LAist Interview: Jon Wolfe Nelson of the L Word

The L Word is finally coming back! After what seems like forever, the last season of The L Word will premiere tomorrow. LAIst sat down with Jon Wolfe Nelson, who plays the love interest of Max (Daniela Sea), to dish about the final season, the other cast members, and what really went down during that man on Max love scene.

So the new season of the L word starts Sunday. Are you excited?
Of course I'm excited...and a little bit sad that it's actually over. All my little bits and pieces have been in the can since the end of September. So, all these months of waiting to see the finished product have been with great anticipation.

Tell us a litle about your character.
Tom Mater comes to LA with his pal, world renowed sculptor, Jodi Lerner who is played by Marlee Matlin. Tom is an artist too, but not with the audience or money that Jodi commands. He gets to live his ART life working and traveling as her interpreter. Tom is Robin to her Batman...(laughs)

Now tell me absolutely everything in minute detail about filming your love scene with Max.
Minute detail? Wow, Elise, that was over a year and a half ago. That happened in Season five.

I can tell you I remember being mortified having to stand there holding my robe up so the nice make-up artist lady could crouch on her knees and sponge a tan on my ass. Daniela and I were both a bit nervous I recall. It's all very choreographed you know? Just acting, like anything else. We've have all had to act during sex right? You know, pretending you like it when really you just want it over....(laughs). Same thing, only with 20 or so strangers standing around trying not to watch. It's a bit humorous actually.

Are you sure that's everything?
Oh yeah, there's that little nylon pouch they made me stuff my junk in and tighten to elastic so there's no danger of it escaping during the simulation.

How do you prepare--or is there a way to prepare-- for love scenes with a girl who's undergoing a sex change to become a guy?
My approach was to prepare as if I would prepare for any love scene or romantic encounter. Don't ask me to explain that because people pay lot's of money and go to fancy schools and practice for lifetimes and still can't articulate exactly how they go about preparing. I can't do it here in one inteview (laughs).

Tom's circumstances are certainly heightened. He is so freaked out he disappears for three weeks before he finally goes to Max and seals the deal. So there's all the emotional prep surrounding the "first time" (makes the sign that looks like bunny ears in the air. It is the sign language equivalent of making quotation marks in the air. Note: I did not call it bunny ears, Jon did).

The physical part is easy. Daniela is beautiful and has those piercing blue eyes...so that's one of things that draws Tom in...Max's eyes. Tom sees Max as a hot young guy.

So your character is actually bisexual because Max is pre-op?
Elise...did you fall asleep? I just said, TOM SEES MAX AS A HOT YOUNG GUY. NO. Tom is not bisexual. He's a big Mary, with a big heart and a big...wait a minute did I say before it was a little nylon pouch? Damn...are you recording this?

Everyone always wants to know who's straight and who's gay. If people are out, do you mind clearing that up for certain nosy parkers?
Nosy parkers...that's funny. I've never heard that before but I knew exactly what you meant...I'm an interpreter you know.

All I can tell you is that I am an OUT and PROUD LESBIAN (laughs out loud).

Who were your favorite cast members to pal around with?
LOVE LOVE LOVE hangin' out with Marlee. We were always on the street together cooking up some kind of mischief. I remember the day we went into a LUSH store there on Robson in downtown Vancouver. As we entered the store two verrry touristy looking women were standing at the counter. When we passed they began to oooh and ahhh...there's Marlee Matlin oh wow I bet she's here makin' uh movie or somethin'.

I of course overheard them and interpreted to Marlee what they said in a funny mocking way. The next thing I know they are upon us...they have descended - one of them saying, "We understand you. We know sign language. We are interpeters too." After a brief moment of tense silence Marlee in her perfect comic timing turns to mock me for getting busted.

We all had a good laugh and then stood there chatting with them about sign language for half an hour. She is really gracious...and freakin funny. I love her kids, and her husband is the best guy. It's like hanging out with my sister and her family. They are both the same age, married to great guys who are good fathers and have a house full of kids...only Marlee is a bit bawdier than my sister.

Jennifer is cool...smart and funny...but in a drier way. We are both Sagitarians. Our birthdays are on consecutive dates in December. She made a habit of pointing out my Sagitarian-ness....in a really funny way....Oh and...there was one late night in a van on location....OK I don't have time tell that one...

OK. So of course there's Cybill. Lot's of fun...great talks - politics, books, singing a little Dolly Parton just off set while we waited. FUN

What was the mood on the set because of the show's last season? Was everyone just ready to get out of there or was it nostalgic?
My story is played out within the first four episodes so I was out of there early on. It was pretty playful when I was around though.

So whats next for you?
I'm heading East for a bit. Gonna check the pulse on NYC. Maybe do a play. Between now and aging into a foxy Atticus Finch in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird I'd like to do some doctoring and lawyering on the movin' picture box and play an alien, a robot and a vampire.

Thanks Jon! Love you!!!
Back Attcha Doll Face!