Meet At The Firecracker Lounge

We have been informed by NBC.com board moderators that any threads discussing efforts to save the show will be deleted. Some members were suspended. Therefore, the new official meeting place for all campaign activity is The Firecracker Lounge. The Firecracker Lounge (TFL) is a Web site that was originally started as a Black Donnellys fan site but now it has turned into a meeting area for fans to discuss further campaigns and plans of action to save the series. TFL is a great site to meet other Black Donnelly fans who appreciate this remarkable series. At TFL, you will find episode and music discussion, cast interviews, trivia games and much more. We invite organizers and members of other forums to join the campaign to Save The Black Donnellys

We meet in The Firecrackers section of the Firecracker Lounge every day!

Posted below are a few excerpts from The Black Donnellys' cast interviews conducted by The Firecracker Lounge and members. Visit The Firecracker Lounge to read full interviews and find out more information about future cast interviews.

Billy Lush (Kevin Donnelly) Interview
Written by tankerwife2001 with questions submitted by fellow Firecrackers

Did you immediately want to play Kevin?
At first I thought Jimmy would be the most fun character to play. It took me a while to find Kevin because he was so subtle with everything. Kevin grew on me. Now I love Kevin.

If The Black Donnellys returned for a 2nd season, what direction would you like to see the show go in? Would you like for Kevin to have a love interest (please don't say the Human Hate Machine)?
HAHAHA, I think it would be hilarous for Kevin to date that girl. I think Kevin would be so whipped. In terms of what direction for the 2nd season, I have no idea, I'm not a good writer.

Obviously you were surprised to hear that NBC pulled The Black Donnellys from television. What was your first reaction when you heard?
I wasn't really that surprised. The ratings were getting worse and worse, but I do wish they kept it on longer. I was pretty good about the whole thing but of course I was a little heartbroken. But I still think it was an amazing show and nothing changes that.

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Keith Nobbs (Joey "Ice Cream") Interview
Written by tankerwife2001 with questions submitted by fellow Firecrackers

What drew you to the show? Did you initially want to play Joey or was Jimmy your first choice?
The themes of brotherhood, Irish family and New York grabbed me. I loved how there were no monsters- everyone was a good, flawed person trying to do the best they could. Their transgressions were understandable. It was as complex and nuanced as people are in life. I liked that.

I originally read for Tommy. Then the casting director had me read Jimmy. They called me back for Jimmy and Bobby said he wanted to try me as Joey. At first I thought, "Aw... the narrator?" On the page, he wasn't that clear to me. But Bobby told me the two things about Joey that made him make sense: You never know if you can trust him and he loves these brothers. Then Joey made sense.

What was your initial reaction when you found out what all of the fans of the show were doing to try to save the show?
I thought it was awesome. When yo shot, you hope someone gets what you were trying to do. You guys clearly got what the show was about and the level of your commitment blew us all away. We all talked about it. It means a lot.

I'm sure you all had as much faith in this show that we do, but did you think that it was going to be this special? (It's absolutelly amazing to us!!)
You never know how something is gonna come out. but I will say that while we were shooting this, we all thought it was pretty special. We couldn't wait to read the next episode. Some TV shows I'm sure it's like, "Another one? Damn..." Yeah, we definitely believed in it and went for it.

I remember when we were shooting the pilot and there was the scene where Tommy sees Jimmy shooting up and they attack each other and Kevin breaks them up. I was watching the monitor during the takes and that was the first moment that I thought this could be something truly extraordinary. I was in a room with all these producers and I couldnt keep my cool- I kept saying really loud, "This is AMAZING!" Yeah... everyone was looking at me weird..

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Jamie Bonnelli (Nadine) Interview
Chat Transcript at the Firecracker Lounge

That's interesting. While we're talking about the show, what got you interested in the script?
JB: I was crazy about it right away. From the first time I read the pilot. Bobby has a way of making characters that I wouldn't normally care about real and human.

Do you think you, or the cast as a whole, had as much faith in this project as the fans do? I mean, while working on it, did you feel like you were working on something special?
JB: I always did. I remember Bobby saying you can't think about the results, you just have to do your best work. But I always thought I was a part of something very very special. I still do and am so proud to be a part of it.

JB: I am not only a part of this show; I am a fan as well. I am with you all in the fight! I respect and admire all your work! The website, banners and all the ideas for getting in touch with the higher up's to have your voice heard. And I think that they have heard you. I do think at this point it is all about the numbers on nbc.com and itunes. So lets keep spreading the word!!

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