Pat: I'm actually sitting on the railroad tracks with William Shockley who
plays Hank. You know I've been watching you for years, William.
William: Have you? I"ve been watching you, too. (laughter)
P: I know. You've been in my living room. Did you know that? (laughter)
You're a flirt.
W: Well, that's my job.
P: That's your character and that's kinda how you are in real life, too?
W: I think it's nice to be nice.
P: You know, I think there's a car dealer in San Diego that has that as a
slogan.
W: Then I want some money. I want residuals. (laughter)
P: I love when you're Hank, you have that way of talking.
W: (in Hank's voice): Yes, that kinda laid-back way.
P: Is that something that you developed or something that the director
told you to be like?
W: Nah, I just kinda figured a guy who owned a saloon in 1870 probably was
sauced most of the day. (laughter) Don't you figure?
P: Yeah, I think you have a point there. How many years have you been on
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, William?
W: Since day one, so, we're going into year six.
P: It seems like it's a pretty laid-back set. People pretty close on this
cast?
W: Yeah, I mean, after half a decade you tend to be family, so to speak.
You're here 50, 60, 70 hours a week together so hopefully you like
everybody or at least most everybody.
P: Describe for me what a day is like on the set of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
W: Everyday starts different - in the morning, afternoon, or night.
There's no structure - that's why I like it like that.
P: It's so strong, it's doing so well.
W: That's true. I can't predict the future but I'm happy. Good ratings -
that helps.
P: That does help. You must get recognized all the time especially with
that long hair of yours.
W: Yeah, sometimes.
P: What kind of reaction do you get when you're...do you go to the grocery
store?
W: Sure I do. No, I don't eat. (laughter)
P: I thought you had somebody do that for you.
W: I think we have around 14 million viewers a week. Multiply that by 5
years, there's probably a couple of people that have tuned in. I think
most people are just surprised that I'm not a complete jerk like my
character sometimes is.
P: How would you describe yourself in real life?
W: In real life? I'm an average guy in an average life. I work from 9 to
5, hey, man, I pay the price. (laughter)
P: I wouldn't call you average. You're on one of the hottest rated shows
on television. You work with people like Jane Seymour, who I haven't had
the chance to talk to yet. Tell me about Jane.
W: I like Jane a lot.
P: What should I ask her that maybe I wouldn't know to ask her unless you
told me?
W: Ask her why she didn't fall for Hank Lawson. (laughter)
P: So, did you have crush on Jane Seymour?
W: Sure. Who hasn't? She's beautiful.
P: Yeah, she really is. She's a tiny little thing.
W: Tiny...little thing. (laughter)
P: William, if you had a chance would you actually go back and live in
this time period?
W: Um, no. Times were tough. People were truly dead in their mid 30's
just from the elements and disease. There was no control of...medicine
wasn't what it is today. Just think about getting from Colorado to
California in a stagecoach. Forget it. I'll take the red eye. (laughter)
P: Take the Concord. What do you think is the great appeal of the show?
W: It's really a show about what we, what America is lacking. It's truly
family, community, all those same things people that talk about but it is
true. Dr. Quinn, Mecidine Woman provides some time type of platform for
hope and family. And that's a good dose of medicine any day.
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