Transcripts For KQEH Tavis Smiley 20170309 : vimarsana.com

And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Robert battle is the artistic director of the famed alvin aily American Dance theater since its founding in 1958. The aily company has gone too to perform for millions all over the world. The company on tour and if you are in the l. A. Area and can catch them through sunday at the dorothy channel pavilion you will not be disappointed. First a look at a clip of Kyle Abrahams untitled american which makes its west coast premiere tomorrow night dont try to fight dont let me go youve gone too far from what i know i lost my heart in the dark with you father, father, why you let me go i never have a greater appreciation for the human body than when im sitting if audience watching ailey on stage. Yes, i feel the same way. It is a beautiful thing. I feel the same thing. The wings are on stage. It takes me back to first time i saw that kind of beauty live and in person. Yeah. It was life changing. So youve been there almost six years now. They didnt kick you out of the building yet . No, they havent. Im flying under the radar. Yeah. Well, you have some big shoes to fill. Oh, yeah. But doing a good job. She said to say hello. Give her my love when you talk to her. I love, love, love her. Let me ask a strange question, ailey founded his company in 1958 always i said a moment ago. What does it mean to be a black Dance Company in this moment . All of these later, in this situation, alvin ailey in this moment for me . Think it is very interesting because history can often repeat itself. So we dont always find ourselves in such a different place than we think. Think of alvin ailey started the company on the brink of the Civil Rights Movement with a country in discord, and so we have a role to play. I mean if we take the lessons from the past, the lessons that great leaders like alvin ailey took, it is important we apply it now. We make sure were there on that precipice and we are sort of showing a reflection to society so people can see how beautiful they are ultimately. Thats our goal. Revelation is a long standing piece that people love. There would be a riot in the building if you didnt do that on any given night. Yes. But how are the pieces that the company is performing now . Situate those pieces in this moment. Yes. Well, we just saw a clip of untitled america by kyle abraham. Ma marvelous choreographer. It has to do with mass incarceration, the effects of incarceration on whole families. It is poignant about this time and place. Another hope by hope boykin, a Company Called revelation dream it was inspired by her visit to civil and human rights in atlanta, inspired by the words of dr. Martin luther king jr. I feel it is important we tell those stories, we shine a light on those issues of the day in hopes that we can learn something. Yeah. Ive been asking this question of every artist thats been on this show this year and i want to ask you the same question, which is what you see as the role of the artist in times like these . I mean you all are citizen artists. What is the role of the artist in moments like this . I think it is to appeal to our better angels. You know, even though we have to sometimes give a hard dosage of truth, the thing we learn from alvin ailey is that he was able to look at the issues of the day. A work that we brought back thats about apartheid and also the chicago riot, he was in some way able to tell us the truth but still be able to bring a diverse audience together, people who probably never would even imagine themselves in the same building. So i think it is important now that we tell those truths, now more than ever in a way. I feel that role is really critical for the artists. In the era of donald trump and you look in audiences, are you seeing the kind of diversity you have always seen at ailey performances . Absolutely. You know, i think that and you know what i see . That people really just need to get out. They want to get out. They want to be together. They want to look at each other, and they want to be up lifted, you know, think that always will be the case. Im not fearful of losing that because that is why im here. You know, i always wanted to be a preacher, but what i found in revelations when i saw alvin aileys masterpiece was the sermon i needed to hear, and so many other Million People always need to see that piece. I mean often im asked, you do it all the time, you know, dont you get sick of it . Well, we see the mona lisa for many years. Nobody has taken it down yet. Yeah, yeah. So i think now more than ever we need the arts to bring us together. We really do. I think it is critical, the work were doing. And doing an ailey performance, we are told to turn off our phones anyway. Alt least for two hours you wont get a cnn alert that scares you about what donald trump said. For a couple of hours you can be at peace. I said that, you didnt. I will own that. Okay. You mentioned a moment ago you wanted to be a preacher. Im laughing because my mother is watching hey, mom. She is watching in indiana as she watches every night. I think those were her hopes for me. Yes. I tell her all the time, i have a ministry, this is my ministry. We all have a work, i just dont think mine is standing behind a pull pit preaching someplace. Yes. You wanted to be a preacher . Yes. Why . I grew up in ame zion church, liblt city. My mother played piano for the church we went to. My great uncle who raise willed me was a deacon, so we were always in church. I didnt Pay Attention all the time until this one preacher, our presiding elder, he preached. You have know what i mean. