeps” will be removed.

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Adam: Southland got the 10 pm ET timeslot on TNT. Justice you would say?

Michael: I don’t know if it’s justice but it is definitely justified. The show was created to be on at 10pm. I am happy that we have a new home and the proper time slot.

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Adam: The network will air 13 episodes. What can we expect from the 7 episodes we have not seen?

Michael: I have said this before. You can expect some more “Kick Ass” Television. I feel the episodes get better and better. The cast is gelling more and more every episode and the writers are finding their groove as well. We have a large cast and keeping the balance between detectives and Patrol officers is very important.

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Adam: If/When TNT orders additional episodes; will you have more latitude on content?

Michael: I don’t really know. I think we will be able to make the show we all intended to make.

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Adam: What can you tell us about John Cooper in Season 2?

Michael: John will evolve in a very natural way. I think that you will start to understand a little better what makes him tick. Also we will learn a little more about his past and his family life.

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Special thanks to Michael for this exclusive interview. And don’t forget to watch Southland now on TNT on January 12th.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aBqmRfuV8A

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJuqzRR_7TQ

Posted by Adam Wright on December 11, 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry