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Show Notes for Boston Illegal Radio
A Conversation with David Dean Bottrell aka Lincoln Meyer
Episodes 3x2 - 3x9, September, 2006 - November, 2007
Host Dana Greenlee
Boston Legal Podcast
Click to listen to our conversation with
David Dean Bottrell (Lincoln
Meyer),
season three's trial witness, suspect, serial whacker, singing
kidnapper.
mp3 download [68 min; 27 mb]
Highlights include:
- the source of David's "Lincoln" voice
- his very unusual audition story
- Lincolns back story
- the last minute scene in "Trick or Treat" that DEK wrote to be added
in - that turned out to be one of David Bottrell's favorite scenes
- filming the funny police line-up - and its surprise 'extra'
- Alan Shore's malevolent stare toward Lincoln Meyer - that went nowhere
- his impressions of the other cast members
- Julie Bowen tells David a secret
- Singing the Chipmunks song
- filming the stunts
- the long night of repeatedly being run through by an arrow
- deleted scenes
- new project as screenwriter/director adapting the book "How to Cook
Your Daughter: A Memoir" by Jessica Hendra
Intro
Sound bite-1: Lincoln Meyer (on TV):27 She
was just the most giving person—a marvelous judge, and an ideal
neighbor. Why, it’s absolutely heartbreaking, what happened. I know I’ll
certainly remember her fondly, as I’m sure others will, too. The
neighborhood won’t be the same without her. It’s tragic, what happened.
Really. Tragic.
Denise Bauer: All right. That guy is creepy.
Gracie Jane (on TV): That was the next-door neighbor, Lincoln Meyer.
Deconstructing Lincoln
1. Tell about the experience of casting for Lincoln. Did you audition?
2. Did you know from the get-go that you'd endure eight episodes? Did
you wait each week for a new script to see what Lincoln was up to - or
were you clued in on the arc?
3. The original sides for Lincoln Meyer gave the briefest of direction:
"Effeminate, reminds one of Truman Capote."
4. In figuring out the character, Lincoln appears to be a contradiction:
SB-2: 3x2 New Kids on the Block 23
Jeffrey Coho: Do you know why she got a restraining order against
you?
Lincoln Meyer: Oh, that was the husband’s idea. I think he felt
threatened by.. y’know.
Jeffrey Coho: What?
Lincoln Meyer: The infatuation. She was drawn to me. Nothing was ever
consummated of course. I’m deeply Christian.
Denise Bauer: Judge Cooke was infatuated with you?
Lincoln Meyer: It’s not something I’m comfortable talking about.
5. Lincoln’s an effeminately infatuated peeping Christian ("She was
biblical with Scott Little"). Is this what he believes of himself or is
it his portrait to the world. What do you imagine was Lincolns back
story that made him who he is?
6. Your arc saw Lincoln as a trial witness, a Plan B suspect, his own
countersuit against CP&S, serial whacker, right through to a nefarious
kidnaper who sings. Here's an impossible question: Pick your favorite
episode or scene.
7. I’d like to take you through some of Lincoln’s signature lines -
reveals the many faces of Lincoln. He certainly wasn't one-note. (Angry,
Smug, Pensive, Sinister, Creepy) Do you remember consciously working on,
and how you brought out, his emotional range?
Peepy SB: 3x2 New Kids on the Block
SB-3 "Through the window. I’m a peepy. Women sometimes like having a
peepy."
Later -
SB-4: 3x07-TrickOrTreat :47
Lincoln Meyer: Well. He implied I was a pedophile. A freak who should be
registered as a sex offender when I’ve committed no such offense! And
even if I had, which I most certainly have not, to suggest that I’m a
killer! A murderer? That Gracie Jane woman reported it in front of
millions of people and I was damaged.
Judge Gilbert Potts: What about this Peeping Tom crap?
Lincoln Meyer: I am an open and notorious Peepy. Why, when I would send
her flowers I would write, “With love, from your little Peepy.” And she
liked having a Peepy. And even if she didn’t, it doesn’t give these
lawyer people a right to infer that I’m a killer! I mean, look at me,
Judge! I’m damaged.
8. A point of intense speculation within the BL fan community came from a
scene with Lincoln, Shirley, Brad and Alan. At the end of the scene, you
and James Spader stared at each other intensely. What were you both
trying to convey? We all thought it was foreshadowing of some greater
confrontation.
