Amir kindly chatted with us on Friday, August 29, 1999 at his club.  He wasn't phased by the screen scrolling at warp speed.  In fact, Mr. Aboulela sat back and relaxed while his first-time moderator/webmaster freaked out behind the scenes.  The webmaster was majorly impressed.

HUGE THANKS to Mr Aboulela, everybody who helped spread the word and who volunteered their services as well as everybody in attendance.  :-)  We've got to do this again sometime. *hg*

Quick note: Those who posed questions are members of the tP fandom or Amir's club.  
 
 

Becci:What was Amir's fave ep of tP to work on? and Why? 
Amir:I know this is boring, but I don't really have a fave. They were all cool in their own way. I got to do the most work in Bloodlines and doing the work is the most fun.

Karen: If you could play any other character on the show, who would it be? 
Amir: The Pretender of course. You get to do all those different characters. 

Bev: Did the PTB talk to you about being written out of the script, or did you just find out when you picked up a script? 
Amir: I actually found out through Raines. He got the script for the first ep, called me. Hey I had no regular K anyway. I was just used as they felt the whim. (K = contract) 

Ana: You and Mr Raines have the same agent, don't you? 
Amir: Yes, he actually helped me get them. 

Black Dimond: Who did you enjoy working with the most on the show? 
Amir: There are so many great people on the set. 

Raven: Have you done regional theater? Such as in Southern Oregon? 
Amir: My theater exp is all in community. Around DFW & LA (Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas).

Lala: Is Gar really dead? 
Amir: You'll have to ask Mitchell and Co about that one. I wold imagine if you have all been writing them that they have already considered bringing him back. Anyone heard of Gen. Patton? We need him to head our campaign. 

Bev: What have you done since tP that we can see you in? 
Amir: BORDERLINE 

Marge: Amir, are you working on any current projects? 
Amir: I shoot HOUR OF VALOR next week. HOV is one of those 'low budget action adventures'

Marge: Going on the theory that they are producing clones in droves, do you think you might appear again? 
Amir: I will if you all keep writing in, they read. 

Wendy: What is your fave hobby? 
Amir: Favorite. Would probably be watching a GOOD movie.

Wendy: Who was the best actor to work with on tP 
Amir: Lots of people were fun to work with. 

Bev: Do you watch The Pretender now that you are no longer on the show? 
Amir: I do try, in fact, I try to record it. I'm not much of a tv person. Though I try to keep up with some shows incase I get called up to read for them. Had an audition for THE PRACTICE

Ra-chell: Do you have a difficult time watching something you have been in? Do you think you are more critical of your work than others 
Amir: Yes Ra-chell, I think my work is terrible, I got a long ways to go *lots of 'you're the greatest!!!* Thank you! It really means alot! I just wish I could do comedy, but I'm not funny. 

Raven: have you done any comedy, or sitcoms? 
Amir: No, infact when I went in to read for one they laughed at me before I started to read. Guess I'm laughable when it comes to comedy. Of course that's what they used to say about Lithgow (John). 

Deb: What was it like working with the cast of TP, particularly Patrick? Do you have any interesting antecdotes you could share? 
Amir: You already know PB is great 
Deb: oh yes, but tell me more ;) 
Amir: He was the first to really take that time to connect with me as an actor, which is so special to see, especially in episodic. While we were waiting to shoot we chatted up first. Which allows you to relate more when you have to relate in fron of the cam 

Jeremy: if you (as Gar) weren't in SL-27 when the bomb blew then how were you killed off in the explosion 
Amir: the explosion was in a new season. But I can tell you this: When we were about to film the explosion I was on set, the scrip had me in the scene, that was the only scene I was scheduled to shoot that day, then, Marcus and the assistant director came up to me and said: "Hey you're not in this scene" (basically), then, 2nd AD comes over and says: "I';m not sure what happened, but let me check" comes back and says you're released for the day (Marcus ROCKS). The director didn't even seem to know what happened 

Jessi: Does Amir prefer playing good guys or bad guys? 
Amir: Good or Bad, either can be as challenging. And that's what I love-is the Challenge 

Deb: Do you have a dream role, and if so, what is it? 
Amir: yea, Lestat 

Becci: What are some of Amir's fave shows besides tP 
Amir: don't watch alot of tv. But I've enjoyed some ALLY, JAG, Dharma, Frazier 

Becci: do you believe in astrology or anything of that nature? 
Amir: I enjoy reading the ast. but don't necessarily believe it. 