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. And he jumped over the bannister and i was just i mean it just moved me to tears. I didnt even understand what i was hearing just what i was feeling, so i started imitating him at home because my grandfather would tape the sermons. I would put on my bath robe because you have to preach in a robe. You need a robe, yeah, yeah. And i would preach, and then i would take collection, too. I know you did that. Yeah, it was prepares me for what im doing now. And then go to the candy store. Exactly. It did prepare you. With ailey to keep this thing running, you got the raise money. Yes, yes. Thank god we have a wonderful board of directors. We have people who really support the company, so i dont have to beg too much. Yeah, thats a good thing. You mentioned liberty city, and liberty city is on the map. So is it Terrell Alvin Mccraney and barry jenkins. Yes. I was so happy to see them on stage at the academy awards, accepting that oscar for best adapted screen play. Yes. And then all of the hoopla at the end when they say la la land and somebody made a mistake and it was really moonlight and theyre back on the stage with the best picture. So barry and terrell and Robert Battle are all from the same neighborhood . Yeah. What do you make of that . Liberty city is on the map. This town, people know whats happening. We have robes, were preaching, doing all kinds of things. Yeah. I was just i really felt i was a part of that. I know i didnt make the film or do anything, i didnt act in it or anything, but i lived it. You know, i grew up in liberty city so i know the harsh truth and i know also the aspirations, you know. So for me it was really a wonderful thing where i felt this kinship. Im waiting on my oscar but, you know, im all right. Im all right. Didnt the company do a piece called moonlight . Yeah, ailey, we did a piece that was commissioned, inspired by the movie that i co choreographed. Jamal that reflect the character in the film. It is only a minute and a few seconds, but it seemed to capture everyones imagination online. So were happy about it. What does ailey do by way of allowing other folk who will never be on stage as part of ailey to take dance lessons or classes at your outfit in new york . Well, we have a Wonderful Program called ailey extension. We call it real classes for real people. So we have thousands of people who register and come in and take classes. This is why im hopeful for dance and for the arts. Thousands of people who after work, they come in no matter if theyve never danced before or they danced when they were young and they want to get back into it. The building reflects alvin aileys spirit. It is all glass. You can see inside, you can see outside. I think that is the reflex of the company, the blood that runs through the company, that sense of accessibility and openness. Thats what it is all about. So come one, come all. Tell me in the minute i have left, tell me about the tour the company is on this year. How is the tour coming along . The tour is going great. We were in miami, of course. My mother got to come to the performance. Thats the most important part. Your mama gets to see. We all want to make our mamas proud, dont we . It never changes and of course were happy to be here at the music center. The audiences here rock. We cant wait to give you all of the new work, and of course with revelations that never looked better. We are flying. Im anxious to get there. I will be there tomorrow night, wednesday. Yes. To see you got my tickets, right . Youre holding mill tickets . I gotcha. You know we always need to hook up, right . Yes. I know i aint from liberty city, but cant a brother get a hook up on some seats . If youre lucky enough, fortunate enough to be able to get a ticket to see ailey, theyre here in l. A. From the east coast. Theyre here in l. A. Through sunday. So if you get a chance to go see ailey do that. This is the director of alvin ailey, Robert Battle. Up next, actress michelle monaghan. Stay with us. Michelle monaghan is a talented actress whose film include the born, she is back on the small screen for season two of the path streaming on hulu. Before our conversation with michelle, here now seen from the past. There is so much need and injustice in this world, and im just sitting here in this big, warm comfortable house. We simply, according to our values, the fact that there are a few comforts here no, i need to do the work, not just learn about it, pray about it. Im glad you feel that way, hawk. I felt exactly the same way when i was your age. And you got to do it. You got to help build something new. Thats what the city center is now, and i want to be a part of it. Can i just say that we are doing important work at the compound, too. So your name came up not too long ago as a potential guest on the program. Were