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Showtime presents

Scott Lowell
"Ted" on "Queer As Folk"

March 4, 2001

Scott Lowell plays "Ted" on the show "Queer As Folk." "Ted" is the predictable and pragmatic accountant. Prior to "Queer As Folk," Scott spent 11 years in Chicago performing on stage before moving to Los Angeles. Scott's television credits include guest appearances on "Frasier," "Caroline in The City," and "Early Edition."

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Showtime: Thanks for signing on for our chat with Scott Lowell. Scott plays Ted, the predictable and pragmatic accountant on "Queer As Folk." Prior to "QAF," Scott spent 11 years in Chicago performing on stage before moving to Los Angeles. Scott's television credits include guest appearances on "Frasier," "Caroline in The City," and "Early Edition." He has also appeared in several feature and short films. Scott has also starred in many successful and award-winning commercials. Let's get started! Scott, thanks for joining us tonight!

Scott Lowell: Thank you for having me, and hey there all you Folk-ers! I'm so excited to chat with you tonight, and a little nervous, too, because I've only done one other online chat before. So it would make me a lot more comfortable if you'd tell me your measurements and what you're wearing before you ask your questions! (laughing)

Ms. Hollywood: What's your best memory to date working on "QAF"?

Scott Lowell: Good question, Ms. Hollywood! There have been so many, but I'd have to say shooting the scene you all saw last week (having an encounter in the back of an SUV) was quite memorable. Being in a parking lot at night in the bitter cold and getting pornographic directions from the director was quite an experience. I just kept chanting to myself "I'm an artist, I'm an artist, I'm an artist."

Actor 2 Be: Do you miss the stage? Any desire to return?

Scott Lowell: Yes, I do miss it, and I definitely plan on returning to it. I was getting a little bored with it after 11 years in Chicago, and that was part of the reason I moved to L.A. - to give myself new challenges. Film and TV acting are completely different from stage acting. But now that I've kind of gotten into that a bit more, I'd love to get back on the stage.

Curious: What are your favorite plays/musicals?

Scott Lowell: My favorite all-time musical is "Sunday in the Park with George" and it's my favorite play as well. That, and the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "Nicholas Nickleby." Maybe I'm dating myself here.

Samantha: What did you do to prepare for the role of Ted?

Scott Lowell: Ted, unfortunately, was far too easy for me to slip into as a role. I related to him instantly, especially given the move I made from Chicago to L.A. I began to understand his pain of feeling so unattractive in a world dominated by beauty. I understood his loneliness because of that. He's the sad and lonely parts of myself that I try to keep a cork on, so I had to unleash the genie, and there he was. I'm not familiar with the club scene, so on arriving in Toronto I went to visit some of the local clubs just to get the flavor. However, my math skills have not improved. (grin)

Jen Eduardo: Did you audition for the role of Ted? How did that process work? Do you know how many actors you were competing against?

Scott Lowell: f course I didn't audition - they just handed it on a platter. Are you crazy? (laughing) Yes, I did audition, and I'm happy to say I was the first one cast. I don't know how many people I was up against, but when I went in to audition I didn't think I had a chance because Ted was supposed to be chubby and balding. Although I understood his life emotionally, I didn't think I was right physically, so I went into the audition and had fun. And I think the producers realized the strengths of someone who isn't necessarily that unattractive but thinks he is. I don't know how many people I beat out, but I was able to change the producers' minds. I do know that Jerry Offsay, president of Showtime, told me afterwards that upon seeing the audition, his comment was, "He's the perfect sad sack!" (I think he meant it as a compliment.)

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