Archived Q&A with Olivia Munn

• Q

  

  HBO

  Thanks to Olivia Munn for joining us for today’s Q&A. Which characteristics of Sloan can you relate to in real life?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Sloan's a fighter. When things are black and white, like the safety of other people, Sloan doesn't see grey. I'm definitely a fighter, especially when I'm standing up for a friend, I don't back down, ever. Sloan also has a strong sense of self. It makes it hard for people to tear her down because any flaws they could say about her, she's already aware of, and since she knows her strengths she doesn't let anyone's judgement define her identity. That's kind of a mantra for my life: How will anyone know your worth, if you don't? Know who you are, strive to always be better, and don't let anyone back you into an idea of who they think you should be. And we're both a bit socially inept. I think I'm a good judge of character and people, but I tend to make the wrong decision in social situations and also give too many second chances.

• Q

  

  JuanCampos_

  During the past 6 yrs on TV, you have had to be very careful not to curse. How did it finally feel to curse knowing it was part of the show?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Cursing is part of my vernacular, sadly. I use "fuck" as if it was a comma. I think I do it too much, though. Because when you actually need to curse, you want it to make an impact. I've worked on curbing my cursing, not just for TV, but for my personal life as well. So, being able to use the perfect profane word at the right moment on an HBO show, is all the more gratifying for me.

• Q

  

  GivenToCast

  The character you play is so versed in Economics, what kind of preparation have you done to prepare for this role?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  There's a lot that goes into preparing for any role. What helps me the most is asking a lot of questions. Sorkin created the characters, so instead of guessing and making assumptions, I just ask him. Then I take all of the information he's given me and combine it with my point of view and truth and that's how I get to all of the choices I've made for my character. When it comes to the dialogue and content of each script, I think it's imperative to be completely knowledgeable, not just in the words I'm saying but in the words I'm not saying. Like in episode 5 when I'm teaching economics, I did a lot of research on our economy- how it began, how we got to where we are, where we're going... Even if I wasn't saying it all, I needed to understand it so that I could be trusted with what I did say.

• Q

  

  Calmacil20

  What's the most intimidating thing about being handed an Aaron Sorkin script?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Once you read it and see how brilliantly written it is, there's the pressure to want to do it justice.

• Q

  

  Gerardo Lopez-Castillo

  Who is the prankster in the set of newroom?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  There isn't a prankster but Dev Patel is definitely the one who is eternally happy. He has such a great sense of humor, is always laughing and is always joking around with everybody. There's not really pranks on a Sorkin set.

• Q

  

  DoubleSixx

  Can we expect any surprises from Sloan ? #OliviaMunn #OMFG #HBO #TheNewsRoom #SloanSabbith #HashTagCrazy

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Hopefully in this next episode. I'll be speaking Japanese and it's not just regular Japanese, it's SORKIN JAPANESE which is infinitely more difficult.

• Q

  

  sshadow3

  If you could pick your dream role, what would it be?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I feel like I'm doing my dream role right now actually.

• Q

  

  sshadow3

  If the men of the Newsroom starred in Magic Mike 2, who do you think would be the best dancer?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I think it would be John Gallagher Jr. He won a Tony for Spring Awakening and he played a lead role in American idiot, so my money goes on him to lead the pack.

• Q

  

  faith_aki

  Favorite line from the show so far?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  What Jeff said the other day...I'm paraphrasing here because I can't remember verbatim. It's what Jeff said to Hope Davis "I'm a middle aged man who never reached his potential, you don't want to be on mt bad side." I personally like when the bar is set lower. When people have low expectation of you that's when you can be brave enough to do things that when more is expected of you and more is needed of you, you're more careful. I love the idea of this guy saying "Look I know you set the bar low for me but I don't have any fear of disappointing you. Things to me in life, we're so quick to judge each other and rate people where they fall in line, when people put you down it releases the chains of any kind of expectation. For me, it releases any kind of tension or stress.

