Bill Irwin: Have clown, will psychopath
IRWIN Goodman
Here’s something that should give TV fans whiplash: The guy who played slippery, psychopathic super-baddie Nate Haskell in “CSI” last Wednesday is the same guy who played Mr. Noodle, Elmo’s helpful friend in “Sesame Street” and “Elmo’s World.”
Actor Bill Irwin confesses, “I’m still dealing with the irony that, after being a clown on children’s TV, I got this high-profile role as a killer!”
He doesn’t use the word clown pejoratively, mind, as Irwin is one of America’s preeminent practitioners of the form. After studying and training with the Ringling Bros. and Bailey Clown College, he created, wrote, directed and starred in a series of semi-improvised, mime-infused comedy shows, including 1999’s Tony-winning “Fool Moon.”
His film, TV and theater credits include an acclaimed supporting role as Anne Hathaway’s father in “Rachel Getting Married” and a heavy-duty drama theater lead in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” opposite Kathleen Turner.
While this could lead one to think that he might consider the procedural nature of “CSI” beneath him, Irwin told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview: “I think [‘CSI’] cast me on account of my having done two Edward Albee roles on stage (‘The Goat or Who is Sylvia?’ and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’). When they called me, Nate Haskell was supposed to be in just one episode. I think they liked to write for him … he’s very mentally ill, you know.”
A last word on Haskell: “I think he has to die. We can’t leave him alive too long. I did talk to the producers about it, but I pitched a story about a man walking into the CSI office looking like Nate Haskell. Maybe it’s Haskell’s brother, but he’s very nice and wants to help the CSIs. It’s just an actor trying for a way to have a job next season, but they smiled!”
Mysteries on History
History Channel features ancient aliens, Houdini and other mysteries this month.
“Ancient Aliens” premiered June 8 and airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. It examines 75 million years’ worth of the most credible evidence of aliens on earth.
“Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery” premiered June 5 and is hosted by magician Lance Burton.
“Big Foot: The Definitive Guide” premieres today at 8 p.m. and delves into tens of thousands of claimed sightings of Big Foot-type creatures reported from around the globe.
“Secret Access: The Vatican” premieres June 19 at 8 p.m. and unveils the inner workings of the Vatican – from the secret archives to the Swiss Guards. Take a virtual trip around the 110-acre site.
“The Universe” premieres June 29 at 11 p.m. and airs Wednesdays thereafter at the same time. It discusses some of the universe’s mysteries, past and secrets. (History is available on SkyCable Ch 64, Cablelink Ch 44, Dream Ch 27 and Destiny Cable Ch 56.
