Hey Collar fans! I just got off a conference call interview with Willie Garson, who plays Mozzie on White Collar. While the official transcript will come later, here are some tidbits gleaned.
1. Willie Garson seems like a genuinely nice person. He was humorous, quippy, and a lot of fun to listen to. He's also grateful to all the fans who have made White Collar a success. He considers himself closer to the character of Mozzie than his other characters, not in a paranoid conspiracy way but in the wry humor that Mozzie brings. It allows him to give the character more depth and character development becomes more collaborative. Apparently, about every 3rd-4th Mozzie line comes from his head. That's a lot of adlibbing on set.
2. Garson most wants you to know that his son Nathan will be in a scene in next week's flash back episode. One scene conveys the level of a con artist Mozzie was back then and he had an idea to include his son. The executives thought it was a great idea and viola! Garson was excited that his son could see what his dad does, but apparently Nathan still prefers to be a police officer or a baseball player. Aww.
3. For me the best info was that we will continue to learn more about Mozzie's past. Obviously, Forging Bonds (next week's episode) will tell us how Neal and Mozzie meet. It takes place 8 years earlier when both Neal and Mozzie are ready to take things to a new level. However, other tidbits will keep coming. The powers that be know that Mozzie is a beloved character so look forward to Peter finding ways to use Mozzie more and possibly another episode where Mozzie needs the FBI ala By the Book. Great news for all those Mozzie fans out there!
4. Garson is in talks to direct an episode of White Collar "as we speak". Nothing is set yet, but look for more news on this front later.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at the interview where Garson discusses bad toupees, going shirtless, and one really bad Christmas present (in my opinion at least). Of course, it will touch more on White Collar too.
Don't forget that White Collar airs Tuesdays on USA Network at 10/9 central. Next week is Forging Bonds, aka the flash back episode. If you haven't seen White Collar yet, I highly recommend you watch this week. Like Garson says, "Anyone can jump in at any time." It looks like a great, fun episode.
Screencap from Fused Film
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