honored to have you here. Your name came up, somebody said, she is super creepy. Oh, god. Somebody said, my wife hates her. Somebody said, she is so evil. I know. I was like, oh, what a great guest. Lets have her back. You know what . My own mother has said some of those same things, you know. It is a really interesting character and there are elements and certain aspects of her that kind of rub people the wrong way, but for me, of course, as an act user thoor those are the love to tap boo. For those that may not have seen the path just yet, we have all of these wonderful, adoring compliments about your character. I will let you explain what this is. Okay. So im a part of something called the myris movement, it is essentially a fringe movement. It is completely fictional. Spiritual movement. Yeah, a spiritual movement, kind of derived from traditional aspects of various religions and kind of pulls from contemporary ideas and taps into mysticism a little bit. I am essentially the matriarch of the movement, and it is something i sort of know and im dogmatic. Im very, very convicted and therein lies the issues of her not be likable all the time. What is fascinating about the character, which you embody remarkably well, this is one way into a conversation about people who we know whose life is defined by and control by something they were born into. It is like they have no other way of seeing the world. They have no other prism. Whether one likes or loathes them, you have to acknowledge the fact that they are who they are because this is what they were raised in, all theyve ever been taught, what theyre defined by. And in some ways as annoying as it might be, as disruptive as that might be in relationship to other people, one also has to acknowledge that it is how you were raised. It is how you were raised. Yeah. And i find that, you know, the idea of spirituality and religion are definitely other faithbased faithbased movements, excuse me, is a very universal theme. It is very universal topic. I think it is nalt rtural for pe to want to sort of tap into some sort of sense of community where they feel supported and understood, and that they belong to a Likeminded Group of people. And so i think thats what makes for interesting story telling because there are a number of different Belief Systems out there and people have grown up with a lot of different ideas within their own homes. I find that thats whats interesting about the shows. It is sort of traditional and yet it is contemporary at the same time, and i find that audiences are tapping into that. I am interesting to see as this thing develops how your character specifically, a few others but mainly your character, how they get pushed to reexamine the assumptions they hold. Yes. How they are pushed to examine their inventory of their ideas, how they are pushed to see their world through different prisms, is that coming . Yes. That is what is wonderful about the show, you see these characters at different stages of their belief process. As i said, theyre in the stage of being very naive and dogmatic, which is where i might say im kind of coming from at this particular point, and then aaron paul who is a tremendous actor breaking bad. Breaking bad, yes, plays my husband who im separated from because he is a nonbeliever. We have ex communicated him. So it is interesting watching these characters develop and see them sort of kind of come into their own, come into their power and start to question the powers that be. As an actor, back to your earlier point, michelle, you take on these roles that are challenging, that are a little scary. Yes. Theyre outside of your box, i get all of that. But do you ever process how people perceive you and whether or not they lose sight of the fact that youre acting . Yeah. Well, no, 100 , 100 . Yeah, yeah. Really, i mean honestly it was a conversation i had with my own mom. My mom said, michelle and she used my middle name as well so i knew it was a big deal to her. She said, michelle lynn, i dont like you very much on the show. I said good, that means im doing my job. I think it is really interesting, and hopefully if im doing a good job, you know, there will be aspects that you dont identify with that make you uncomfortable about her. But at the same time, you know, my goal is to show also a vulnerable side and aspects of her where you kind of understand where shes coming from, and you understand that shes complicated and kind of, you know, a little bit you know, she is a lot conflicted, but she is struggling in her own right. I am hoping people will see those vulnerable sides as well. I want to detour if i can since you play a mom in the series and you referenced your mom. Tell me about your mom. My mom is an extraordinary woman. You know, she raised us. She was she raised us from home. She also ran a daycare out of her home for 40 years. Wow. Out of your home . Yeah, out of our home for 40 years. So you had kids running around everywhere. Absolutely. You had a hundred brothers and sisters. Yes, and we fostered many children growing up as well so we had a loud household. She is one of the most nurturing, beautiful women ive ever had and im so blessed to have her as my mom. Shes been the best example. Now you got me