2011 TV News Archives

March 28, 2011: John Schneider Talks "Smallville"

Superman Homepage reporter Billy Hogan attended the John Schneider panel at MegaCon 2011 on Sunday, and filed a report on the panel and what John Schneider had to say about "Smallville", "Dukes of Hazzard" and more.

Sunday, March 27, 2011 - Superman's Father: John Schneider

Kent The previous panel ran late, so I missed the first 1o minutes or so of John Schneider's panel. But I still heard a lot of the fun anecdotes John shared with the audience. He had a great sense of humor.

John asked the audience how many aspiring actors were there. When there was only a small show of hands he jokingly said, "Good."

He then talked about a movie he did a few years ago, the name of which I couldn't catch because the panel next door was very noisy. John shared some anecdotes of the filming of it. The way he described the production could be summed up as guerilla filmmaking. It was done without any permits, and police would stop them at times. Schneider would work on it in his spare time, and with any of the other cast members who were available at the time. For instance, he would film a conversation in a room with only one actor at a time, talking to someone who wasn't there. John filmed the other actor later. Thanks to the film editing, viewers wouldn't be any wiser.

Someone asked John about his taste in instruments and music, since Schneider did have success as a singer with a number of hit songs. John has a guitar in just about every room, so that he can play a little bit every day no matter where he is at home. As far as music, he likes Jazz and Blues, music that seems to flow out of the instrument. John shared a story about a concert he did, where he went on stage with his guitar, with no idea about which songs he would play until he began. Tom Wopat, John's co-star on the 70's TV show Dukes of Hazzard, is also a singer, but is a more structured guy, according to John.

John Scnneider's favorite band is Blood, Sweat and Tears. If he were ever to do another musical project he'd like to do remakes of some of their songs. He also likes Cat Stevens and Jim Croce. John mentioned that he felt that every singer and songwriter since Croce's death in 1972 has been influenced by him.

He was then asked about when he performed on stage with Carol Burnett. John had been working in theater since the age of eight, so when producers were looking with someone who knew how to work on stage, he was one of the people they looked for. He'd like to do another Broadway show, but only if he could originate the role, so he could be eligible for a Tony. One of the Broadway shows he had a role in was Grand Hotel.

John fielded a question about the Smallville episode where Tom Wopat co-starred, along with a green Dodge Charger. He said that some fans consider that episode their favorite, while others thought "that was when the handlers were coming in and warming up the shark." The producers had been talking about doing an episode like that, but John wasn't sure they were really serious. The original producers didn't have the same type of sense of humor. He was surprised, but delighted, when they did the show with a 1969 Dodge Charger that had a broken door, as well as all of the Dukes of Hazzard references. No one thought that Smallville would go on for five more years after that episode. They thought they were beginning to approach the end of the series, and decided if they were going to do an homage episodes to Dukes of Hazzard, they had better get it done.

Someone in the audience followed up with a question about the Dukes of Hazzard movie. John thought it was terrible. He felt that viewers should be able to watch the Dukes of Hazzard with their seven year old as well as their seventy year old. The people who made the movie loved the show, but got it all wrong, John felt. There was too much of the TV show and movie JackAss in the film. It could have spawned several sequels if done right, but now it's probably just as well there aren't any.

In response to a question about his favorite Smallville memory, John said that it was just a week ago. It was when he was filming one of the final scenes of the series. Schneider said that Jonathan Kent was one of those guys who could help Clark take that next step to becoming Superman. In the scene, in part one of the finale, John described one of the most touching scenes he's ever been involved in. John and Tom Welling had a scene, similar to Uncle Jesse talking to the Duke boys, where he was, "telling him something that I can't tell you," and kissed Tom on the forehead. Tom is as big as John, but there was something in that scene, where Tom swelled up with pride in the fact that his Dad believes in him. John Scneider shared with the audience that he felt that Jonathan Kent was a crowning achievement to his career. He then added, "Good luck, Kevin Costner."

