There would be three after all; just not like they had planned.
It’s amazing the older you get, the more open to having them you are.
Now let’s back up, actually, to the beginning.
Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBC
The pilot script forThis Is Uscomes your way.
You read the part of Dr. K. What are your first thoughts?
What intrigued you about this role?What a great role it was to begin with.
When I first read that, it was like, “Gee!
Who do I have to pay for this?”
“What a great line!
It’s an interesting use on words, because the doctor doesn’t say turn itintolemonade.
Life isn’t all bunnies and rainbows.No.
By the way, do waiters bring you free lemonades when you go out to eat now?
Is it free lemonades for life?No.
I don’t get lemonade anywhere.
Are you not a fan?No, I love lemonade!
I make my own!
Dr. K returned in the fall finale and barely survived that very critical surgery.
Were you surprised that they brought you back again?
Were you thinking, “They may have me back once or twice”?
But I had no idea what that might be, and then what it might entail for me.
Were you asking them, “Well, what will my fate be?“No.
I mean, that would be ridiculous!
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Let’s talk about this week’s episode.
What was the moment from the episode that gutted you the most?
Obviously, his breakdown at the gravesite ranked up there with all the Kleenex moments on the show.
He could have been talking to his wife, and then it’s revealed that there’s nobody there.
NEXT: McRaney on shooting the graveyard scene: “I don’t know how people deal with that.
I really don’t.”
Let’s go back to the gravesite.
What do you remember about shooting that scene?
But I don’t know if I would be capable ofspeechat that point.
I don’t know how people deal with that.
I really don’t.
Dr. K is stubborn and a tinge cranky, but there’s something avuncular and wise about him.
I think people are tired of the cynicism…
He has to get on with what it is that he does.
He’s a physician.
You could tell in the pilot that he’d had some loss.
And he talked about it a little bit.
But we didn’t know the extent of the pain that Dr. K was in.Right.
I don’t think he would have ever revealed that toanyone.
You’re known for many different roles.
That’s high praise.
(Laughs) Fortunately, not.
If they don’t, I don’t think they would’ve survived medical school and internship.
But a little of that wears off as you’re dragged down the road practicing medicine.
you could’t stay cocksure for very long in that racket, I don’t think.
It’s good stuff to explore.
And given the format of this show, you could doanything.
Have you already talked with Dan about another return for Dr. K this season?
I know you’re busy with24: Legacy.No.
I haven’t talked to him about it.
But you’ll take that call whenever you might fit it?Oh, absolutely!
I’m not a complete fool.
Will you be back onHouse of Cards?I have no idea.
Again, that’s one of those things that if they write it, I will be there.
Do you have a dream Dr. K scene in your head that you’d love to do?
To read a Q&A with Mandy Moore about Tuesday’s episode,click here.
