Archived Q&A with Tony Hale

• Q

  

  HBO

  Hello Tony Hale! Thanks for joining us for today’s Q&A. Have you been enjoying the response to Veep so far?

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  Tony Hale says:

  My pleasure! Thanks for having me. And yea, the response to Veep has been really great. I'm a fan of the show so its nice to hear people like it.

• Q

  

  TheAntiClegg

  You seem like such a positive person. How do you keep a good attitude in such a tough business?

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  Tony Hale says:

  I eat a lot of chocolate covered pretzels from Trader Joes. No, this business definitely has the potential of turning people bitter but thankfully I have a great family and group of friends who energize me daily.

• Q

  

  Jason Hutchinson

  I'm sure you get this a lot but what's going on with arrested devolpment?

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  Tony Hale says:

  The plan is to shoot it this summer. It's going to be a lot of fun! God knows what's happened to sweet little Buster.

• Q

  

  Lee McCurley

  When is Gary going to get the others back for giving him so much crap and how?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Maybe he'll turn into a serial killer in Season 2. A True Blood/Veep mashup.

• Q

  

  Mike Marker

  What is one of the best parts of working with this cast?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Man, not only are the people I work with so gifted but they are all really cool people. There's a lot of ego in this business and I can honestly say, none of that exists in this group. And if it did, we'd slap em silly.

• Q

  

  Emily Giannusa

  Will Gary ever have a love interest on the show?

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  Tony Hale says:

  I think he thinks Selina is his love interest.

• Q

  

  Keith Wells

  Wil the President EVER call for Selina? :)

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  Tony Hale says:

  We'd all pass out if he did.

• Q

  

  CarlosDavidAgu4

  What do you love most about working at Veep?

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  Tony Hale says:

  It's one big playground for actors. Typically in television, you don't have much rehearsal time but with Veep, Armando Iannucci (the creator) truly values that time to find the characters relationships with each other and discover new things about each scene. it's a blast.

• Q

  

  MotoJo

  First, you are the bomb, Tony Hale. Second, did you run around with other body persons to prepare for the role?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Thanks! I did meet a body man who worked in Washington for a high profile politician when the body man was in his 20's. He had no social life...his life was pretty much 24/7 with his boss. The thing about my character is I should have left the job in my 20's but my identity is so wrapped up with Selina that if i left the job, I wouldn't know what to do with myself. Gary worships Selina.

• Q

  

  RenegadeAnon

  How do you feel your character compares to Buster Bluth from Arrested Development? Do you feel that you are similar to either of these characters in real life?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Buster was definitely more colorful than Gary but it's clear there's a similar anxiety struggle with each of them. However, if Buster was ever placed in any of Gary's political situations, I think he would have about 1000 psychotic breaks. But Gary definitely steps up to the plate when he needs to. They both have dysfunctional relationships with women in their lives but I think Buster needs to get out of the house a little bit. It's a challenge for him to get the mail.

• Q

  

  DayronLeon

  Where is Veep currently shot?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Baltimore. I'd never been and I love that place.

• Q

  

  Mike Marker

  What has been your favorite episode or scene to shoot thus far?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Both times where Gary took a bullet for the Veep...the sneeze bullet and breaking up with her boyfriend for her. Poor Gary.

• Q

  

  Richard Cochran

  The show is great - is JLD as much fun to work with as she seems? The cast seems to mesh together very well.

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  Tony Hale says:

  She is amazing. Not only is she so comedically gifted, she's such a cool person. I definitely have the hardest time not laughing on set. If anyone breaks the most, it's me.

• Q

  

  emrehard

  How much fun/not fun was it for your character to interact with your dad over the phone?

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  Tony Hale says:

  So fun. One of these days hopefully we'll meet Gary's dad on the show. I have a feeling he's really into fantasy football.

• Q

  

  Austin Harris

  Will we ever see the President?

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  Tony Hale says:

  I don't think so. And we'll also never know which party Selina is affiliated with.

• Q

  

  lsolares63

  Love the show! Will we ever know everything that's in your bag?? :)

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  Tony Hale says:

  Honestly, the bag is 25% water bottles and 75% unhealthy on-set snacks.

• Q

  

  Austin Harris

  Are the finished scenes in Veep exactly as they were scripted or are there some improvisation that makes it into the final cut?

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  Tony Hale says:

  A lot of both. It's really cool to see how the script morphs into what is finally shown. That's what's so great about Armando and his team...they're open to whatever happens in the process.

• Q

  

  sssross

  How do you manage to remember all of the information to whisper in Selina's ear?! :)

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  Tony Hale says:

  We'll soon find out that Gary is one of the X-men. It's his gift.

• Q

  

  Chris Esposito

  are you surprised of the cult following of arrested development? and how popular it has gotten within the last few years?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Always pleasantly surprised. I was such a fan of the show so it's great to hear people talking about it.

• Q

  

  Daniel Woody

  I love how the character is so well developed. Gary could easily be this caricature of weakness, but occasionally he shows some surprising tenacity. Will we see more sides to Gary this season?

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  Tony Hale says:

  I know. Last night he became somewhat of a love doctor between Ted and Selina. I'm expecting Season 2 reveals many more sides!

• Q

  

  ritamanla

  So how much is filmed on a studio seat and how much is on actual location in Baltimore like the Camden Yards episode?

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  Tony Hale says:

  All the Veep's offices are in a studio and everything else is filmed on location. The production designer, art department and props have done an amazing job making the environment look spot on.

• Q

  

  Austin Harris

  Have you worked with any of the Veep cast members before?

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  Tony Hale says:

  I have not. Julia did a few episodes of Arrested Development but I don't remember us having any scenes together.

• Q

  

  lsolares63

  So glad you didn't get fired on Ep. 7!!

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  Tony Hale says:

  Me too!! But I still think I would have stalked Selina and sent her daily gift baskets.

• Q

  

  Marv Daniels

  Hello Mr. Hale: How are you? I hope my message reaches you well... Will there ever be an episode where Gary and Jonah hang out and get to know each other better? They have a lot in common, y'know...

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  Tony Hale says:

  If Jonah and Gary ever grabbed a beer...I think Gary would leave feeling dirty.

• Q

  

  LeAnn Woodall

  Hi Tony! How do personally compare yourself to the characters of Buster and Gary?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Hi there! I definitely don't have Gary's memory...I can't remember something someone told me an hour ago. And I hope I don't have Buster's selection of phobias. But me, Gary and Buster are probably a little too gullible at times.

• Q

  

  Jason Hutchinson

  How many cat's does Gary own?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Too many to count!! And plus, Gary is allergic. So he has as many allergy medicines as he does cats.

• Q

  

  HBO

  Thanks to @MrTonyHale for joining us today. Any parting words before signing off?

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  Tony Hale says:

  Thanks for watching everybody! Were having a blast doing the show and we really appreciate the support!