Around 8:57 last night, I had a brief flash of panic: What if they cut my part down? I’m going to feel like the biggest jackass in history!
It was like that moment when you’re on a roller coaster, just before the chain catches and starts to pull you up the first hill: Is this going to be fun, or is it going to make me sick? But then the show started, and all I could do was watch.
I will admit that I felt my face flush when I saw my name on the screen. Anne and the kids cheered, and my stomach filled with butterflies. That was cool.
The show really reflected what I read in the script, almost word-for-word and beat-for-beat. I had forgotten that that is pretty common in television: so many people have to sign off on the story and dialogue that there is little change between what we shoot on the set and what the audience finally sees. It’s totally different in movies (theatrical or television) where the director and producers usually have much more time to cut something together, and there’s always a little bit of mystery about what is (and isn’t) going to finally make it into the final cut. Anyway, I mention it because I’d totally forgotten that’s how it is in television.
I knew that Walter was in the “B” story, and I knew that I only had a few scenes, so I relaxed. The only way they’d seriously cut my scenes down is if I just sucked out loud on the set, and I was fairly sure I didn’t.
When they found the shoe imprint under the kid’s window, Ryan turned to me and he said, “Oh! I totally know you did it, because that’s a Converse imprint!”
Before I could answer, Nolan said, “They had you wear your own shoes?”
“No,” I said. “I wore Converse from the wardrobe department that were exactly like mine but covered with dirt and oil and junk. It was funny to me that I’d take off my shoes each morning, and put on the exact same shoes, only dirty.”
“SHH!” Anne said. Apparently she was watching the show.
The show rolled on, and we all laughed out loud during the “only geeks say ‘da bomb'” scene. I guess I’m not a real geek, because I don’t think I’ve ever said “da bomb.” And if I do, I hope someone hits me in the back of the head so it never happens again.
I knew it would be a long time before I was on screen, but it still felt like an eternity . . . until someone mentioned “that creepy homeless guy” and my family cheered again.
“Oh! I know that guy!” I said, and laughed with them as my nerves started to get worked up again.
Then, suddenly, George and Gary drove into the park, and there was crazy Walter in his little tent.
I thought I looked a little chubby in my face (thank you, Stone Brewing company) but the real volatility that I was hoping for was definitely there. After they walked me off to the police car, Nolan said, “Man, that was scary!”
“It was cool, though,” Ryan said.
“Thanks, you guys.”
Couple of things about that scene:
- That was the first scene I filmed in the show, and I turned the excited “I can’t fucking believe I get to do this!” energy into “My! Name! Is! Walter!” and “It’s Mine!” Heh.
- We had to race to get it filmed, because the skies were really threatening to tear themselves open and rain all over us.
- They cut the scene before I got thrown into the police car, but on one of the takes, Joe Kelly threw me into the car so violently I flew across the seat and slammed my head into the door on the other side. In addition to the ringing in my ears, I got to enjoy the stabbing of a thousand wig pins. It really hurt, but because we were all worried about the rain, I didn’t say anything about it to anyone. I just quietly asked my costumer if she could hook me up with some Advil, which she did. So Walter’s totally hopped up on Advil in that scene.
- I had bruises for several days on my arms and in my ribs from struggling against the cops when they pulled me out of my cool little tent.
- Though it was on screen for about 22 seconds, it took close to two hours to shoot that sequence.
- We shot it in a park in The Valley, about a quarter of a mile from the location where the murdered kid’s house was.
Oh shit, it’s 11am. I haven’t showered yet, and I have to be at the Grand Slam Star Trek convention in 30 minutes.
It feels anti-climactic to stop this entry here, but I’ll write about the rest of the show later today or over the weekend.
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You waz da bomb diggity, homee.
I loved that cracked out m.f.-er. I want to see more wacko roles! It would be so much fun. I even wrote about you (and the effect your role had on me) in my little blog. Keep doing the great work, and I hope to see you on TV again soon…
oh and one more thing
My! Name! Is! Walter!
Priceless!!
Finally, an entry where I can comment and know exactly what everyone is talking about! At least you didn’t have to do any of the ‘hurry up and wait’ routine. And I keep forgetting most of the show is shot in L.A. Maybe old Walter will make another appearance in a future episode? Congrats again; here’s to seeing more of you!
Excellent job last night, Wil! I never would have guessed it was you if I hadn’t seen your name in the credits!
I just discovered this blog thanks to that NYT article you mentioned but I’m glad I found it! Your comments are insightful and interesting (I’m enough of a geek myself to have spent several hours reading them today lol). It’s nice to see someone with perspective–that’s easy to lose in this crazy world.
