“It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Wil Wheaton,” the assistant director said.
I threw my hands up in the air and yelled into the sky: “NOOOOOOO!!!”
I sadly rode back in the van to base camp, packed up my stuff, said my goodbyes, and took my time walking through downtown back to my hotel, suddenly feeling adrift and sad.
Whenever I finish a job, I feel some degree of sadness and loss. Working on a movie or doing a play gives me months to get to know the cast and crew, and when that journey ends, and we go our separate ways, I’m often the one who’s cryin’ now.
Guesting on a series, though, is a little different: I drop in for a week, and right around the time I’ve learned everyone’s name, established some awesome running jokes, and started to feel like I’m part of the family, it’s over. It guess it should be like ripping off a bandage but it’s more like a different metaphor simile that I can’t create at the moment; feel free to create your own.
As I wandered through downtown Portland I thought about the week, and how much fun I had while I worked on the show. I thought about how much I wanted to spend more time with this cast and crew, and I couldn’t help but wonder how long it’s going to be before I get to be an actor on the set again.
I want to publicly thank John Rogers and Dean Devlin for letting me be part of their world, even if I only got to see a little bit of it. I want to thank the cast and crew for welcoming me with open arms and making me feel like I was part of their family while I was here.
I also want to thank Portland for being awesome. 99% of the people I met here were fantastic, and your city kicks ass.
A lot of people have asked when this episode will air. I don’t know, but it’s the 7th of the season, so if they run them in order, it should air 7 weeks after the season premiere on July 15, so look for it around the end of August.
Excellent! Thats great considering my local Blockbuster isn’t carrying it..
Thanks!!
Oregonians will tell you that the 1% that weren’t awesome are transplanted Californians.
(I moved here from LA 6 years ago)
“guess it should be like ripping off a bandage but it’s more like a different metaphor”
*ahem*
That was a simile, Mr. Wheaton, not a metaphor. Shame on you. And you call yourself a writer…
Hey Wil,
i have some pictures that you may or may not be interested in from the parking lot/van scene. Someone i know took some pictures. Needless to say, i am excited for season 2 of Leverage. It’s going to be a blast to see a lot of Portland.
I think instead of watching the entire series, I’ll just catch the one episode when it’s on, if I can.
I did watch Americanizing Shelley because of Wil Wheaton’s appearance in it, and I ended up liking the movie itself. You’re great promotion!
ooh! You should do a guest appearance in the show 4400! That would be so cool.
Oh you’re right.
My bad.
Leverage is on satellite tv here I’d watch but I won’t subscribe at the prices they charge.
Good “simile”/”metaphor” catch.
NOOOOO! Thats too long! Well my birthday is close to the end of August so that will work out okay. =] It sounds like you had a very awesome time and it sucks that it has to end. It seems like everyone on the set likes you as well as you like them. Hope you had a WONDERFUL time!
Just sing the first part of the song “Babe” by the Styx to Anne. It seems like it would work very good for those kinda situations. =]
“It might look like I’m just sitting here, but at the cellular level I’m actually very busy”
Like others I’ve been intrigued by your posts about Leverage so went off and found series 1. Half way through and yes, we like it! Looking forward to series 2 now!
Thank you, Wil, for all the Journey songs mentioned.