The moderator then asked John to elaborate on his involvement with another crowning achievement in his life, being involved with the creation of the Children's Miracle Network. John has always felt that if someone has been given a certain position in life they should do something constructive. In 1982 he and other celebrities who had done some March of Dimes telethons in the past, got together and decided to create a fundraising organization that would send contributions to children's hospitals, to pay for the care of children regardless of medical condition. 100% of the contributions would go to the hospitals, and would remain in the areas the money came from. The Children's Miracle Network has raised over $5 billion dollars.

A lady in the audience asked how he had remained grounded. She pointed out some celebrities remained married to the same person for a long time, while others were like, and the lady couldn't come up with a name. John said, "Charlie," referring to Charlie Sheen. John then said that he felt the stability in his personal life had a lot to do with starting in the theater. The theater is hard work and requires discipline. He realized at the age of eight, it took a lot of hard work to get on the stage, and a lot of hard work to get the next stage job. He made sure his children saw that. John would fly from Vancouver twice a week so that they would be assured that Dad went away to work, but he always came home. Also, John felt he modeled to his children what he learned from his parents' example. He felt that nothing has been handed to his children, and had been an example that we appreciate what we have to work for.

John was then asked if he had ever brought his family with him when he was filming Smallville. He said he did a few times, but his children found it a little boring. It was also easier to travel to work by himself than bringing his family with him, and they were just as content to stay at home when he had to film on location. His children preferred being home where their friends were.

Another woman in the audience said she had a silly question, to which John replied, "Oh, good!" She asked him what was the strangest fan gift or experience he had. His first response was, "This group," which made the audience laugh.

John said he has received a lot of gifts from his fans, and has asked them to contribute to their local children's hospital. He has received things like paper mache busts of himself. While he appreciated the work that went into it, John wondered where he would put it in his house. John had one woman who was convinced that they were engaged. He had a very strange conversation with her father because he did not show up to the wedding, after his daughter had convinced her entire family that she and John were engaged. After his initial fame on Dukes of Hazzard, he received a call from a lawyer who informed John that his client planned to file a paternity suit against him. John was very worried, until further investigation proved that the boy in question was 10 years old at the time that John was 18. The woman thought he was older than he actually was.

Another question from the audience was if he or any other cast member of Smallville liked to imitate each other's role just for fun. John replied that there was a shot they would do that they would "Lex Luthor it." Normally, when an actor is talking, he approaches the camera. Lex's thing was to walk away from the camera when he was talking to someone and talk to the wall. But that was the extent of it.

John did like the episode where Jonathan Kent had superpowers and he had to save Clark.

A man in the audience asked about the act he put on to get the part in Dukes of Hazzard. John said that he was from Westchester, New York, the same hometown as Tom Welling. The Dukes producers wanted someone around 24 years old who came from a farm. This was right after the hit movie Smokey and the Bandit. John knew the producers wanted real redneck material, so he borrowed a pickup truck and drove it to the site of the audition at a high rise hotel. John walked in wearing a Bud Man t-shirt, worn out boots and carrying a 6 pack of beer. Even that young he knew the importance of a first impression. In the waiting room he propped his feet up on the desk, popped open a beer and offered the secretary one. John was able to convince the producers that he was that character.

He learned later that one producer was sold on him while the other one wanted to get rid of him because he thought John was a redneck who didn't take anything seriously. I guess we know who won that disagreement. John acknowledged to the audience what a risky thing that was to do.

The gentleman in the audience had a follow up question. He asked John if he saw himself having any role in any future projects involving the Justice League characters in Smallville. John didn't think so, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for the other characters form the show. He mentioned that the cost of the upcoming Superman movie was about $100 million. In 10 years of production, Smallville cost $800 million to produce.

Another man in the audience mentioned that two men had been cast to play Superman in the movies during the ten years Tom Welling has portrayed Clark Kent in Smallville. He asked John if it was true that he advised Tom to not audition for the Superman role in the movie. John confirmed that it was true. He felt that there would be no better Superman than Tom Welling, but the Superman role might not be good for Tom Welling's career. It's not because of any Superman curse, but it would be a career mistake. John Schneider said that good things were ahead for the not so young man.

