Annie Wersching and Mary Lynn Rajskub 24 Season 8 Interview

Annie Wersching and Mary Lynn Rajskub 24 Season 8 Interview

Cast: Elisha Cuthbert, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones, Annie Wersching, Anil Kapoor, Katee Sackoff, Bob Gunton, Freddie Prinze Jr.
Genre: Drama, Action
Rated: MA
Running Time: 17 hours

Time may be running out on 24, one of the most innovative and acclaimed dramas on television, but fans can relive every heart-pounding minute of the show's final season when '24' Season Eight arrives on December 1, 2010 to Blu-ray and DVD from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Additionally on December 1, fans will also have a chance to experience all 8 days of Jack Bauer when '24' The Complete Series arrives in a collectible DVD Tin box set.

'24' The Complete Series is a must-own collectible Tin box set, that includes Seasons 1-8, and bursting with bonus features including deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes footage; a comprehensive retrospective that looks back at the show's unforgettable eight seasons; an alternate ending for the series finale and much more.

In '24' Season Eight, New York City is the backdrop and Emmy Award® winner Kiefer Sutherland is back as rugged counter-terrorist, Jack Bauer. Just when he thought he was leaving the dangerous life behind to be with his daughter and her family, Jack is once again called on by CTU to uncover a Russian extremist plot to assassinate an Islamic leader during peace negotiations with U.S. President Taylor.

Set an unknown amount of time after season 7, season 8 begins and ends at 4:00 PM in New York City. Jack is about to leave for Los Angeles with his daughter, Kim, her husband and her young daughter when he is brought in by CTU to uncover a Russian extremist plot to assassinate Islamic leader Omar Hassan during peace negotiations with U.S. President Taylor. Cole Ortiz (Freddie Prinze Jr.), an ex-Marine who wants to follow in Bauer's footsteps, leads field operations while Agent Renee Walker returns with an agenda of her own.

Fan favorites Elisha Cuthbert, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Cherry Jones, and Annie Wersching are joined by new faces Anil Kapoor, Katee Sackoff, Bob Gunton and Freddie Prinze Jr. for Jack's final, nail-biting 24 hours protecting America's freedom.

Interview with Annie Wersching and Mary Lynn Rajskub

Annie Wersching plays Renee Walker and Mary Lynn Rajskub plays Chloe O'Brian.

Question: So, is there some romance going on this season?

Annie Wersching: Yeah, Renee and Jack definitely had a certain connection last year. Even though they only knew each other for 24 hours, they went through a lot together and saved each other-in a literal way, and others. So they get closer this year. My character is kind of messed up and he has to keep an eye on her. She lost her job, she lost her partner, she lost everything, and she kind of has nothing to lose. So she is a little bit out of control, just doing whatever she wants basically, because it doesn't really matter. What are they going to do? Fire her? And she's undercover with the Russian mob. You know, to help out this one [Chloe].

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Thanks for that.

Question: It must have been fun to be the bad ass.

Annie Wersching: It's very fun. It's really, really fun. She was pretty bad ass last year, even though she was following the rules and obviously had a pretty interesting arc last year that I really loved. So she starts out here... pretty dark.


Question: So, where do we find Chloe in season 8?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I haven't been working and when I get brought back into work at CTU, I am in need of a job and I'm behind because everything has changed. So, that's a hard place for me to be. And that Dana Walsh! She's so nice to me, I just don't care for it.


Question: Are you actually good with computers?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: No, I'm the worst. No, that's not true. I'm not the worst.

Annie Wersching: Kiefer Sutherland is probably the worst. He doesn't have a computer or email or anything.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I have an iPhone. But I get frustrated very quickly when I don't know the most basic things with computers. I've probably, since 1998, been thinking 'I should take a class!' But I just got a job where I pretend to be good at it instead.


Question: How do you like the new set?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: It's awesome. It's very shiny. And there's a big, cool screen that's pretty awesome. And then Mr. Hastings is in his big, glass office, looking down. Which makes so some cool shots.


Question: How does setting the show in New York change things?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: We feel cooler. And grittier. It's got more of a vibe to it. Which is fun for us. It gives it a different feel.

