TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
Scott Foley Dodges Bullets, But Not Our Questions
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Oct. 12 -- The now defunct WB network was nice to Scott Foley. He got his first TV role playing all-American high school quarterback Cliff Elliot on a few episodes of 'Dawson's Creek.' That role led to his big break as resident advisor Noel Crane on the college drama 'Felicity,' which lasted four seasons.
Fast forward a few years later, and the WB is gone, but nice guy Foley is still standing.
Now he's holding a gun.
Foley plays sharpshooter Ranger Bob Brown on the 'The Unit,' which airs Tuesdays at 9PM on CBS. The series, now in its second season, follows the members of a covert Special Forces unit and their families back on the homefront. The masterminds behind this action drama are Shawn Ryan, the creator of 'The Shield,' and noted playwright and screenwriter David Mamet ('Glengarry Glen Ross'). Season one is now available on DVD and includes commentary on the episode 'SERE' and an "Inside Delta Force" featurette.
In an exclusive interview, Foley chatted with AOL Television editor Sean Doorly about his hair, being Monk for a day, keeping both eyes open and what he admires about his character on 'The Unit.'
What do you think sets 'The Unit' apart from other shows on TV?
One of the things that set it apart is the female storyline. The show is so great and so realistic when it comes to all the Delta force stuff. But I really think what sets us apart is, while we are out saving the world, the wives are at home dealing with things that are a little more relatable to the normal person -- without a husband.
Do you have a favorite episode from season one?
My favorite episode of season one was the episode 'SERE' (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape). They really put me through the ringer. It was an episode about a training regimen that all Delta Force and Special Forces go through and, although it was a little exaggerated for television, it was a fairly realistic portrayal.
So what's in store for the second season and your character?
Season one was about Bob Brown being the new guy and if he was going to fit in. The guys seem to have taken to him very well and he is now a cohesive part of this group. That gives things a different twist. The idea was for the audience to see into the lives of these characters through Bob Brown, and I think they got a great glimpse of this military life. But now they can actually follow along and live it with him.
He's so different from me. Being an actor, I go from job to job. That's what I do. I'm not great
with routine, and Bob is just the opposite. All his life he's wanted to do one thing. Like me, he followed his dream and has been successful at it, but unlike what I do, he is living that every day and has made a huge sacrifice for not only himself and his family, but for his country. And there's something so rewarding about that, something so watchable. When someone has a belief in something that strong, I want to pay attention.
If you could, would you change anything about your character?
I do not know -- his hair. (Laughs). I would like to see him at home more. I know a big part of the show is them being gone all the time and their wives dealing with them being gone, but I would like to see more scenes with his wife and how his absence really affects their relationship. I would like to explore that more because I am not in the Army. I am not putting my life on the line everyday.
How do you prepare physically and mentally for this role?
Unlike a lot of the stuff I have done, this is a much more physically demanding job. I have a trainer and I work out with him four or five days a week. We recently talked the network and the studio into getting us a workout trailer on the set. Because we are there so long, we are able to work out in between scenes, which is great. I do about 45 minutes of cardio everyday, whether running or on the elliptical machine. When I started the first season, I was in New York doing a play, and I had a trainer who got a hold of the Special Forces Ranger handbook and made sure I could do everything that was required of the people that were doing this job.
Such as?
Running two miles in under 13 minutes and doing 100 sit-ups in under a minute and a half. Just crazy stuff.
And you were able to or did you have to work up to it?
Oh, I had to work up to it. Running two miles, two six-and-a-half minute miles, is not an easy thing. I did it once, and I will never do it again.
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