'Weeds' Guys Justin Kirk and Hunter Parrish Dish on Season 6
by Annette Bourdeau, posted Sep 14th 2010 8:00PM
The last season of 'Weeds' ended with a bang – or, well, thud – when Nancy's teenage son Shane (spoiler alert!) killed the pesky politico Pilar with a croquet mallet. Season six picks up where they left off, and follows the Botwins as they try to navigate their way out of yet another very tricky situation.This season includes some notable guest appearances, including cameos by 'Saved by the Bell' alum Mark-Paul Gosselaar and 'Terminator' star Linda Hamilton. We caught up with Justin Kirk, who plays the lovable Uncle Andy Botwin, and Hunter Parrish, who plays Nancy's oldest son, Silas, and pried secrets about the new season out of them. We chatted about everything from murder to cougars to how Kirk landed a vampire movie during a visit to the Playboy Mansion.
Season 5 ended on a bit of a dark note...
Justin: Well there was a murder. But it was kind of a fun murder! A croquet mallet to the head! We're desensitized on 'Weeds', because that didn't seem dark to us at all.
Hunter: We're still a comedy. But we do deal with the issue of –
Justin: The issue of children killing people with croquet mallets. It's spreading fast. Maybe not in Canada. But in America it's a big problem. There are some that are calling for the end of croquet. I think that's going too far. I'm going to say it right now. I think it's going too far.
Do the Botwins make their way back to the suburbs this season?
Justin: This season we're on the run. We live in a motel room. We briefly have hotel jobs. Wow, we're telling everything! You know, we haven't told anyone anything and we're telling you pretty much everything.
Good. So, Justin, why do you think Andy chose to run away with the Botwins?
Justin: He clearly still wanted to be on 'Weeds.'
Hunter: [Laughing hysterically.] Sorry, but I thought that was really funny. That's his answer.
Justin: Where's he gonna go? I'm the man of the house.
You had a nice life with Alanis...
Justin: Was it? Was it so nice? She's Canadian.
Hunter: Oh!!!
Justin: Come on!
Do you think Andy is kind of a father figure?
Justin: I've thought that from day one.
Hunter: He is no longer a father figure. I'm sure he thinks he is.
Justin: The bottom line is I'm the adult male in the house. End of story.
Hunter: Barely! Let's be real here. Silas is absolutely the only man in the house.
So why did Silas stay?
Hunter: He has an opportunity not to. I think besides the fact that there would be no Silas on the show, it becomes more about being weak. Not being raised in a way that would allow him to be able to take care of himself without mom.
Justin: Interesting...
Hunter: Why, is that not what you got?
Justin: Well I just think it's interesting you see it as a weak choice that he's making.
I thought that he wanted to protect Shane.
Justin: Yes, there's that.
Hunter: No. I think he's going to end up killing Shane. That's my prediction.
Justin: Ooh! That would be a dark way to go. Unless it was with a croquet mallet.
I noticed that Kevin Nealon is in the promotional posters. How does he find the Botwins if the FBI can't even find them?
Justin: Well, you're asking for a very specific plot point. How about we just say if you look at the poster, you know that he is on it.
Hunter: He found the map, and Celia did not.
I read that Mark-Paul Gosselaar will be on the show. Is that true?
Justin: Mmm hmm. Zack attack.
I understand you guys go way back [Kirk and Gosselaar co-starred in an off-Broadway production of 'Understudy' last year.]
Justin: We go slightly back. I saw the episode that he's in, and it's so upsetting to me, and so infuriating how hard he killed it. Ugh, I don't even want to get into it. He's there briefly, but boy, you won't forget it. That's a promise.
Any love interests for either of you?
Hunter: Yes. But it's short-lived. There's always love in the air. Mom gets some love.
Justin: I barely do. But I do kiss someone. I briefly have a soccer mom. No. The answer is no. Well, the answer is maybe.
What about Nancy?
Justin: What's with all the prurient interest? All you want to hear about is sex, sex, sex.
Hunter: She's always got Esteban.
Justin: I think they have a quota. If they have too many episodes without any action something has to happen.
What about Shane? What are his big issues this season?
Justin: He's not here. Let's not talk about him.
Why do you think Nancy has such a hold over Andy? Do you think he loves her?
Justin: Oh, I don't believe in love as a person.
So does that mean you can't portray love?
Justin: No, that's a good point. I can! I appreciate you correcting me on that. I'm an actor, I can portray the s--t out of love! I think there's a deep love between the two of them.
I read that you're going to be in a vampire movie, Justin?
Justin: Yeah, I just wrapped. It's called 'Vamps.' Amy Heckerling directed it. Crazy cast. It was a lot of fun.
How did you get involved?
Justin: I met Amy Heckerling randomly – don't judge me – at the Playboy Mansion. Or if you're going to judge, then judge her. And then five years later I got a call from her about this movie. That's how we do things in Hollywood. I think it was Hef's 80th or something. We had a nice chat. She had seen 'Angels in America,' and then five years later.
Hunter, what about you? Got anything coming up?
Hunter: You can put it down that I'm available. I'm open real estate. I have a few things going on, but they may not come to fruition.
Ok, last question so I'd better make it good. Hunter, did you ever try any of your cougar hunting tactics on Mary-Louise Parker? [Parrish has a video called 'Cougar 101' on Funny or Die.]
Hunter: Oh!
Justin: I've got to watch this thing, man. How have I not seen this?
Hunter: He tried out my tactics on Mary Louise Parker!
Justin: Yeah, but for me to go for a cougar she would have to be 80.
Hunter: No. I love her. We're very close. But no. We do like to get our dance on at our wrap parties.
The sixth season of 'Weeds' airs on Mondays at 10 PM ET/PT on Showtime.
In Canada, it airs on on Sundays at 10PM ET/ PT on Showcase.