Question:

Annie Wersching: answer

Mary Lynn Rajskub: answer


Question: What is the secret to surviving on 24?

Annie Wersching: Not making out with Jack Bauer. It doesn't usually work out for the ladies.


Question: You shot a gun on the show... Was it fun?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Yeah. I think it was 2 or 3 years ago. It's really fun. Your adrenalin gets going, it's physical, it gets out your body. You feel like you're doing something wrong. I don't really like guns, but it's really fun to do. The handlers gave me a whole new respect for guns because these people have been working with them for 20 years and they have special respect for it that is very different from the average person saying, 'I'm gonna get a gun and put it under my pillow!' That opened my eyes. [To Annie] But I can't imagine doing it like you guys do.

Annie Wersching: Yeah, it's like second nature now. I'm never worried about it.


Question: Had you done anything like that before 24?

Annie Wersching: I had shot some bottles off a log at my friend's farm house. I had one day of training before I started. Sterling, our prop guy, is really good. I went shooting a couple of times with him at the range. This year in between seasons, I went to the FBI academy in Quantico and learned a whole bunch of stuff. I'm not with the FBI this year [on the show], but it was still cool.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Did you have things early on, physically, that you have to do over or practice a lot? Or you just kind of jumped in?
Annie Wersching: I just kind of jumped into it. I was a dancer, so when I had to do fights it just seemed like choreography, basically. No, I had a fight with a huge guy, right away in episode 2 and I was like, 'Yes!'


Question: We hear that the 24 crew feels like a family. What is the atmosphere like on set?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: It is like a family.

Annie Wersching: It's like home. I've only been with them for 2 years, but I already feel so at home.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I almost feel stranger because I don't work every day. So when I get into a groove when I'm working, I feel bad when I have to leave. Because the rest of the crew works everyday, all day. They're great. I think also because I have been around them so long, I have been able to do things with my acting, because I am so used to that atmosphere. That feeling, the comfort level that you have with people.

Annie Wersching: Right. Feeling safe in front of them, feeling like you can experiment and try things and they're not going to laugh at you.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: It's really cool, because at the same time, it's relaxed and casual in between.

Annie Wersching: But it's really professional and everybody wants every teeny little thing to be the best it can possibly be. That comes from Kiefer, for sure.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: It comes from Kiefer and how the show was set up to be. It helps the show to be successful. It's allowed to breathe, and be creative. Like our camera guys-people who come on and guest on the show are just blown away with how much they take control and how much unspoken language there is between everybody. So you get really spoiled.


Question: Chloe is one of the most loved characters on the show. Do you feel that?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I do.
Sometimes I have to remind myself how special it is because I kind of take it for granted, just because I have been on the show so long. It's weird. It's like ... it's part of my life, you know? People call me Chloe. They say 'oh sorry! that's not your name.' But I take it in stride. It's normal for me for people to call me Chloe.


Question: Why do you think people love her so much? What is it about her?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I think that there is an awkwardness with her in, and an inappropriateness. And she's really smart, and maybe an uncommon personality type to be... When she does good, I think it makes me feel good, because she is ... she is not messed up, I shouldn't say that. Annie: She's a little off.

Annie Wersching: She's a little off.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: She's a little off. And people say that they know somebody like that or they can relate to that. And I also think that over the years, it weirdly gives a breather to the action that's going on. Because I, I tend to have more of the weird character stuff that sticks out on our show. It's so much action stuff and also of course because I help Jack.


Question: She's also the heart of the show, in a way. Where everyone is so business-like, and she gives it a bit of humor.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Why, thank you. I don't know how it happened but they just sort of started writing me helping Jack and then it just sort of fell into that rhythm. A lot of times people will say, 'Jack and Chloe! Jack and Chloe!' But if you watch it, we would be on the phone with each other. I am doing something on the computer and talking to him. Most of the year, I don't have scenes with him. Then sometimes I look at the script and say, 'Oh, I have a scene with Kiefer today.' I have had many conversations with him, but not in the same room. Or I am doing things for him, but we are not necessarily together.


Question: Do you guys have any ideas about where future seasons could go, in terms of location?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Hawaii?

Annie Wersching: Kiefer really wants, maybe for the movie, to do a European place like the UK.