• Q

  

  MetropoLois

  How would you characterize Mack and Sloan's relationship?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I think Mack and Sloan are very close friends who have a lot of mutual respect for each other. They're the type of friends who go easily between work and personal life. You can just tell how much they care and respect each other. In any real friendship it's important to have an ease between each other. They're two different people with one important thing in common; a loyalty to each other and important friendships. As you get older your friend groups get smaller and it's nice to have a close friend and a confidant at work. Especially to have another woman who is smart and successful and driven to have your back makes you feel stronger.

• Q

  

  EddieGribbin

  Who is the most intimidating actor/actress on "The Newsroom?"

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  Olivia Munn says:

  For me it's all of them. This is a high caliber of actor we're talking about Broadway actors. Emily Mortimer, Jeff Daniels, they're all such seasoned actors. I have so much reverence and respect for all of them. I surrounded myself with really great actors and all of their work is intimidating in an inspiring way. They raise the bar and it makes you want to jump up to it.

• Q

  

  Deemies63

  To prepare for the role did you spend time in an actual newsroom such as CNN and such to learn?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I majored in journalism so throughout college I interned at news stations. My first job was at the assignment desk at an NBC affiliate in OK. I've been comfortable in news stations for a long time.

• Q

  

  Exec_Asst

  Will your character have a love interest?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I'm not sure. I really like that Sloan loves her job the most and if somebody or something comes around that sweeps her up in love I don't think she would turn away. I really love doing the actual news stuff with Sloan. The personal stuff is interesting but for me, I'm so fascinated by the news stories. That's what inspires and fascinates me.

• Q

  

  RICHARDGRADNEY

  WILL YOU MARRY ME?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Yes

• Q

  

  Nathaniel Williams

  Will we get a bigger back story on your character's history or on the cast?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  That's an Aaron Sorkin question!

• Q

  

  julia_mar

  Do you think that the show and what it talks abt is a wake up call for journalism in America?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  In my opinion, The Newsroom isn't a lecture to the media, rather it's trying to get audiences to fall in love with the news again. What we do on the show is showing audiences why our favorite news establishments have had to change their game plan and incorporate more of the celebrity gossip and sensationalizing stories. We're trying to show them the news media has gone this way because they somehow abandoned their initial intention into going into news, which I believe is giving out vital information to the public and speaking out the truth. We have to support the news stories which need to be heard so that it gives the ratings to news establishments that tell the stories that need to be heard.

• Q

  

  Steevyn Joseph

  Any chance of an OMFG comeback? One of my favorite things about you was how connected you were with your fanbase.

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Thanks! Yes, I shut down my website because I was the one who updated everything and didn't want to pass it along to anyone else. I always love the direct connection with the fans and I didn't want somebody else to be my voice for me. Soon, we'll be doing a yearly event where it's just a time I can give back to the fans. Hopefully that'll be something I can do starting next year and lock it in as a yearly OMFG meet-up.

• Q

  

  Cali_gamer

  When you received the script , what attracted you to the character Sloan?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  The first script, the character Sloan was smaller. What attracted me to the character was that Aaron Sorkin wanted me for the role and I had an opportunity to work on the show. No matter how small that role was, I wanted to be a part of the show. It was all based on Aaron Sorkin.

• Q

  

  Santiago Ochoa

  olivia do you prefer serious parts or comedy,, you are a funny lady

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Thank you that means a lot! I love doing both obviously because it gives me the opportunity to try out different things and grow as an actor. Melissa McCarthy getting nominated this year for Bridesmaids, it was such a breakthrough for comedians. It's very difficult to get people to suspend their disbelief in general and that's why acting is such an art and a skill. Getting someone to truly laugh is just as hard as getting someone to cry and have them feel this emotion. Anytime I can get someone to truly laugh and surprise them is always exciting for me. It's a toss up right now, but if I could cater to where I am right now in my life I'd do drama with subtle humor and comedy that comes out in natural small ways.

• Q

  

  Karen Marcus

  Has your role as Sloan on the Newsroom inspired you at all to return to the world of TV journalism?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Between "The Daily Show" and "The Newsroom" I actually get a nice dose of it, so I don't have an extra yearning for it. I majored in Journalism and have always had a lot of admiration for news journalists,. Doing "The Newsroom" just makes me excited about playing the type of journalist I respect- journalists who love their jobs, fight for the truth and strive to get vital information to the public.