SB-11: 3x07-TrickOrTreat :25
Shirley Schmidt: Great. And who’s representing this – charming man.
Lincoln Meyer: That’s the most fun part of all. I’m representing myself,
Shirley. Like Gideon. I hope you’ll all join me for Judge Hooper’s
deposition; refreshments will of course be served. Oh, it’s all too
delicious for words, don’t you think? Alan gets a good long look at
Lincoln as Lincoln talks to the receptionist. I’ve got a caterer coming
in twenty minutes and I want the conference room clean, and I mean
clean.
Sinister Lincoln. After having taken a liking to
Shirley, he tries this unique technique of asking her out.
21. SB-12: 3x8 Lincoln :1:18
Lincoln Meyer: That’s little comfort. What if someone else were to turn
up dead? Could I persuade you to get a bite with me, Shirley?
Shirley Schmidt: You could not.
Lincoln Meyer: Would it help if I had a pistol. Oh, dear, I bet if this
were a movie we’d have one of those ominous chords play right about now.
(An ominous chord plays.)
Shirley Schmidt: What are you doin’, Lincoln?
Lincoln Meyer: What you’re goin’ to do is walk out of here with me,
calmly and without incident. You and I need to get on with our special
friendship, Shirley Schmidt.
9. Talk to us about working with Candice Bergen and rest of cast.
10. You're a writer - and your eight episodes were all written by David
E. Kelley. I'm curious about your thoughts on working with the words of
one of the trinity of television writers.
11. You were directed by exec producer Bill D'Elia twice as well as the
cream of the regular crop of BL directors. How does doing your job as
Lincoln vary from director to director? Any interesting guidance given
to you by a director that you can share?
12. Time to address the singing. Lincoln is in his basement, his 'Little
Waco', strumming a ukulele, serenading a bound and gagged Shirley
Schmidt.
SB-13: 3x9-On the Ledge :15
Christmas, Christmas time is near,
Time for toys and time for cheer.
We’ve been good but we can’t last.
Hurry, Christmas, hurry fast.
And a little later: 22
SB-14 Want a plane that loops the loop,
Me, I want a hula-hoop,
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please, Christmas, don’t be late!
What twisted mind decided Lincoln was a fan of the Chipmunks? Did you
sing 'live' in the scene or lip sync to something you pre-recorded? Did
you play the ukulele?
12. "On the Ledge" brought a new dimension into your acting - stunts and
blood. Shirley head butted Lincoln. Tell us about choreographing that
scene with the fabulous Candice Bergen.
13. In your final scene - and for our final sound bite - the SWAT team
breaks the door in and triggers Lincolns spring bow, letting fly an
arrow which goes through his body, felling him. Thankfully, not
lethally. Let's listen in while Lincoln is being wheeled out on a
gurney.
SB-15: 3x9-On the Ledge :17
Paul Lewiston: There she is!
Shirley Schmidt: Before you all start hugging me, did any of you have
the presence of mind to bring vodka?
Lincoln: A little antiseptic. A Band-Aid. It’s just a flesh wound.
Of course, I can't resist playing the sound bite that leaps to mind from
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail":
SB-16: 06 King Arthur: Look, you stupid
Bastard. You've got no arms left. Black Knight: It's just a flesh wound.
14. Tell us about your film "Available Men." won twelve “Best Short Film”
awards since its world premiere in March 2006 at the HBO US Comedy Arts
Festival. It was released on DVD in January 2007.
15. Many Boston Legal fans have called yours an Emmy-winning
performance. Now that the television academy just changed their rules
last month regarding no ep limit for 'Outstanding Guest Star Emmy'
nominations, will your run of Lincoln be submitted?
DEK guest actors won in 9 out of last 10 years: Christian Clemenson won
in that category in 2006, for TP, William Shatner & Sharon Stone in
2004, Alfre Woodard (2003), Charles S. Dutton (2002), Michael Emerson/Hinks
(similar character to Lincoln) (2001), James Whitmore & Beah Richards
(2000), Edward Herrmann (1999). John Larroquette (1998)
16. Any current writing projects you can talk about?
END MUSIC: - "Christmas Don't Be Late" | sung by David Dean Bottrell
~ FIN ~
David Dean Bottrell (Lincoln Meyer) wrote and directed this
award-winning short film. Why not order it!
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