Marian: Do you do stage work? What plays? What's your fave role? 
Amir: Brick in CAT, Jamie in LONG DAYS JOURNEY 

Jessi: What about musicals? Does he want to do them cause he'd make a great Javert 
Amir: LOL I only sing in the car and in the shower 

MyDandy: How long have you been an actor? When did you decide to act as a full time profession 
Amir: I found a playbill from when I was four, that had me listed as Joseph in the Nativity scene. I've had various roles here and there since. I've been in LA for six and a half years now

Kerry: Do you find you're 'unique' look helps or hinders you in finding roles 
Amir: I don't know probably both, but I only accentuate the positive 

Chicky: What is Amir's favorite food? 
Amir: Escargot 

Chicky: What is your favourite movie from this summer? 
Amir: Sixth Sense, I think Osment is great! 

Chicky: Do you think Gar has an identical twin brother hiding somewhere 
Amir: Gar's twin - didn't you see BORDERLINE? 

MyDandy: What was it like working with Andrea? 
Amir: MP is a riot, she'll keep you in stitches. Then the camera starts rolling, she turns into thise total ***** (he didn't spell it out), and you're thinking 'what did I do?' Then the director says cut, and back comes the purring 

Chicky: what was the strangest acting part you ever had to do? 
Amir: I'm not sure about the strangest acting part, but I know that sitting in that makeup chair for nine hours for GODS AND MONSTERS was pretty weird 

Chicky: what would be the ideal or dream part to play as an actor? 
Amir: Think I already answered that one, Doll. Someone wake up Ana please :) 

Huh?  I'm up.  *g*  It was asked by a different person and worded differently.  *yawns sleepily* 

Jessi: What were your first impressions/thoughts when you first saw Andrea? 
Amir: First imp of Parker? She's not what you see on screen 

Deb: Are there any actors or actresses who have greatly influenced you? 
Amir: Brando, DeNiro, Pacino, Bogart, I could go on and on, Ruth Gordon 

Ambi: What do you consider to be your big break 
Amir: All of you people - HONESTLY  *isn't he a sweetie?  ((((Amir)))* 

Ambi: Who is the person living or dead (or not yet alive) that you could 'die happy' after meeting ? 
Amir: I'm not a big star gazer, I just like real everyday interesting people 

Becci: If you could do anything in thh world you wanted to do tomorrow, what would it be? 
Amir: Start working on THE VAMPIRE LESTAT

Lea: What has been your most memorable and exciting role to date? 
Amir: I think doing the research on Karloff has been the most fulfilling (re acting roles) Doing Brick and Jamie (LDJ) were the meatiest 

Deb: As a fan of tP and not an actor who as been on the show, is there anthring you'd like to see happeneing in the series? 
Amir: *someone says something about Gar coming back permanently*  Yeah I guess, cuz I could use a steady job, but I really think they should let Raines marry MP 

Ambi: Who's career would you aspire to match? 
Amir: I don't really have an answer for that, I just don't compare myself much, I guess, or aspire much 

Becci: What's you fave type of music and/or band? 
Amir: I like all kinds, my fave band will change at a stoplight 

Ambi: What is your fave movie? 
Amir: too many, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, THE BIG CHILL, LAWENCE OF ARABIA, THE GODFATHER 

Jessi: What would you like to be most remembered for? 
Amir: I'm not sure U have an answer for that either, I never really think about being great or saving the world or anything 
 
 

Lost questions: Amir: Acting was a way that I started to explore it

 Amir: I also used to be a beaurty supply delivery man

FYI:Amir wrestled with a stunt man not Jarod in Bloodlines
 

Thanks to Ali F  in helping transcribe this chat.