Question: Is there talk on the set about where it might go?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Oh, it's moment by moment. Nobody knows.


Question:

Annie Wersching: answer

Mary Lynn Rajskub: answer


Question: What about ratings? I think the last season did better than the previous one?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Yeah, I think so. I am really excited for this year. I think they're really good. I've only seen episode one.

Annie Wersching: Me too. I can't imagine trying to write this show. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I know. It's pretty nuts. I don't know how they do it.

Annie Wersching: I think putting in new cities the last few years was a really smart idea. D.C., just the overall feeling of it, gave it a whole new life. And I think this one will be the same.


Question: What do you think of all the new guys in the cast?

Annie Wersching: I'm glad I don't have to be a 'new guy' this year!

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I love it. It's exciting. CTU is back and all the new people. Right away everybody has a unique feel about them from the get-go. It's fun.

Annie Wersching: My stuff is mainly with Kiefer. Or the bad guys.


Question: Did you do as many fights in this season?

Annie Wersching: Yeah, but in a different way. It's the same with the gun work, too. It's not your typical FBI, 'Freeze!' type stuff.


Question: When you are at the FBI, did you see the appeal of signing up?

Annie Wersching: Totally

Mary Lynn Rajskub: You did?

Annie Wersching: Oh yeah. I was like, 'I could do this.'

Mary Lynn Rajskub: No way.

Annie Wersching: Yeah. But I'm probably like that with everything I do. I'll watch a movie and be like, 'I want to be a nurse!' That's why I like being an actor. But I really liked it. It seems very hard but amazing.


Question: But I guess you have no desire to be an analyst?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Sure don't! I love playing one.

Annie Wersching: I met a lot of analysts when I toured the different FBI buildings. I met behavioural science guys who study serial killers and I met people who just process data and work on audio and visual and information that comes in from security cameras. You wouldn't even believe all these departments and all these crazy smart people.


Question: Did they talk about the show? Did they like it?

Annie Wersching: Yeah, they definitely liked it.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: I have this ego thing where I am afraid that if people who are fans of the show who are really smart people see me talking and my lack of knowledge and how goofy I am, that... So I try not to talk too much because I want them to still like me.

Annie Wersching: That's how I was too when one guy was helping me shoot guns and he took me to shoot an M4. My arm was shaking. After shooting it for maybe a minute. I was like, 'How do you hold it up? And shoot it on target?' I was just in awe.


Question: Do you watch the show or do you get shown the episodes before anyone else?

Annie Wersching: We had one screening this year where we all sat in CTU and watched the first episode.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: That was fun. I got really pumped up. That was really smart of them because we had been working for months and not really seen anything or got any feedback. And when I saw it, I was like, 'This is a really good show.'


Question: Have you had a lot of famous people wanting to be in the show?

Annie Wersching: I've heard that a lot. Ben Stiller was one.


Question: I always imagine the set being very testosterone-laden, with men doing sit-ups and arm-wrestling between takes.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Let's not ruin that fantasy. Sure, that's what happens. You have no idea! The rippled muscles. Although with the action stuff, that is very physical. The times I've been out in the field I saw it was a different animal.

Annie Wersching: But with big stunts, you basically have one shot to do it. So, that's more about safety, safety, safety. Making sure you go over it so many times, making sure you have everything right-so that when we shoot it, nothing goes wrong.


Question: Do you have a favorite moment from 24?

Annie Wersching: All I can think of is things Renee has done. Is that wrong? Last year she was hanging off the side of a car and driving and shooting.

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Yeah! Um, I can't think of one specific moment. I like the moments of intrigue. We do these all the time. Someone's walking away and we do this [pulls a face]. It's for an extra long beat, which feels ridiculous when you are doing it, but when you watch it on TV, they use those little bits.

Annie Wersching: I love the moments where there are characters that you generally don't like when the season starts, but by the time of their death, you are just crushed.


Question: Chloe must be not trustworthy of anyone at CTU at this point?

Mary Lynn Rajskub: Well, there is the conceit of the show. I have to come on like I'm just coming to work. And I do think my character is taking on more confidence in her ideas and her conclusions about things. You see that this year.

Annie Wersching: You definitely see that they need to have better screening and protocols with their employees, that's for sure.