started. Yeah. What was that like growing up . I grew up with nine brothers and sisters. Yes. With was it like growing up in a house where there were all kinds of kids, i assume, who looked different, everybody is different of course. Uhhuh. But you have kids coming and going. You see all different stripes of humanity. What did that do for you, being exposed to that as a child . I mean it taught me so much gratitude and appreciation for the family that i was, you know, born into. My mom always told us i had two older brothers you have so blessed to be born into this family and this town, in this country. You know, you dont have a choice unfortunately, and so as a result of seeing the hardships of so many Young Children it certainly taught us gratitude and humility. Yeah. And it really taught us to be active in our own lives and try to be, you know, good citizens of the world. She wanted you to know how bhesed you were. Very blessed. Was it a spiritual environment . Yes. Were you raised in a particular faith tradition . Yes. I wont ask you to say what it is. Yes, yes, absolutely. Is there anything about that experience that you take to the yes. Okay. Because i was raised catholic and im not practicing catholic now. I would say im more spiritual. But what i took from that, which was so important, was just a strong sense of community. I did feel supported growing up. You know, as did my entire family, even my Foster Brothers and sisters. I think that is one of the greater aspects of religion or any kind of faith, is to know that in times of need or strive that you have a community that you can fall back on. Yeah. You said community. Dr. King had a famous phrased called the beloved community. Would you describe what we see in the path as the community that is as a beloved community, bewildered community . How would you describe the community . I would say a little bit of both. Yeah, yeah. You know, i think it is a beloved community. You know, one of the tenets of myrism is to help people in your own backyard and far off lands. I think they try to practice inclusivity but at the same time it kind of fall also into a gray area. So they start to become maybe a little bit exclusive. I think what is wonderful about this show is that, you know, you what you do for the greater good, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own morals and vice versa. So i think it is a little bit bewildering at times, but it is also we really act out of the intention of love. Yeah. Let me ask this question. It is a tricky question to ask and i hope i wont offend the producers of this show but you will take my point. Yes. I can see it is two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, given all of the talk and all of the documentaries and all of the books being written about things like this, just put it that way, that i can see generates a huge interest in the show. Yes. Which is a good thing. Yes. The flip side of that coin is that if people dont know how else to describe this yes. Or how else to relate to it, there are comparisons mailed to a show that is fictional. Yes. But it is being compared to stuff that is real. Yes. That could be tricky i would think . It can be tricky. Does it make sense . It does make sense and i understand that. I think because the show and the American Dance<\/a> theater since its founding in 1958. The aily company has gone too to perform for millions all over the world. The company on tour and if you are in the l. A. Area and can catch them through sunday at the dorothy channel pavilion you will not be disappointed. First a look at a clip of Kyle Abrahams<\/a> untitled american which makes its west coast premiere tomorrow night dont try to fight dont let me go youve gone too far from what i know i lost my heart in the dark with you father, father, why you let me go i never have a greater appreciation for the human body than when im sitting if audience watching ailey on stage. Yes, i feel the same way. It is a beautiful thing. I feel the same thing. The wings are on stage. It takes me back to first time i saw that kind of beauty live and in person. Yeah. It was life changing. So youve been there almost six years now. They didnt kick you out of the building yet . No, they havent. Im flying under the radar. Yeah. Well, you have some big shoes to fill. Oh, yeah. But doing a good job. She said to say hello. Give her my love when you talk to her. I love, love, love her. Let me ask a strange question, ailey founded his company in 1958 always i said a moment ago. What does it mean to be a black Dance Company<\/a> in this moment . All of these later, in this situation, alvin ailey in this moment for me . Think it is very interesting because history can often repeat itself. So we dont always find ourselves in such a different place than we think. Think of alvin ailey started the company on the brink of the Civil Rights Movement<\/a> with a country in discord, and so we have a role to play. I mean if we take the lessons from the past, the lessons that great leaders like alvin ailey took, it is important we apply it now. We make sure were there on that precipice and we are sort of showing a reflection to society so people can see how beautiful they are ultimately. Thats our goal. Revelation is