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« Prison Break Blog
Season 2, Week 7
Howdy,
I'm starting to speak like a Texan now. I spent my high school and college years in Tulsey Town and I am being re-indoctrinated by the Southern speakers. My accent is comin' back... yee-haw.
I think this week I'll answer some Prison Break questions posed in your comments, and then write a little more "actor's life for me" stuff.
Someone asked if the writers have the show all mapped out or if they wing it episode by episode.
Honestly, I don't really know 'cause I haven't asked. It seems like the writers have a master plan. I am sure Paul Scheuring and Matt Olmstead are not just winging it "ep to ep."
One of the fascinating and wonderful parts about Prison Break is that everything pays off. Sometimes the payoff takes 10 episodes to unfold, or 22 like last year, when they actually did escape... thus the title paid off (a little too long for some viewers, I've heard). Also, stuff like the origami crane and the tattoo — which, unfortunately for Wentworth, keeps paying off — and on and on. I think it would be crazy hard to orchestrate all the hints, clues and red herrings that eventually lead to a heart-thumping or tear-jerking climax without a little preconception. That's a five-syllable word. I think I just made it up.
What is it about Michael that Bellick hates?
He's tall, smart and pretty. That's enough.
What about Bellick and Nika?
What red-blooded son of an American doesn't want a hot Russian babe? Holly's actually Australian and has an Aussie accent. Look her up; she's a pop star in Europe! I don't know what will happen with Bellick and Nika. She's sure pissed at Michael, and he deserves it. I hope somebody unties me or I'm out of a job!
My job. The dream of most actors I know is to get a job acting. I have been fortunate to have gotten a few gigs and been able to make a modest living doing what I like to do.
So I'll pick up where I left off:
The first acting job I had was at Discoveryland in Oklahoma, where they still do a great outdoor production of Oklahoma complete with quarter horses and a surrey with a fringe on top. I played Judd to Duane Jeffer's Curly. It was, and still is, a great production helmed by Bill Jeffers, a wonderful director. If you're in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the summer months, don't miss it.
After graduation from T.U., I was afraid to go to New York, so I stayed where I was comfortable — in school. I went to auditions to get into graduate acting programs. There are a bunch of schools that offer postgraduate degrees in theater arts. I have always been a fan of music and of musical theater especially. I think the combination of great story, music, lyrics and acting performance is the most effective and cathartic for me. I loved musical theater, but just listening to a pretty voice and looking at a pretty face never held my attention more than 16 measures. What always nailed me were great actors who could tell a story and sing, too. That's why I chose to go to a graduate acting program, so hopefully I could learn to act. I got into a few different programs and eventually decided on Rutgers University's MFA program because I liked Bill Esper when I met him at the audition. I thought he was a sincere, regular guy. Little did I know that he was one of the premier acting teachers in the country. Again, "destiny." I liked the idea of singing and acting as one and the same thing, just a different reality. So all through graduate school I studied and performed with the graduate opera program and in the MFA acting program at Rutgers University, in the Mason Gross School of the Arts.
I was studying at Rutgers, acting and singing from 1987 to 1990, when I graduated and finally moved to the theater mecca, the great Broadway... NYC.
Next time: Wade in Manhattan.
Don't miss all-new episodes of Prison Break, Mondays at 8 pm/ET on Fox.
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Oct 1, 2006 10:06 AM
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Hi Wade,
I'm from Belgium, Europe and I also love the show.
The storyline is really exciting and I am always waiting impatiently to see the next episode. It's really the best show I've seen lately.
Congratulations to all the actors, on their great acting performances, and to the writers and the crew, on making such a good show.
I read the Prison Break cast will be at MIPCOM in Cannes next week. I wish I could go too 
Keep up the great work! and I'll keep reading your blog. It's really nice you are making time for this. Oops, I said 'nice'.
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Oct 1, 2006 10:44 AM
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Is season 2 still in production or is the crew and cast taking a break before season 3 (if there will be a season 3)?
We'll have to wait much longer now for new episodes so I hope in meanwhile, you will still be writing this blog. Let's build up the tension...
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Oct 1, 2006 10:45 AM
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Hi Wade,
When are we going to see you on Prison Break? I hope she untied you and your back on the trail.
Keep the blog up- really enjoying reading them.
Aileen
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Oct 2, 2006 8:34 AM
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Hi Wade,
I saw "Oklahoma" in Oklahoma. I don't remember where it was, but it was outside and horses were actually used. It would have been the summer of 1988 I believe.
Thank you for doing this blog. You are a much nicer guy than Bellick.
BTW, do you dip your fries in milkshakes as well or is that just a Bellickism?
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Oct 2, 2006 9:30 AM
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Hi Wade,
I think it's great that you take time to blog for us fans--thanks! We're all loving the show--keep up the great work!
