The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
Martin on the Colbert Show

tolktolk Lorien Dec 5 2012, 1:07pm Views: 1471 Martin on the Colbert Show Lots of fun - these two made a great double act. This is an international link, though I think Americans can see the show on its own site: http://vidbull.com/of0zejcs45a4

Lauryn Bree Dec 5 2012, 1:14pm Views: 908 It's a riot! Loved it! You can skip forward to just passed the 14 minute mark for the interview!

shadowdog Rohan Dec 5 2012, 3:06pm Views: 773 He was also on David Letterman and they showed a clip from Bilbo and Gollum. That scene is going to blow us out of the theater. WOW

Sinister71 Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 3:31pm Views: 788 was stunk about Letterman was he had Matt Damon on there for like 20 minutes and we get a whole whopping 10 minutes at most with Freeman. should have been the other way around IMO

Magpie Immortal Dec 5 2012, 3:53pm Views: 762 to be honest... I think Damon is more entertaining - as an actor promoting a movie - than Freeman. Martin came off a bit flat in both the Letterman show and the Today show (where, again, Damon got considerably more time on air than Freeman and sat down in the studio whereas Freeman showed up outside and appeared only a few minutes). There could be lots of reasons why he isn't as entertaining on these talk shows as other actors are... lots of actors are spectacular when they're acting and not so entertaining as themselves. Or they might be exhausted from all the press interviews. Or they might not connect with the host. (I don't think much of either the Today show - especially the outside segments - or David Letterman. I'm curious to go watch the Colbert segment to see how he did.) But there wasn't anything about either of those appearances that makes me want to see the Hobbit and I already want to see the Hobbit. I could easily believe that staffers from those shows sussed up Freeman's entertainment potential before air time and decided how much time to give him from that assessment. Also, these actors are contracted to make these appearances and not all want to do it. It may be that Martin didn't want to appear longer than necessary. I just watched Elijah on Live with Kelly and Michael and he knows the game to play on these shows. Bright and engaging. edit to add: watching Colbert now and Martin is considerably more engaged with Colbert than he was with Today and Letterman. I blame it on the hosts of those previous shows. Like I said, I don't think much of either. LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide (This post was edited by Magpie on Dec 5 2012, 3:58pm)

Sinister71 Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 3:58pm Views: 695 yeah I will agree Magpie it did appear that Freeman really wasn't into it, and I know they have contracts that make them do these things... maybe they should have gotten Armitage since the interviews I have seen with him, he seems to genuinely like doing them and is very proud of what he has done in the Hobbit. (Not that Freeman isn't)

Magpie Immortal Dec 5 2012, 3:59pm Views: 689 I just edited my comments with new thoughts upon watching Colbert, sinister //   LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide

shadowdog Rohan Dec 5 2012, 3:59pm Views: 697 Well Damon and Elijah are used to this routine,. This is the first time poor Freeman has been thrust into such a promotion frenzy. He is probably a little overwhelmed and very tired from all the travel.

Sinister71 Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 4:17pm Views: 648 Haven't seen the others yet I have Colbert n the DVR just haven't watched it and I missed him on the good morning show or which ever one it was

sauget.diblosio Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 4:20pm Views: 711 Martin Freeman strikes me as a more private person (and says as much in interviews) who doesn't really like being a cog in the publicity machine, and is fairly cagey in interviews. He's still usually funny, though, just a bit put off (he had that great line about LOTR toys on Colbert: "legless Lego Legolas"). He does better when he appears with his co-stars, as in the Wellington premiere day interviews he did with Richard Armitage and Andy Serkis. My guess is that he'll be better at this whole thing next time around with The Desolation of Smaug.

Magpie Immortal Dec 5 2012, 4:22pm Views: 659 The Today show segment is available online... ...but frankly, it's not worth watching and not worth my going and digging out the link again. :-/ If someone wants to watch it, just googled Today show NBC - and look through the Dec 4th segments. The Letterman appearance might be online, as well. I haven't looked. LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide

Magpie Immortal Dec 5 2012, 4:27pm Views: 645 I agree Additionally, I think he's fairly 'British' in demeanor - in ways I can't articulate so don't ask me to! - and that doesn't mesh well with all US hosts' personalities and the sort of humor they rely on for their show. I also wonder if someone like Letterman just lets his own interests influence how well he tries to engage his guests. I sometimes think it's pretty clear what things or people Letterman likes or doesn't like and fantasy isn't everyone's cup of tea. Or coffee... to make it less British! I could easily see Letterman kind of mentally dismissing this movie and therefore not being terribly interested in the actors. But all of this: in regards to both Martin and David is all speculation. I also agree that they will get used to this after this movie. Or grow to hate it even more. :-) LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery TORn History Mathom-house ~ Torn Image Posting Guide

sauget.diblosio Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 4:48pm Views: 629 M. Freeman on Dave As a fan of Dave's since his early days on NBC in the 80s (don't watch him much these days though), you can definitely tell when Dave's actually interested in the guest or what the guest is peddling. With someone like Paris Hilton he can be downright dismissive. I haven't seen Martin Freeman's spot yet, but my guess is that Dave was respectful and polite if slightly disinterested; but if Martin managed to make him laugh, then he would definitely perk up-- he loves it when the guest brings something to the table.

Tim Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 5:44pm Views: 573 Not a Colbert fan, but made this one exception Quite a funny interview enjoyed it quite a bit. Arthur: What manner of man are you that can summon up fire without flint or tinder? Tim: I... am an enchanter. Arthur: By what name are you known? Tim: There are some who call me... 'Tim'...? Arthur: ...greetings, Tim the Enchanter.

BrandonMata Registered User Dec 5 2012, 5:55pm Views: 556 I agree that Dave ... can be completely disinterested at times, but after watching this clip http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/video/2312581871/david-letterman-martin-freeman-s-hobbit-journey I really believe that he was trying to engage on a more "serious" level (if that is the proper term) with Martin. The questions about acting against technology and such really do peel back a layer that Dave's audience (not necessarily a large group of Tolkien fans; geeks; fantasy lovers; etc) would appreciate and allowed Martin to speak to his passion for the story being the most important aspect of any work.

sauget.diblosio Tol Eressea Dec 5 2012, 9:32pm Views: 440 Yeah, that was a good Letterman clip. They did a good job of explaining it all to Mr. and Mrs. Ticketbuyer (ha ha).

Ziggy Stardust Gondor Dec 6 2012, 1:57am Views: 394 I thought so too! It was the only time I watched David Letterman. I stayed up to see Martin Freeman and for like 20 minutes it was Matt Damon, and then 10 minutes of Martin Freeman, whom I really wanted to see. I wanted to 20 minutes of Martin. (I muted the TV when Damon came on and read until Martin came on.)

Ziggy Stardust Gondor Dec 6 2012, 2:06am Views: 396 It's probably Letterman himself I don't care for the Today Show or David Letterman (like I said, this was the only time I watched David Letterman), and I think it was just Letterman himself that was probably the problem, and Martin Freeman's disinterest. I've seen other interviews with Freeman, and he's more engaging and 'perky'. He looked like he didn't really want to be there last night (and who can blame him, Letterman's...unappealing.) Colbert, I don't watch him, but he's more lively and friendly.

totoro Lorien Dec 10 2012, 3:57am Views: 339 Lol. Finally saw it. nt