The same person asked if Tom was as good behind the camera, and John said that Tom was a great director. He has gained a lot of experience in ten years on the show and worked well with actors.

In response to another question, John said that he did not see Tom in the Superman suit, but he did get to see the Superman uniform. He got to touch it, and compared the texture to holding an anaconda. The material it is made of is very slick material. It is a very expensive suit and felt very creepy.

The follow up question was if Michael Rosenbaum was in the final episode. John did not know for sure, because he did not work with Michael in any scenes, nor did he see him on the set. John hoped Rosenbaum would be in the series finale, but honestly didn't know.

One of the memories from the Dukes of Hazzard show that stuck in his memory was of co-star Tom Wopat showing up for work after rolling his car. Tom had a gash on the right side of his forehead, so the director had to figure out how to film his scenes without showing the wound. One scene John remembered was when he was driving the General Lee, and Tom was on the passenger side, and Tom responds to John's line, and Tom delivered his line without turning his head to look at John, but looked straight ahead .

Upcoming projects include the theatrical film Doonby, as well as a script John wrote that has been optioned called Backwater. There are two actresses who are interested in the role, and John would direct. Filming is scheduled to begin this summer. While he has enjoyed being a guest star, John said he's looking forward to a more regular, consistent schedule where he knows what he will be doing in the near future. He's also involved in developing a situation comedy for the cable TV channel Nick At Night. His co-executive producer is Cher.

In response to a question about a Smallville blooper reel, John replied that Michael Rosenbaum is in most of the bloopers. John's understanding is that when Michael is on the set, producers ad an hour to the shooting schedule for some of his stand up and crazy stuff. John said it's a lot of fun. He also mentioned how hot the barn is, no matter how well the crew ventilates it, especially when Pa Kent has to wear his usual jacket. But John had nothing but compliments for the set designers. He compared the sets to Norman Rockwell paintings. It was fun being on the set on a cut up level, an intellectual level in the collaboration with the cast, and a creative level in producing a television show.

A lady in the audience followed up John's comment on working with Cher by asking him if there were any other celebrities he would like to work with. John said that he has always wanted to work with Robert Redford, who has been a personal hero ever since Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. John has met Redford several times but has never had the chance to work with him yet. As an actor John would love to be in a movie with Robert Redford and john Voight, as the "three blonde guys."

John mentioned that when he writes, he seems to write about women over 40, which brought some applause from some of the ladies in the audience. He said that if he ever wrote a script for himself, Redford and Voight, they would be minor characters to a female character over 40. It just comes out that way. John enjoys writing very much. He said that it's just like the old saying, "Don't get it right, get it written."

The final question for John Schneider was about doing a new music album. John mentioned that he would be on the soundtrack to Doonby, and he and Tom Wopat have performed concerts together, but he didn't know if he had the energy to promote an album anymore.

John mentioned that he and his wife have one child left at home, and the last thing he wants to do once she leaves for college is to find another reason to leave home and travel for work. He said that his daughter has long blonde locks and plays volleyball, wearing the number 99 on her team. Her nickname is, "the Dreaded 99." John mentioned he has some videos of her posted on youtube on his channel jrsmovies.

Schneider said he has also done some tequila ads for El Grado Tequila because it's the best tequila he's ever had, "and I know something about tequila."

It was a fun panel to attend. While I did not have a chance to talk to him personally, during the panel he seemed down to earth and had a great sense of humor. He made the audience laugh throughout his presentation. John had some great anecdotes to share and was very entertaining. It was easy to see what he brought to the role of Jonathan Kent on Smallville.

ComicsContinuum.com also grabbed a one-on-one video interview with John Schneider at MegaCon.



2011 Television News

Listed below are all the Television News items archived for 2011 organized into various categories:

“Smallville” News:

“Young Justice” Animated Series News: Other Superman Related Television News:

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