Anyway, congrats on the ep and I loved Wesley, btw 🙂
Ok, so, I’ve never seen your blog before and unlike most people here I’m a regular CSI watcher and sit down to watch the latest episode yesterday. Walter makes his apperaence and I am so impressed with a familiarity that I can’t quite place. For a moment I think it’s Brenden Frasier, but no, the jawline is too round. Being a busy mom I miss the credits and wonder for a day who Walter was and why I even cared.
Rewind to Wednesday and Hubby, who is a big celebrity buff, surfs the web about new news. Probably since I’ve told him since we met that you were my favorite actor, he clicks your blog, reads a bit, and doesn’t say a thing! >:O
Today, being the nosy wife I am, I check the history to see where he’s been. Your name catches my attention so I click the link and read Wednesday’s entry and !BANG! it hits me. You were Walter! No wonder I found him so intriguing.
Anyways, great to see you back in action. Your blog has been bookmarked. Expect many visits from this long time fan!
I taped CSI last night and just now watched it. AMAZING! When I saw your name flash in the beginning, I happily anticipated seeing you. Then I saw that creepy homeless guy… I nearly dropped my drink because I couldnt believe it.
For a short performance, it was excellent!
Well, even though my comment is way the hell down here, I thought that your portrayal was quite good. Walter seemed like he was a tad schitzophrenic with the twitches, and it made it seem realistic.
My first thought when I watched the show was, “I wonder what his inspiration was.” I know some. I wish I could do the acting part as well. It seemed like you connected with Walter, although it was a short sequence.
All in all… well done! Everyone here in NY that I knew was watching and intrigued! 🙂
Take care!
The best line in the show:
“If you ask me, Geeks should be revered.”
Good going, Wil!
Hey, caught you on CSI last night. Very cool. My wife and I were watching it and all of a sudden it hit me and I said “that’s Wil Wheaton!” Good job man, I hope you get more parts.
Just repeating what everyone else is saying but great job Wil! It was fun to see your name in the credits, it felt like seeing a friend’s name up there. Walter was very believable and I hope it leads to other things.
Great job. 🙂
By the way, does anyone know the music used in the “lab work” scene when no one is speaking? I could’ve sworn I had heard it in a Flash move or something before.
I told my wife we couldn’t miss last night’s CSI (something we normally Tivo and watch on weekends) since someone special was going to be on.
So were on the couch cuddling, and Mr. Baldwin shows up and she gave the look that very eloquently said “You call this special?”
Fast forward to few minutes later when “Walter” was in the station and she caught a clear look at your face and screamed (forgive the caps but it’s approriate)”HOLY CRAP! IT’S WIL!” directly into my right ear.
I sacrificed my hearing for you man, I hope you appreciate it.
Awesome Show, my mom even called me during a commercial to make sure that was you. She couldnt believe it. Man it was awesome, yes you are now a part of my favorite episode, and I am a BIG CSI GEEK, I own all the DVDs and watch it every week. Man I am so glad you got a part, I hope to see you in more. Now if I can just get my copy of my Mr Stitch.
Hey Wil I thought it was great. I’ve never watched an episode of CSI before, but I think I’ll start thanks to your performance. 🙂
Good job, Wil. My wife didn’t recognize you and thought you were “creepy”.
I’m envisioning another CSI spin-off with Walter as a lab tech for CSI: Pamona.
My!Lab!
My!DNA!spinny!thing!
MY!MICROSCOPE!
You were awesome on CSI wil. I was at my grammas for our weekly poker night and I forced them to turn the tv to csi so I could watch. It felt kinda weird seeing you on there…in a good way. I kept thinking like, “I know him! I know him!” Well, I read your blog and books if that classifies as knowing you. Heh. Great job again. Hope to see more of ya on teh boob toob.
Yay Wil!
Im so happy it all came together really well by the sound of it. I can’t wait to see it! By my calculations it wont be on tv until late june over here. Im in for a long wait but im sure it’ll keep me excited with anticipation. Cant wait 4 the rest of the post!
Good job Wil, I have to say Im rather impressed. By more than your performance on CSI last night. But all that you have accomplished. I have to admit I shared the enthusiasm when I saw your name come across the screen. I have never watched CSI let alone an entire episode (I also recorded it). I happen to be a bit of a channel changer, but I managed to hold on until I saw you…your right all the details made a difference you were certainly believable. Once again good job. Whats even better…is that you could actually return to that show in a totally different capacity…with OUT the wig and dirty shoes and dirty finger nails of course.
I just have to say congratz. I saw a post on John Kovalic’s Live journal (Dork tower guy) That you were going to be on the show. Wonderful job! You played creepy to the hilt 😉 Didn’t even recognize you.
Hey Wil, I may not know jack about hollywood, but your performance was …… “EDGY !!!!!” 😉
Now where did I put my cup? I just know there’s an “uncomfortable” punch comming my way for this.
ps. I can’t wait to see more of you on the screen, it is now inevitable.
