I’m your nerd host, Chris Hardwick
Nerdist is a place where we nerds come together and share the nerdery that we find. It's also my home to various elements of the Nerdist Empire. You might recognize me from TV. You don't realize that's where you know me from, but it is. You think you went to college with me or I look like your cousin's friend, but that is not the case. At one time or another you stumbled upon me on your moving picture box in such cerebral gems as MTV's "Singled Out" and Noam Chomsky's "Shipmates." and so much more...
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He’s so sweet and unassuming for a man who is so intensely terrifying…
I was named after his character on Lost.
True fact.
He could always get a job doing voice-over as the “G-Man” in Half-Life sequels.
@Ben Clarkson: So you’re either a seasoned time traveler, or five years old?
What a great episode. I had no idea Emerson was an illustrator-turned-actor. As an actor-turned-illustrator, I really enjoyed hearing him talk about the crossovers.
I didn’t come to a brothel, Hardwick! I don’t like this filth and disgust on one week. I mean, two instantaneous nerdgasms in a week and it’s only wednesday, Come ON!!!!
Awesome get Our Lord and Master, Hardwick.
Listening commence!!!!
There are no words for how hard I would watch Michael Emerhouse.
Michael would make a great Hal 9000 if they ever decided to remake 2001.
Michael sounds like Tom Lehrer. What kind of accent is that that pops up now and then in his speech?
Has he ever done an audiobook? My wife would buy it. No matter what the subject.
Awesome, can’t wait to listen to it. I wonder if he tried to manipulate you by finding out what you are emotionally invested in, and exploited it?
…why are you whispering…?
Sometimes I say normal things in his Ben voice to my wife. “No honey, I didn’t put the GARBAGE out…not yet anyways.” (Cue spooky LOST reveal SFX)
True story.
Fabulous interview.
But Chris, it made me so sad when you mentioned your dog, and him not getting to live with you anymore. I hope you get to see him sometimes. Steve, right? (I seem to remember acute video of Steve being completely in love with a visiting dog, or something like that). Anyway… hope you get to have a lifestyle where you can have a pet again at some point (if you want that, of course).
My parents are seasoned time travelers.
Aw! Poor Chris sounds like he has a cold!
Just finished listening and, yeah, I can see what Emerson means about doing the opposite of what a scene would call for to create a sinister undertone. That sort of thing works with music, like that really discordant carousel song on “The Lost Boys” soundtrack – instead of being a happy little tune, this one makes you want to GTFO of the area (listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O_NYy5vqX4 ). And between his cold and Scott the Dog’s absence, I wanted to reach into the computer and give Chris a hug and some hot cocoa! Take a day off and just veg with some orange juice and chicken broth!
I almost never comment on the podcasts, I love them all so much. Michael Emerson? This is a man who’s acting I love so much that I commented on it on live radio a couple times. Such a sweet man, and such an amazing actor.. Kudos, Chris, for having him on…
I just watched The Descendants a couple weeks ago, and I loved all the talk about Hawaii. Especially Jonah. I’ve never been, and even if I do go, I’ll be there as a tourist, so it’s very cool to hear people who’ve spent so much time there talking about such an interesting place.
For me, Chris talking about bowling, Jonah talking about Hawaii, and Matt talking about the funeral home–super interesting, surprising stuff that I love on this podcast.
Great episode, best since Maron or TMBG. I’ve got a huge crush on Michael Emerson. Benjamin Linus was my absolute favorite character in LOST, such a complex, fascinating character portrayed by a brilliant actor (doubly brilliant in scenes with Terry O’Quinn, Holy shit balls those two are awesome!). I loved the part about approaching acting like a musical instrument and playing the opposite of what the scene appears to demand with abstract interpretations of characters and situations, super-interesting stuff.
Scott S – YES! I’ve always thought his voice was similar to Tom Lehrer’s!
So it turns out Michael Emerson and I have the exact same philosophy on work even though I’m a graphic designer. I’ve literally used the same ‘tradesmen’ ‘problem-solving’ metaphor. Maybe cause I was also an illustration major and am from the Midwest.
God I love Michael Emerson even more now.
Man, do I ever have a crush on Michael Emerson, and I’m so proud that he’s from my native Iowa (so I wonder where he got that Tom Lehrer accent? Maybe that’s just how they talk in the sophisticated metropolis of Cedar Rapids). Great interview.
Brilliante magnifico.
That was a good interview.
“Kids will make you tender; Dogs will make you tender.”
Not the kids and dogs I’ve come across. I used to feel more tender towards people and dogs, but after years of being bullied by children and chased down the street by people’s barking dogs, I’m not too fond of them, anymore.
I suppose I’d feel differently if I’d lived around upper class people who’d taught their children to not be rude to people and bothered to spend money to train their dogs not to bark and chase people.
Michael has rare integrity and ability to immerse himself in a character. I wish he had a more sympathetic DP in Person of Interest. In LOST he was lighted to be much more handsome!
Person of Interest has been super for me, I think the most intelligent, coherent and creative offspring of the writers of LOST. By gosh, it’s almost about something actual and real in our lives.
Fantastic interview. He comes across as the type of person you’d want to have a dinner party with.
I would love to see his illustrative work.
Thanks for uploading, made my day.