• Q

  

  MarkDavidBrett

  What is your favorite moment of the show so far... either aired or already shot?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  All of episode 6 was really special for me. I was given a big responsibility and it meant so much to me to be entrusted like that and I worked so hard and went on zero sleep. So the entire episode will always be an exciting and wonderful memory for me. But, one moment that stands out in my mind is towards the end of the season and Sloan is trying to get Mackenzie to report on the debt ceiling. It was so wonderfully written and it was such a powerful message. Sloan knew that the only possibility of avoiding the economic crash was to give the American public a chance to speak up and voice their concerns. But in order to do that, Americans would first, have to be aware of what was happening with their money. Seeing the clock run out, I corner Mackenzie and explain with zero uncertainty that the American people need time to fight back if they want a chance at saving their money, their futures and that it's our responsibility as news journalists to tell them. I love that scene and speech. I can still recite every line from it. The American people were in the dark and Sloan was fighting for them. I felt so strong and in control in that scene. To me, there is no moment more empowering than when you're standing up and protecting someone who can't stand up for themselves.

• Q

  

  kathrynnlang

  How much has this role enlightened you on economics and taught you terms and knowledge you may not have gained without the role?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  It's like a history lesson every time. And I'm sure where we're at in the economy makes it easy to say this now, but I welcome the knowledge. When does it ever hurt to know more about the economy?

• Q

  

  narms13

  What's it like going from The Daily Show where you parodied the news to a show like the Newsroom where you're playing a serious journalist?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  It's fantastic and so much fun. To go from working on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" to working on "The Newsroom" with Aaron Sorkin, is unbelievable and I know how lucky I am. I don't have to be a lead on the show. I'd gladly work craft just to be a part of the show.

• Q

  

  _Gerrad

  What attracts you more to the projects that you've chosen, the material or the personnel attached to it?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I want to surround myself with greatness. Water rises to the same level, so my hope is that just striving to reach their bar, whether I make it or fall short, will still get me close enough to learn and grow and add to the story. Perfect Couples, The Daily Show, Magic Mike, The Newsroom have all been with great writers, directors or producers and I've been part of an ensemble. That's what I'm focused on right now- I love being part of ensembles and working with actors who are better than me who I can learn from.

• Q

  

  sshadow3

  What has been your biggest challenge in bringing Sloan to life?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Finding an inner strength that doesn't always need to be heard or seen. I think restraint is a human quality that is sometimes forgotten by actors. So often we just vomit up our emotions onto each other and the scene and the all over the audience because we're so excited to be able to show human moments. Bu that's when an actor usually loses my attention. In life we have to show restraint all of the time- when someone's hurt us, when we're in a disagreement with someone who we still respect and admire, when we're trying to save face. In the moments where we choose to show constraint, I feel are moments you really get to see a person's character. It was important to me that Sloan always remember that the most important thing to her is her job because she has a responsibility to educate and inform the public, especially given the state of the economy and what's about to happen with it. Always keeping that in mind, Sloan has to show restraint whenever the trivial finds it way into our lives and tries to pull focus.

• Q

  

  Jay6Seven83

  Is there a particular Financial Analyst that you watched for inspiration?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  Watched them all. Sorkin mentioned a few people who based the character off of, but said there is no one person Sloan is modeled after. So, I just watched everyone.

• Q

  

  MetropoLois

  Many people have criticized Aaron Sorkin's portrayal of women on The Newsroom. What's your take?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  All the characters in the show have strengths and weaknesses, not just the women. I find it interesting that a man can crumble or be silly and still be a man, yet if a woman if a woman falters or is silly it's somehow anti-feminism.

• Q

  

  HBO

  That's all the time we have for today's Q&A with Olivia Munn. Thanks for joining us, Olivia. Any parting words?

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  Olivia Munn says:

  I hope everyone knows that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of my fans and know that the only reason I am where I'm at in my career is because of them. The reason I get all these great opportunities like working with people like Jon Stewart and Aaron Sorkin is because the fans have always supported me. They put me on this ride and they're coming along with me.