JAMES LIPTON QUESTIONS

One of the shows on television that most appeals to me is “Inside the Actor’s Studio.” Producer James Lipton, a performance instructor, historian and researcher invites the very best actors onto a live audience of Pace University students who are in New York City. During the one-on-one interview, he seeks to “discover the moments that have led to the actors success.” He chooses only the most accomplished actors. During the one hour show, which has been edited down from 2-3 hours of the live discussion, he brings up elements of the performer’s life that make many of them say, “I should be sitting here on a coach” – referencing the idea of being on the couch of a psychologist.

I partly like the show, because I have a fantasy of being an accomplish actor. I also like it because it is a show that singles out individuals who are beyond box office success. They are performers who are truly appreciated in the trade as some of the best performers.

I also like the show because it is a show about questions. I see myself sometimes in the tough persona of James Lipton – asking deep questions to the actors that are both right and revealing. I have wondered what it would be like to sit in that chair, opposite James Lipton as he asks about my life.

After walking the audience through pivotal moments of the actor’s career, there is a moment in the show in which James Lipton asks the performer ten questions – the same of which are asked to every interviewed guest.

I like the questions for their obscurity. For their ability to make the actors freeze and think. I wonder how many of them think about the questions in advance – and try to act as if they had not thought about them. And I wonder how many wait, and try to answer them spontaneously.

In my journals tonight, I have asked myself these same ten questions. I have recorded my answers. And every year, on this date of September 7, I will again, ask myself the same questions to see if I have changed or remained the same.

How do you think you would answer these questions?

I have a proposition for you. Sit down with a piece of paper. Answer these ten questions. Send your answers to me. And I will immediately send you my answers – and thoughts behind each one.

Want to try to be in the hot chair?

Advice in answering the questions:
1. Don’t think. Just answer the first thing that comes to mind – as if you are sitting in a live interview.
2. Be honest – regardless if your first answer sounds odd or not.

QUESTIONS
1. What is your favorite word?
2. What is your least favorite word?
3. What turns you on?
4. What turns you off?
5. What sound or noise do you love?
6. What sound or noise do you hate?
7. What is your favorite curse word?
8. What profession, other than the one that you have, would you like to attempt?
9. What profession would you not like to attempt under any circumstance?
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say as you arrived at the Pearly Gates?

Tonight, while interviewing Justin Bateman, he asked three additional questions that I will add as bonus questions:

1. Who do you “riff” off of in life? (“Riff” means – who in your life to you turn to to “play of” or “receive inspiration or challenge from?”
2. What is the best and worst of what you do in your job today?
3. What are the three skills that have served you best in life so far?