Continued from previous page...

Matt and Robert Hall at the PBPLA 2002

Like many of his co-workers, Matt had heard of Buffy and Angel before he auditioned for his part but did not know what a role on the series would entail. However, without a ny form of representation prior to his audition, it was destiny that drew Matt to the show. "I didn't even have an agent or a manager at the time. I knew the Buffy show, so I knew what that was, and when I went in to read I didn't know [about Merl being a demon] until they said, 'Hey, do you mind being in makeup?" and I said, 'No put me in whatever, I don't care'. I didn't know going in that it was going to be a weird creature." Luckily, Matt got to avoid much of the painfully long process that normally accompanies an audition, "I met the casting assistant, Loni Hammond. She just called me in and I read for the producers right away. It was really just one audition, that was it." Apparently Matt was the shining personification of Merl. "Yeah, you know, that's how it is. Once they saw Merl -- they knew Merl right away, they didn't need anything else," he jokes with a laugh. Like many of the characters in the world of Angel, Matt was unsure whether his character would be reoccurring or not. "They didn't tell me anything. I guess they liked it, you know on these shows when they don't kill you off there's always a chance. But I didn't know, [coming back] was nice though, a nice surprise."

"Merl lives in the hearts of every Angel fan and he will forever and ever." ~ Matt

Along with the exceptional talent that encompass its highly gifted cast and crew, the producers of Angel always manage to find a way to bring those undisclosed skills to the foreground. In a previous CityofAngel.com interview, Robert Hall mentioned that Matt had previously been involved in the New York music scene. "For a little while, playing guitar and bass. I've had a bunch of bands in New York," Matt confesses. "I played a bunch of places in the city, but I haven't done it out here for a while, three years or so. I like to rock and roll, heavy rock and roll. They don't have too many [Heavy R&R bands] here actually, maybe Rob and I will start something up. We're starting to get some space downtown so maybe we'll do that," he confides. It is an odd coincidence that so many of the actors in Joss Whedon's camp are musically inclined. "Well, you know you've got to have a hobby with this type of thing you do. There's so much waiting around you might as well have a guitar in your hand and be able to play something," says Matt. However, despite being partial to the stage, Matt was very glad Merl did not sing at Caritas. "No, please! I leave that all up to Andy [ Hallett], he handles that pretty good. I don't need to do anything, although I'm sure I could carry a tune," he laughs. The singing at Caritas does tend to revolve around humiliation. The actors are usually asked to sing, "just to goof on them," as Matt notes. "Well, I probably could have shown a few moves. I've got a couple dance moves I like to bust out every once in awhile. But when I do I like to get naked usually so I don't know how that would work up there," jokes Matt. "The whole body would have to be painted green and it'd be kind of ' ehhh', I don't know, things could happen."

Another Scooby and Future Works

Matthew as the new Scooby - Shaggy & Buffy co-star Marc Blucas

Happily for his fans, Matt has been involved in other projects besides Angel. Recently he played the role of Shaggy in a scene spoofed from the Kevin Smith film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Marc Blucas (Riley Finn from Buffy) was also in that scene, but Matt did not know he had worked on Buffy! "That's right, Buffy's are everywhere. I had no clue. To this day I had no clue," he laughs. "He didn't tell me, but then he probably didn't know that I was on the other show. There's no Buffy and Angel, or at least I'm not getting invited to any of these Buffy and Angel get-togethers," he continues to joke. "Buffy is another world to me." Eliza Dushku who played Faith on both series also starred in the film. "She was in that and I never met the girl. Never met the girl once, I heard she's a nice girl though," Matt adds. "She's a hell of a kid. I hear good things about her." Kevin Smith is notorious for pushing the limits with his films and thus must be very interesting to work with. Cult classics such as Mallrats and Clerks, are favorites among fans due to their witty, inquisitive dialogue. "The scenes were fun. We had a mechanical dog and a real dog. It actually was supposed to be a really wild scene but they just cut it down. There was suppose to be a lot of sex going on but I guess because of the characters they couldn't actually do that type of thing. Even that guy's got to tame up his stuff sometimes, what can you do." Matt admits, "It was a good time."

Leaving the goo splattered walls of Merl's remains behind him, Matt has moved on to bigger and better things. Unfortunately these projects are being held close to his vest at the moment, "Now that Merl's dead I'm recovering. Just working on some of my own projects because I keep busy. I'm focused on the acting, working in film." Like Andy Hallet before him, Matt would like to get his face known around town without the green spots and scales, "I'm a hell of a guy!" he laughs. " I'd like to be seen without the makeup on. You see, nobody knows who I am. I get no benefits on being Merl, nobody know. He's [Andy] working it though, he goes off and does conventions. He works it a lot better," Matt jokes. Matt attended the 5th Annual Buffy Posting Board Party this February, "Oh, I'm there, forget about it! You're sure they're not going to hassle me at the door or anything?" Although fans may have been a bit hesitant to recognize the face when they first saw him, there was no mistaking the voice! Matt was a big hit at the party and enjoyed meeting everyone.

In closing on this most enjoyable interview, we have to point out that the success of a series is not only recognized on its merits of creative writing and brilliant direction, and secondary characters define a show just as much as the regulars. Matthew offered fans a light-hearted, enjoyable character whose antics produced some unforgettable moments. Even though Merl has been vaporized beyond repair, his memory has been permanently etched in the history books of Angel. Besides, have you ever tried to get those stains out of the carpet? And in typical fashion we quote Matt as he reflects on the matter, "Merl lives in the hearts of every Angel fan and he will forever and ever." Cry not fellow Merl-ites, "He just doesn't die, I hear there is talk of a Merl feature, or maybe a spin-off type show. Merl and a twin brother without the makeup on." Merl in New York perhaps? Well, probably not, but we can always hope.

Written by CoA Staff Writer, Jeff Ritchie

CityofAngel.com would like to extend our Utmost Appreciation to Matthew James for sharing his time and humor with us.

Special Thanks to Robert Hall for giving up his friend and removing the jacket.

And CoA Props to Darren Danforth for knowing when to say, "Yes!"

If you have any comments for CityofAngel.com regarding this 'Spotlight' feature, we would love to hear from you. Just email us at: comments@CityofAngel.com