For millions of people, Thursday night offers the comforting respite and a few uninterrupted hours of 'complimentary-of-the-networks' therapy from the otherwise chaotic 9-5 work day. Do a free word association exercise with any street pedestrian and say 'Must See TV Thursday on NBC' and see what you get. Friends, Will And Grace, Just Shoot Me and ER. Do those television shows ring a bell? The Emmy Award-winning drama ER anchors the impressive television line-up as it enters its fifth season on television. Undoubtedly, millions will be taking a breather from the Florida presidential recount hijinks and the senatorial race in New York to tune into 'Must See TV.'
ASTYLE took a moment to catch up with ER cast member Lily Mariye to find out what it truly is like work with one of the most popular television teams. If you are tired of late night political humor or candidate grandstanding, take a moment to sit with Lily and get a fresh spin on a diverse range of meaningful issues - from race relations to positive images of women and girls in the media to World War II racism in the United States.
Lily shares her experiences about what it's like to be an Asian-American actress on primetime and working in the company of Ming-Na and Lucy Liu. The writer, director and actress talks about her latest short film "The Shangri-La Cafe" and a little guy named Oscar. Find out more about what Lily thinks on sappy love stories to working with Michelle Yeoh. Lily Mariye is disarmingly delightful, intelligent and thoughtful. She isn't gunshy about pushing the envelope and asking important questions and bringing important issues to light. Take a moment and and have lunch with Lily.
Lily Mariye plays Nurse Lily Jarvik on the NBC television series ER. She had guest starred in over 25 television shows such as Chicago Hope, Murphy Brown, and a two part episode of Melrose Place, as a doctor. Her film credits Mighty Joe Young, The Doctor (directed by DWW alumna Randa Haines), The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, The Shadow, and The New Age. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, she graduated from UCLA with a BA in Theatre Arts, and performed in local Los Angeles theatre included the West Coast Premiere of Runaways, Cabaret, Into the Woods and Daniel in Babylon (with her ER costar Anthony Edwards).
Lily made her off-Broadway debut in Tea and received a Dramalogue Award for her reprisal of the performance at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Other theatre work includes Kokoro (Odyssey Theatre, nominated for a LA Weekly Award for Best Actress), Kimchee and Chitlins (Mark Taper Forum Lab Series), and Into the Woods (East West Players). Lily has written several screenplays, one of which, The Shangri-La Cafe is the basis of her Directing Workshop for Women (DWW 13 project) through the American Film Institute.
Lily is currently promoting her critically accalimed short film "The Shangri-La Cafe" which won 2nd place in the Best Short Film category at the Nashville International Film Festival, and Lily was honored as “Filmmaker of the Year 2000” from the National Organization of Women at their annual conference July 2000. Her film was accepted at the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival, The San Diego Asian Film Festival, The Asian American International Film Festival, and the BBC British Short Film Festival in the UK.
Here is a brief synopsis of "The Shangri-La Cafe":
Las Vegas, Nevada, 1959, is a tumultuous time. Blacks are not allowed to eat in “White Only” restaurants. It’s easier for Japanese-Americans to pretend to be Chinese-Americans in order to escape post WWII racism. Emiko and Tad Takashi own the restaurant where the Reverend Osteen would like to have his family dine with the white customers. The ultimate decision the Takashis must make, and the effect it has on their family and business, will change their lives forever.
For more on Shangri-La Cafe, ER and working with primetime television's brightest stars, read more of the ASTYLE Exclusive interview with Lily Mariye.