a long standing piece that people love. There would be a riot in the building if you didnt do that on any given night. Yes. But how are the pieces that the company is performing now . Situate those pieces in this moment. Yes. Well, we just saw a clip of untitled america by kyle abraham. Ma marvelous choreographer. It has to do with mass incarceration, the effects of incarceration on whole families. It is poignant about this time and place. Another hope by hope boykin, a Company Called<\/a> revelation dream it was inspired by her visit to civil and human rights in atlanta, inspired by the words of dr. Martin luther king jr. I feel it is important we tell those stories, we shine a light on those issues of the day in hopes that we can learn something. Yeah. Ive been asking this question of every artist thats been on this show this year and i want to ask you the same question, which is what you see as the role of the artist in times like these . I mean you all are citizen artists. What is the role of the artist in moments like this . I think it is to appeal to our better angels. You know, even though we have to sometimes give a hard dosage of truth, the thing we learn from alvin ailey is that he was able to look at the issues of the day. A work that we brought back thats about apartheid and also the chicago riot, he was in some way able to tell us the truth but still be able to bring a diverse audience together, people who probably never would even imagine themselves in the same building. So i think it is important now that we tell those truths, now more than ever in a way. I feel that role is really critical for the artists. In the era of donald trump and you look in audiences, are you seeing the kind of diversity you have always seen at ailey performances . Absolutely. You know, i think that and you know what i see . That people really just need to get out. They want to get out. They want to be together. They want to look at each other, and they want to be up lifted, you know, think that always will be the case. Im not fearful of losing that because that is why im here. You know, i always wanted to be a preacher, but what i found in revelations when i saw alvin aileys masterpiece was the sermon i needed to hear, and so many other Million People<\/a> always need to see that piece. I mean often im asked, you do it all the time, you know, dont you get sick of it . Well, we see the mona lisa for many years. Nobody has taken it down yet. Yeah, yeah. So i think now more than ever we need the arts to bring us together. We really do. I think it is critical, the work were doing. And doing an ailey performance, we are told to turn off our phones anyway. Alt least for two hours you wont get a cnn alert that scares you about what donald trump said. For a couple of hours you can be at peace. I said that, you didnt. I will own that. Okay. You mentioned a moment ago you wanted to be a preacher. Im laughing because my mother is watching hey, mom. She is watching in indiana as she watches every night. I think those were her hopes for me. Yes. I tell her all the time, i have a ministry, this is my ministry. We all have a work, i just dont think mine is standing behind a pull pit preaching someplace. Yes. You wanted to be a preacher . Yes. Why . I grew up in ame zion church, liblt city. My mother played piano for the church we went to. My great uncle who raise willed me was a deacon, so we were always in church. I didnt Pay Attention<\/a> all the time until this one preacher, our presiding elder, he preached. You have know what i mean. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. And he jumped over the bannister and i was just i mean it just moved me to tears. I didnt even understand what i was hearing just what i was feeling, so i started imitating him at home because my grandfather would tape the sermons. I would put on my bath robe because you have to preach in a robe. You need a robe, yeah, yeah. And i would preach, and then i would take collection, too. I know you did that. Yeah, it was prepares me for what im doing now. And then go to the candy store. Exactly. It did prepare you. With ailey to keep this thing running, you got the raise money. Yes, yes. Thank god we have a wonderful board of directors. We have people who really support the company, so i dont have to beg too much. Yeah, thats a good thing. You mentioned liberty city, and liberty city is on the map. So is it Terrell Alvin Mccraney<\/a> and barry jenkins. Yes. I was so happy to see them on stage at the academy awards, accepting that oscar for best adapted screen play. Yes. And then all of the hoopla at the end when they say la la land and somebody made a mistake and it was really moonlight and theyre back on the stage with the best picture. So barry and terrell and Robert Battle<\/a> are all from the same neighborhood . Yeah. What do you make of that . Liberty city is on the map. This town, people know whats happening. We have robes, were preaching, doing all kinds of things. Yeah. I was just i really felt i was a part of that. I know i didnt make the film or do anything, i didnt act in it or anything, but i lived it. You know, i grew up in liberty city so i know the harsh truth and i know also the aspirations, you know. So for me it was really