The following is an interview with Jim Piddock done by Mathew Ignash the week the Angel episode The Trial first aired. Jim played the part of the valet on the show. > 1. I've discovered many actors on Buffy or Angel have read for other parts on the show before landing the roles they received (Charisma Carpenter read for the part of Buffy, for instance). Have you ever read for a part on Buffy or Angel before, and if so which part? Yes. If my memory serves me correctly, I read for the part of a doctor treating Buffy's mother, earlier this season. > hmmm. There have actually been several doctors treating Buffy's mother this season. Charlie Webber played a reoccuring intern named Ben in Out Of My Mind (episode 4 this season). There were other doctors later in the season who also saw Joyce. You wouldn't know what episode or what the actually said or did do you? That was it, I think. Ben. > 2. Have you ever appeared in a television commercials we might recognize you from? I haven't appeared in any tv commercials for some time, but in the past I've been seen as the spokesman for Sanka and CompUSA. I currently do voice-overs for tv and radio commercials, a number of which are probably playing right now. > 3. When did you shoot this episode? I shot the episode across the last week and a half of October. > 4. What other people did you meet (actors and crew) and what impressions did they make on you? I worked exclusively with David (Boreanaz) and Julie (Benz), who were both delightful. David was tremendously supportive and welcoming, and has a great sense of humor. And Julie is one of the most beautiful and gracious actresses I've had the pleasure of working with. I also enjoyed working with Bruce Seth Green, the director, and we shared our various experiences of working in Europe over lunch one day. (I recently wrote and produced a sitcom that just aired in England). It was also interesting comparing the different shooting schedules for half-hour comedies and 1 hour dramas. Mostly, I've tended to do half-hours, which is a substantially easier schedule. The crew, in general, were extremely friendly and welcoming, which always makes life easier for a guest actor. It probably helped that I currently had a movie out ("Best In Show"), which a lot of people had seen (and enjoyed, thankfully!) as that gave me kind of an informal introduction to everyone. > 5. In the episode you were in they never seem to mention your character's name, I've been calling him "Trial Overseer". Do you recall the script giving the character a name or title? Yes. In the script, I was called "The Valet". But you'd have to check the end credits of the episode to see if that was retained. > 6. I looked through your filmography. An impressive list, I remember several of those characters. I was an old fan of Max Headroom, which I see it has listed but doesn't have a name of a character you played. Could you tell me who you played in it? I'm afraid I don't remember the character's name, but I was a recurring villain, along with two American Asian accomplices (I remember Sab Shimono played one of them). The series, which was very expensive in those days, was actually cancelled in the middle of my second episode, believe it or not. I remember being on top of a skyscraper in downtown Los Angeles, shooting a scene where I disembarked from a helicopter. The director came over and told we wouldn't be doing a second take because the plug was being pulled right then and there! Fortunately, that experience was a first and a last for me. > 7. Would you want to appear on Angel or Buffy again playing the same character? Playing a different character? Sure. If it was something I feel I'd have fun doing. I had a good experience doing "Angel" and found the cast and crew very easy-going and friendly. > 8. Did you watch Buffy The Vampire Slayer or Angel regularly? Will you in the future? I didn't, but probably will now. They're both very good shows. > 9. Have you seen your episode? What did you think of it? (Feel free to write a long answer, I'd like to place it in the "Points Of View" section of the review.) I did see the Episode. I liked it very much. There seemed to be a nice blend of action and dialogue scenes, and the show seems to be able to expertly walk the fine line between comedy and drama throughout, preventing it from ever lapsing into melodrama. > 10. Have you read through our site? What do you think of it? I think the site is remarkable. The detail of the research and breadth of knowledge about the show amazed me. > 11. A little off topic (sorry) but there was a vampire character in the episode who had a speaking roll. Darla tries to get him to make her into a vampire, Angel slays him. They don't mention his name his name or the actor's name. I don't suppose you know it or have it in your script? Yes, I do. The character's was called "Shempire" and was played by Evan Arnold. > Our site tries to provide a lot of detail and inside information. Feel free to sign the guestbook. We've added a link to your web page within the Famous Faces section of "The Trial" review, I hope that is acceptable. Of course. > Thanks much, I look forward to any answers you can provide. Thank you. I hope this has been of some help. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else. Best wishes, JIM