White Actor in White Role: It's Kooky!


Q: At Sterling Cooper, Bert plays a father figure of sorts. Is your dynamic with the cast similar?

A: Everybody treats me with such respect. They call me sir, and I say, "Oh please don't do that, call me 'Bobby.'" It's a well mannered bunch of people, but I don't think it's carried much further than that. We're all pretty equal, I don't think there's great deference. And if I end up being a father figure, it just means I move a little slower than rest!

Q: Bert is famously eccentric. Are any of his quirks at all like your own?

A: That's always in the eye of the beholder, I say. You yourself can't see it as much as other people. I think I'm pretty much down to earth, and I'm not really way, way out there. I like the normal things of life: I like the Mets, and the Celtics, and the NY Rangers. I like to watch C-Span; I love Costco.

Q: What's your preparation process?

A: There's a young lady who helps me prepare. My memorization skills aren't that great so I need help in that area. As far as everything else, I listen to the director. I'm someone who doesn't argue. I hit my marks and say the lines. I'm very fortunate to be on such a wonderful show -- and the lunch is wonderful.

What, no tantrums? No arguments? No trailer to sulk in? No bodyguards with concealed weapons? No Crystal? No "riders"? Whigger, pleeze!

As seen on the following pages from his 2009 concert rider, Jay-Z (real name: Shawn Carter) demands that promoters provide him with ground transportation while he is in town performing. Specifically, the rap star requires a late-model black Maybach (either the 57 or 62 model) with tinted windows. Carter's dressing room (72 degrees, please) must be stocked with Sapporo beer, vodka, tequila, and two bottles of $300 Champagne. Oh, and the 39-year-old performer also needs two bottles (at $200 apiece) of 2004 Sassicaia, which his rider helpfully describes as a "Red, Italian Wine from Bolgheri Region." Additionally, Carter requires "Good Quality" peanut butter and jelly, one martini shaker, 12 shot glasses, and a pack of Marlboro Lights. A marked-up copy of the Jay-Z rider, provided by the University of Arizona, includes the school's deletion of items it declined to provide the rapper.