a wonderful thing where i felt this kinship. Im waiting on my oscar but, you know, im all right. Im all right. Didnt the company do a piece called moonlight . Yeah, ailey, we did a piece that was commissioned, inspired by the movie that i co choreographed. Jamal that reflect the character in the film. It is only a minute and a few seconds, but it seemed to capture everyones imagination online. So were happy about it. What does ailey do by way of allowing other folk who will never be on stage as part of ailey to take dance lessons or classes at your outfit in new york . Well, we have a Wonderful Program<\/a> called ailey extension. We call it real classes for real people. So we have thousands of people who register and come in and take classes. This is why im hopeful for dance and for the arts. Thousands of people who after work, they come in no matter if theyve never danced before or they danced when they were young and they want to get back into it. The building reflects alvin aileys spirit. It is all glass. You can see inside, you can see outside. I think that is the reflex of the company, the blood that runs through the company, that sense of accessibility and openness. Thats what it is all about. So come one, come all. Tell me in the minute i have left, tell me about the tour the company is on this year. How is the tour coming along . The tour is going great. We were in miami, of course. My mother got to come to the performance. Thats the most important part. Your mama gets to see. We all want to make our mamas proud, dont we . It never changes and of course were happy to be here at the music center. The audiences here rock. We cant wait to give you all of the new work, and of course with revelations that never looked better. We are flying. Im anxious to get there. I will be there tomorrow night, wednesday. Yes. To see you got my tickets, right . Youre holding mill tickets . I gotcha. You know we always need to hook up, right . Yes. I know i aint from liberty city, but cant a brother get a hook up on some seats . If youre lucky enough, fortunate enough to be able to get a ticket to see ailey, theyre here in l. A. From the east coast. Theyre here in l. A. Through sunday. So if you get a chance to go see ailey do that. This is the director of alvin ailey, Robert Battle<\/a>. Up next, actress michelle monaghan. Stay with us. Michelle monaghan is a talented actress whose film include the born, she is back on the small screen for season two of the path streaming on hulu. Before our conversation with michelle, here now seen from the past. There is so much need and injustice in this world, and im just sitting here in this big, warm comfortable house. We simply, according to our values, the fact that there are a few comforts here no, i need to do the work, not just learn about it, pray about it. Im glad you feel that way, hawk. I felt exactly the same way when i was your age. And you got to do it. You got to help build something new. Thats what the city center is now, and i want to be a part of it. Can i just say that we are doing important work at the compound, too. So your name came up not too long ago as a potential guest on the program. Were honored to have you here. Your name came up, somebody said, she is super creepy. Oh, god. Somebody said, my wife hates her. Somebody said, she is so evil. I know. I was like, oh, what a great guest. Lets have her back. You know what . My own mother has said some of those same things, you know. It is a really interesting character and there are elements and certain aspects of her that kind of rub people the wrong way, but for me, of course, as an act user thoor those are the love to tap boo. For those that may not have seen the path just yet, we have all of these wonderful, adoring compliments about your character. I will let you explain what this is. Okay. So im a part of something called the myris movement, it is essentially a fringe movement. It is completely fictional. Spiritual movement. Yeah, a spiritual movement, kind of derived from traditional aspects of various religions and kind of pulls from contemporary ideas and taps into mysticism a little bit. I am essentially the matriarch of the movement, and it is something i sort of know and im dogmatic. Im very, very convicted and therein lies the issues of her not be likable all the time. What is fascinating about the character, which you embody remarkably well, this is one way into a conversation about people who we know whose life is defined by and control by something they were born into. It is like they have no other way of seeing the world. They have no other prism. Whether one likes or loathes them, you have to acknowledge the fact that they are who they are because this is what they were raised in, all theyve ever been taught, what theyre defined by. And in some ways as annoying as it might be, as disruptive as that might be in relationship to other people, one also has to acknowledge that it is how you were raised. It is how you were raised. Yeah. And i find that, you know, the idea of spirituality and religion are definitely other faithbased faithbased movements, excuse me, is a very universal theme. It is very universal topic. I think it is nalt rtural for pe to want to sort of tap into some sort of