Great job Wil. I hope this leads to many more jobs.
I had a busy day yesterday and was only half paying attention to CSI last night as I responded to email, did laundry, picked up toys, planned Friday etc. I caught the Walter scenes and I didn’t even remember that it was you until afterwards. Now, as I thought I had your screen presence emblazoned in my memory, this is testimony to the acting job. I did not see ‘Wil Wheaton as Walter’– I saw Walter.
I like the ref. to a Wilco song in the title of the post. what do I win?
“My name is WALTER!!”
Was there any energy behind that being a silent “NOT Wesley!!!”?! I’ve never heard anyone put more force behind a name..Wil, it was awesome, may there be a series, top-rate movie, or more guest runs in your future.
It was good to see you on-screen again, congrats! Wish we could travel back to California to go to the Grand Slam again. I miss the warm air, sunshine (riiiigght;), and fun drives that living in California provided. I’ve always wanted to meet you in person more than any other actor/actress, just for the fact that you’re my age and your trials and tribulations remind me a little of some things I’ve gone through.
Anyway, congrats again on the CSI gig; hope you get more roles sooon!!!
Excellent job with Walter…now let them say you’re not “edgy enuff”!
BTW- thanks for the recommendation of EggRadio.com- am listening now & I love it!
AND they just used a clip from last night’s CSI between songs- “It’s not my sweater” “You already said it’s your sweater” “Finders, keepers!”
Cool!
It really is a small world, you know. Today I was talking on the phone to the woman who let me commandeer her MegaHuge plasma screen TV last night so I could watch your episode of CSI, and she told me that a mutual friend of ours just got back from a visit to L.A. During her trip her friends took her to a comedy club, where she could swear she’d seen one of the actors on stage somewhere before, and couldn’t place him. The name in the program was familiar, but still, she couldn’t remember. She brushed past him in the hall where he was signing autographs, and still, she couldn’t recall where she’d seen him before.
My host from last night provided the answer for her, as she’d just seen the same guy on TV last night, and had your adventures regaled to her by me for an hour before the show, one such tale being the ACME sketch comedy. Upon hearing the details, our mutual friend comfirmed that it was indeed ACME she’d been to, and saw Wil Wheaton on stage; the same Wil Wheaton that The Goddess of Justice and Vengeance adores.
“Yes, *that’s* the guy!” my host confirmed to my friend. My friend said she really loved the sketch with the waiter, and the line about “I was on Star Trek.” (At which point she got who you were.)
I am so uber-jealous right now. I’m so going to call her and take her out to dinner and pester her for more details than that! I’m also lobbying Hubby to take me to California (we have family in Sacramento, and Mom wants to visit Disneyland)so that I, too, can go to ACME and pass you in the hall on *my* way to the ladies’ room! And maybe get my copy of JAG signed, while wearing my “Wil Has A Posse” cami.
(You’re signing autographs outside the ladies’ room?? There are worse places, I suppose! Just kidding!}
Kudos again on CSI!!
Herself,
The Goddess of Justice and Vengeance
Hahaha!! “the stabbing of a thousand wig pins” I don’t get to hear that every day.
Becky
Outstanding.
Congratulations on being in the CSI show that almost everyone impresses Grissom. 🙂
Here’s hoping they put commentary on that on the DVD and ask you back.
Howdy. Never read this blog thing before. I’m a devout watcher of CSI. I missed the guest credits cause I was doing other stuff, the only one I caught was Stephen Baldwin.
I didn’t even realize that it was you as Walter. I just saw him and was like, oh, that’s Walter the bum. Didn’t even recognize you. But isn’t that a testament to an actor’s ability? To be able to take on a role and have people not realize it’s you?
Kudos.
Its MY sweater!
That was such a cool performance. You. Rock.
Dude, that was awesome!!! I loved every bit. You made th eshow for me 😀 Hope you had a blast 🙂
Great job! Chalk another one up for one who doesn’t watch CSI but tuned in to see you. 😀
hey Wil.
good job on the show. It was a little disturbing though. I look forward to reading more of your behind the scens details.
thanx for keeping us all up to date.
and it the words of that one guy (the one that gave homer panhandeling tips) “man thats good crazy guy”
************Regarding my Earlier Comment******
I realize there were quite a few of you trying to download the clips of wil on csi from my website:
http://chantellejoy.brianblades.com/videos/
I realize that the file wasn’t downloading correctly, and I’ve fixed the problem.
SO IF YOU MISSED WIL ON CSI – GO HAVE A LOOK!!!
Totally loved the episode. I was going to tape it, but I really want it on my computer so I can take screencaps off and make a few user icons of Wil as Walter. LOL Congrats to Wil for a really well done job. That’s our Wil!