I also wanted to say thanks for admitting that you were afraid to move to New York. Other actors make their decision to move to NY or LA sound so easy, it's reassuring to hear that even a successful actor like yourself had a fear at some point in their life. We're glad you overcame it though because you make a wonderfully-evil Bellick
Looking forward to more chases, and more blogs!
~Julie
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Oct 2, 2006 1:24 PM
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Hi Wade,
I have another question.
Whose idea was it to have T-Bag call Michael "Pretty"? Was that something the writers came up with or one of the actors?
Thanks!
Have a great day.
Maurine
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Oct 2, 2006 2:16 PM
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Don't take me wrong because I think you're pretty, but did you ever worry that you didn't have "the look" to become an actor? I can't imagine the courage and persistence it takes to go to NYC or LA with an ordinary face/body and a balding head and hope to make a career in an industry obsessed with perfection.
Thank goodness for us you had that courage, Wade, because YOU ROCK!! Paraphrasing Forrest Gump, "pretty is as pretty does." Your work speaks for itself, pretty-boy.
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Oct 2, 2006 2:30 PM
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Don't take me wrong because I think you're pretty, but did you ever worry that you didn't have "the look" to become an actor? I can't imagine the courage and persistence it takes to go to NYC or LA with an ordinary face/body and a balding head and hope to make a career in an industry obsessed with perfection.
Thank goodness for us you had that courage, Wade, because YOU ROCK!! Paraphrasing Forrest Gump, "pretty is as pretty does." Your work speaks for itself, pretty-boy.
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Oct 2, 2006 2:31 PM
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so what song would Bellick sing while on the road and hunting? Any chance you could work that one in? it would be great to hear him belt one out now that I know you sing as well.
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Oct 2, 2006 3:07 PM
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Hey, Wade.
I was starting to worry about you not getting untied either (I seem to remember the last guy who was left tied up... but he was left in an old well).
I agree with the others. You are much nicer than Bellick! I can attest to that because I've run into you a time or two around Dallas. Hey, I've even noticed that Bellick's voice has a slightly more menacing tone to it. Good job!
Show's on tonight. Hope to see you/Bellick there.
Jannsy
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Oct 2, 2006 7:48 PM
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Today, internet has taken its true meaning, that is, truely connecting people from anywhere in the world. Before, if you liked a tv show, all you can do is find someone who watches the show and talk about it over coffee or lunch. But now, you can just come to the internet and share your enthusiasm with the other fans of the show from all over the world. It gets even better because now we can share our thoughts with creators and cast members too. I guess, this is also good for the creators because they get feedback which they can take into account to take the show in the direction which makes it more enjoyable.
I am not sure if this is the place to share some of my concerns about my all time favourite show on tv, but I will do it anyway. But before that, I must say, that there are few good actors in this show and you are one of them. I would like you to know that your work is not going unnoticed. We like evil Bellick, so, please don't change. Again, we need a villain who is not a psycho.
I think in your first posting you said, people on the street treat you like the evil Bellick. I must say, if I happen to see you on the street, there is a high chance that I will take a picture with you with a real camera. On the other hand, If I happen to see Mr. Miller, I would probably take a pic with my camera phone from a distance.
Anyways, here are some of my concerns which I think shared by other fans too.
1)I am worried that the show will outlive its time and be killed before a natural and memorable end. I read in several places, Mr. Paul S said, he has 2 seasons mapped out. I can see 3 seasons but not more than that. It would be too much to expect for once, that a show which strated with a bang to go with a bang. Who will win the battle between art and profit?
2)In the first season, there are two main character which we are missing this season. One is the prison, the absence of which we were prepared for. But where is the tatto? Is it ever gonna come back? So far we have been very understanding, since we understand that it would be torture for Mr.Miller to go through that precedure in the Dallas heat. But weather is cooling down, isn't it? So, is the tatto coming back?
Not so serious concerns:
3)How long this cons are outside? Michael is too clean shaved. He should be more shabby if he is on the run for days.
4)How come its always day light. Should not something take place in the night too. What do they do in the night? I would like to see that.
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Oct 4, 2006 2:39 AM
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I live down the street from Discoveryland! That just gives me a little something extra to think about as I drive by there in the summer.
If it's not too intrusive, may I ask which high school you went to?
Keep up the awesome work!!
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Oct 4, 2006 1:47 PM
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Dear Wade,
First, you rock!! Your episode of "Six Feet Under" remains a favorite of mine along with your character on "The X Files," but I adore Brad "Red Lobster" Bellick best of all.
What school in Tulsa did you attend? I was there in the late 1970s/early 80s. You are a huge part of the reason why the show is great and I will root for you to get the money and the gal. 
Thanks for the wonderful blog.
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Oct 4, 2006 3:00 PM
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in response to huntress: "paraphrasing forrest gump "pretty is, as pretty does" your work speaks for itself pretty-boy" was she referring to you, or your co-star wentworth miller?
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Oct 7, 2006 1:09 AM
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