sense of community where they feel supported and understood, and that they belong to a Likeminded Group<\/a> of people. And so i think thats what makes for interesting story telling because there are a number of different Belief Systems<\/a> out there and people have grown up with a lot of different ideas within their own homes. I find that thats whats interesting about the shows. It is sort of traditional and yet it is contemporary at the same time, and i find that audiences are tapping into that. I am interesting to see as this thing develops how your character specifically, a few others but mainly your character, how they get pushed to reexamine the assumptions they hold. Yes. How they are pushed to examine their inventory of their ideas, how they are pushed to see their world through different prisms, is that coming . Yes. That is what is wonderful about the show, you see these characters at different stages of their belief process. As i said, theyre in the stage of being very naive and dogmatic, which is where i might say im kind of coming from at this particular point, and then aaron paul who is a tremendous actor breaking bad. Breaking bad, yes, plays my husband who im separated from because he is a nonbeliever. We have ex communicated him. So it is interesting watching these characters develop and see them sort of kind of come into their own, come into their power and start to question the powers that be. As an actor, back to your earlier point, michelle, you take on these roles that are challenging, that are a little scary. Yes. Theyre outside of your box, i get all of that. But do you ever process how people perceive you and whether or not they lose sight of the fact that youre acting . Yeah. Well, no, 100 , 100 . Yeah, yeah. Really, i mean honestly it was a conversation i had with my own mom. My mom said, michelle and she used my middle name as well so i knew it was a big deal to her. She said, michelle lynn, i dont like you very much on the show. I said good, that means im doing my job. I think it is really interesting, and hopefully if im doing a good job, you know, there will be aspects that you dont identify with that make you uncomfortable about her. But at the same time, you know, my goal is to show also a vulnerable side and aspects of her where you kind of understand where shes coming from, and you understand that shes complicated and kind of, you know, a little bit you know, she is a lot conflicted, but she is struggling in her own right. I am hoping people will see those vulnerable sides as well. I want to detour if i can since you play a mom in the series and you referenced your mom. Tell me about your mom. My mom is an extraordinary woman. You know, she raised us. She was she raised us from home. She also ran a daycare out of her home for 40 years. Wow. Out of your home . Yeah, out of our home for 40 years. So you had kids running around everywhere. Absolutely. You had a hundred brothers and sisters. Yes, and we fostered many children growing up as well so we had a loud household. She is one of the most nurturing, beautiful women ive ever had and im so blessed to have her as my mom. Shes been the best example. Now you got me started. Yeah. What was that like growing up . I grew up with nine brothers and sisters. Yes. With was it like growing up in a house where there were all kinds of kids, i assume, who looked different, everybody is different of course. Uhhuh. But you have kids coming and going. You see all different stripes of humanity. What did that do for you, being exposed to that as a child . I mean it taught me so much gratitude and appreciation for the family that i was, you know, born into. My mom always told us i had two older brothers you have so blessed to be born into this family and this town, in this country. You know, you dont have a choice unfortunately, and so as a result of seeing the hardships of so many Young Children<\/a> it certainly taught us gratitude and humility. Yeah. And it really taught us to be active in our own lives and try to be, you know, good citizens of the world. She wanted you to know how bhesed you were. Very blessed. Was it a spiritual environment . Yes. Were you raised in a particular faith tradition . Yes. I wont ask you to say what it is. Yes, yes, absolutely. Is there anything about that experience that you take to the yes. Okay. Because i was raised catholic and im not practicing catholic now. I would say im more spiritual. But what i took from that, which was so important, was just a strong sense of community. I did feel supported growing up. You know, as did my entire family, even my Foster Brothers<\/a> and sisters. I think that is one of the greater aspects of religion or any kind of faith, is to know that in times of need or strive that you have a community that you can fall back on. Yeah. You said community. Dr. King had a famous phrased called the beloved community. Would you describe what we see in the path as the community that is as a beloved community, bewildered community . How would you describe the community . I would say a little bit of both. Yeah, yeah. You know, i think it is a beloved community. You know, one of the tenets of myrism is to help people in your own backyard and far off lands. I think they try to practice