WilliamMapother.com - Official website of the actor William Mapother

Oh, the (in)Humanity!

Posted on: February 14th, 2010 by wmapother 2 Comments

So, in Honor/Horror of Valentine’s Day, I decided to share with you a few of my own observations and conclusions about dating, romance, and l-o-v-e.

Then, later, I realized that none of you has (yet) done anything to me to deserve receiving such dangerous and potentially pernicious information. Therefore, the kinder, gentler, soberer me has decided to do something more humane: Share instead a few interesting articles on this Topic A.

The first few have to do with why you/we/I/us/them have such trouble with the damn subject.
The next two have to do with what to do about it/them/us.

The NYT’s John Tierney’s very funny Flaw-O-Matic is here.
12 years later, Tierney’s corollary to the Flaw-O-Matic is here.
Tierney discuss studies in re. Flaw-O-Matics here.

Lori Gottlieb’s new book on settling is discussed here.
Gottlieb’s controversial Atlantic article on the subject is here.

May you all find happiness and love. Happy Valentining!

Posted in Random, Recs | 2 Comments »

Dissecting Ethan, er, Goodspeed Dissecting

Posted on: February 10th, 2010 by wmapother 3 Comments

There are just so many problems in the world: traffic, power outages, not enough bacon. Sometimes you just don’t know where to start. Well, while your subsconcious works out your plan of attack, here are some ‘Lost’ recaps to keep your conscious mind distracted and non-interfering:

Washington Post
EW online (crazily detailed!)
E online
TVovermind
The Proper Lounge
Nik at Night

Now go save the world.

Tags: Lost
Posted in Acting Projects, Press | 3 Comments »

What’s Lost is Found (Kind of)

Posted on: February 10th, 2010 by wmapother 1 Comment

So tonight, a bit in advance of what I expected, the entire world — and I mean every single one of us — saw Ethan’s return to ‘Lost.’ And no one — and I mean not a single one of us — has any idea what it means. Except for about eight crazed writers in Burbank, and they’re not talking.

I’ve combined a number of questions I’m asked about the show into this simple Q & A:

Q: Why?

A: I have no idear.

Q: But seriously, why? Why are they hurled through time, and why was there a polar bear, and why is [getting a bit breathless through hyper-ventilating] —

A: Please, take a breath. Say after me, ‘He…has…no…idea-r.”

Q: Okay, a softball: Is it a fun show to work on?

A: Sadly, yes. This episode was a blast. I hadn’t worked with Evie since Season 1 (I think!) and Emilie since Season 2 (or was it 3? Ahhhhh!), and we fell right back into catching up and joking around. The cast, crew and producers have created an obnoxiously friendly set that one never wants to leave. It’s cliched, but it’s felt like a little reunion every time I’ve returned.

Q: Is it difficult to play Ethan, given that we’ve seen several different sides to him?

A: It would be if I or the audience expected it — or him — to make a lick of sense. However, because the less-obsessed among us long ago happily moved into the back seat to enjoy the ride, I can — mostly — simply play Ethan scene to scene without worrying about justifying apparent contradictions. Now, about that ‘mostly’..

Q: Do you know whether or not —

A: I have no id– well, you know. Really. Mostly.

Tags: Lost
Posted in Acting Projects, Interviews and Q&A's, TV | 1 Comment »

Advice to Young Actors

Posted on: February 9th, 2010 by wmapother No Comments

Young actors often ask my advice about lots of subjects — fashion, cooking, gardening, geopolitical meta-awareness. Except for the last one, I’m generally not much help. However, I do usually have a word or two of advice on how to survive the actor’s life. Here’s my answer on the subject from my recent interview in the LA Examiner:

“First, learn how to manage yourself — mentally, emotionally, financially, physically. Socialize to make contacts and keep in touch with them. Take the craft seriously. Learn the history of Hollywood and watch classic films. Make the most of your downtime by developing interests, hobbies, and causes. Cultivate an alternate career / source of income. Make friends outside the entertainment industry.”

It’s not rocket science, but it does require a bit of discipline and faith.

Posted in Acting Projects | No Comments »

Examination: Mapother

Posted on: February 5th, 2010 by wmapother 2 Comments

The Los Angeles Examiner has just published a probing, searing look into the harrowing, horrifying life of an actor in Hollywood. I’m today’s meal of The-Content-Beast-Must-Be-Fed. You can find it here.