Morgan
Wow Wil, I remember seeing your name in the opening credits for CSI on Thurs, but I was studying for my anatomy final and wasn’t devoting my full attention to the show. I totally did not realize you were the drug addict. Major snaps and kudos to you, congratulations. Hopefully I can see it again on reruns or something 😀
Believe it or not, I’ve never watched a full episode of CSI before. (I know, I know, I’ve been living under this rock for a while.) But man, look what I’ve been missing! Now wonder you were so psyched to get on that show! I love the show, and I really liked your Walter. It was a pleasure to see you on prime time. I hope you get more opportunities to do this thing you love and are so good at. I also really like reading your blog. You’ve got some good things going in your life, and it’s great to hear about them. Thanks for sharing with us!
Oh, I forgot to say how thrilled I was to see Lee Tergesen’s name also roll by in the opening credits. I’ve just discovered Oz with Netflix (again, blame that rock) and I think he’s amazing. I don’t know if you like Oz and/or got a chance to meet Lee, but I thought that was pretty cool.
Wil Wheaton you are awesome!! Though I have to say I could have died watching your episode due to the fact that I started cheering when I saw your name on the screen and almost fell of my treadmill and into a wall:) Don’t you love how everyone’s talking about you in the episode?? I haven’t heard anything about Stephen Baldwin:) Great job Wil you were incredible!
I’ve only been reading WWdN twice a week for a couple weeks, so had no idea which character you would be. Watched CSI, thinking the whole time, okay who IS he? Honestly, I didn’t know until I looked up the cast on line. I’m not an actor, so I’m only speaking as a fan of acting, but that seems like a sign that you did a terrific job.
This entry in the blog about the experiences of watching it and acting it, I can speak to with some authority as both a writer and former editor. You’re a helluva writer. I want to read a novel by you. Any chance that’s in the plans?
Oh, no! I missed CSI! Do you know when they’ll be re-airing it? I’d love to see it!
Damn, I can’t believe I missed it…
Long time reader, first time poster…
Great Job, Walt…. uh, I mean Wil!! =)
I don’t think I would have recognized you if I had not known beforehand that it was you, except I probably would have probably had this nagging feeling that your voice sounded familiar, hehe.
I just downloaded the clips which were linked above (thanks, by the way!), and I noticed a bit of a blooper after about the fourth time watching the interrogation scene. In the wide shot of the room, your hands are down near the table. When they cut to the next shot from over your left shoulder, your hands are up near your chin. Obviously a nitpick, and it didn’t take away from the scene or anything, I just thought it was interesting that this slipped through on a show that usually pays so much attention to every last detail. =)
Here’s hoping that success breeds success, and this opens MANY more doors for you in the future! Congratulations!!!
Also, you mentioned that you had a backstory for Walter, Any chance of revealing that to us? I, for one, would love to hear what makes Walter “tick”! Thanks!
Okay, I’m only commenting on this because I’m anal about such things.
The “homeless guys all have beard” comments I have to disagree with. I have seen many homeless men without full beards. Especially where I live because of the high Native American population. Some Asian men don’t grow beards either. Also, there are charities and shelters that will give out safety razors and other things. I can see a crack addict being willing to get shaved, but not get their hair cut. If one is paranoid, having your hair cut by someone is going to freak you out more than shaving your own face.
My suspicion is that some people don’t think that someone without a beard is homeless and therefore don’t pay attention to a homeless person without a beard.
Anyway, it bugs me when people don’t bother to check their “facts”. *getting down from soapbox now*
I was so sad I couldn’t get into your performance because it was like I was watching my brother acting (Yes, you really remind me of my brother, not that I feel I know you like a brother. That would be just creepy on my part.). I have a really low ability for suspension of disbelief anyway, especially since I read everything you wrote before I saw the episode. My boyfriend really liked your part and performance though.
YAY!!! for you!
I think you would have been wonderful as the “Dark Beaver” too, if he had been a suspect and had a larger role.
I officially have no idea what the appeal of CSI is, but good job Wil
My TV exists for one primary reason: To watch DVDs. The stuff that’s on broadcast television today simply isn’t entertaining.
However, for the first time in years, I brushed the dust off my TV tuner and tuned into a show, specifically, CSI. I brushed even more dust off my VCR and recorded it.
Congrats, Wil. ^_^
Another non-CSI watcher who tuned in to see W.W. Super job! Glad to see you on TV again!
Just logging in here (my first time) to let you know I always liked Wesley, too, because you reminded me of my own son — and I never thought there was anything at all negative about Wesley!
I suspect there was a lot of W.W. in the character, too.
Keep blogging!
Wil,
Way to go…I really enjoyed Walter! Great job.