inclusivity but at the same time it kind of fall also into a gray area. So they start to become maybe a little bit exclusive. I think what is wonderful about this show is that, you know, you what you do for the greater good, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own morals and vice versa. So i think it is a little bit bewildering at times, but it is also we really act out of the intention of love. Yeah. Let me ask this question. It is a tricky question to ask and i hope i wont offend the producers of this show but you will take my point. Yes. I can see it is two sides of the same coin. On the one hand, given all of the talk and all of the documentaries and all of the books being written about things like this, just put it that way, that i can see generates a huge interest in the show. Yes. Which is a good thing. Yes. The flip side of that coin is that if people dont know how else to describe this yes. Or how else to relate to it, there are comparisons mailed to a show that is fictional. Yes. But it is being compared to stuff that is real. Yes. That could be tricky i would think . It can be tricky. Does it make sense . It does make sense and i understand that. I think because the show and the Actual Movement<\/a> itself isnt focused one, it is not really derived from just one idea, it kind of it tackles a lot of different themes and aspects of various different religions. So i think that it sort of works in that sense. Yeah. What is im getting aside, this is one of those Actors Studio<\/a> kind of things. Yeah. What is the personal challenge for you in embodying this character . What are you learning, being challenged to do . It is really interesting. I guess it is playing someone who is very sort of hard nosed. Yeah, yeah. Very convict. I would say, you know, i was sort of talking about it with a friend backstage, it has been an incredibly Creative Process<\/a> for me because im used to working in the environment of film where you kind of have the beginning, middle and end and you kind of know the arc of the character. In this particular case when you are working on a television show, you have 13 episodes to really develop a character. I think the challenge is sort of finding the arc and kind of the emotional journey of the character, and really being able to collaborate with the writers, and specifically our show runner jessica goldberg, she is an incredible woman, very talent. Thats been a journey, of really just being able to stay connect with her and seeing how the character develops. And theyve been really incredible by allowing myself and all of the actors really to have a hand in shaping who these people are, and so thats sort of the creative the creative challenge but also at the same time the most fulfilling ail expect of it as well. Sure. Im excited to see it in the coming weeks because what is fascinating, as i said earlier, is to see a series like this. Yes. And to know, at least or to hope that the character will be pushed to reexamine their own assumptions, given they were born into this, what that means for the way they see the world. Yes. And down the road. Im excited to see. Thank you. It is very, very important that you see all of the characters sort of grow emotionally. Sure. And it will be fun, i promise you that you will like it. Im looking forward tot. Speaking of you loving film, i was watching you for the umpteenth you and cruise running around in mission impossible. It is on some cable channel every night. It is always on, and i love it. When it is on i actually sit back and watch it for a few minutes. It is a fun film. It is a great film and i had a great time making it. It holds up. As do you. Thank you. Nice to see. Thank you. The project is called the math found on hulu, starring michelle monaghan. Thats our show for tonight. Thanks for watching. For more information on dids show, visit tavis smiley at pbs. Org. Hi, im tavis smiley, join me next time for a conversation with actor stephen fry. Thats next time. See you then. And by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. For several centuries, scotland was ruled from london. Parliament hadnt met here since 1707. Recently, the scots voted to bring their parliament home, and london didnt object. In the year 2000, edinburgh resumed its position as home of scotlands parliament. Scotlands strikingly modern Parliament Building<\/a> opened in 2004. The catalan architect Enric Miralles<\/a> mixed bold windows, wild angles, and organic themes into a startling complex that would, as he envisioned, surge from out of the rock and into the city. Today on americas test kitchen. Bridget shows julia the secrets to a spectacular cheese and tomato lasagna, jack challenges julia to a tasting of jarred anchovies, and keith makes bridget unforgettable garlic bread. Its all coming up right here on americas test kitchen. Americas test kitchen is brought to you by the following Fisher Paykel<\/a>. Since 1934, Fisher Paykel<\/a> has been designing","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia601506.us.archive.org\/10\/items\/KQEH_20170309_140000_Tavis_Smiley\/KQEH_20170309_140000_Tavis_Smiley.thumbs\/KQEH_20170309_140000_Tavis_Smiley_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240627T12:35:10+00:00"}