Victor Garber on 'Deception,' why he doesn't think 'Argo' was completely snubbed

>>> i was thinking of going to the driving range. do you want to -- what is it? are you all right?

>> am i a murderer? did i kill kimberly yeager?

>> where's this coming from?

>> haverstock. it's coming from him. he's threatening. i tried to talk to him and he told me that i did it. did i, dad?

>> you're a good man, edward. and in all the years since that poor girl died, you have lived your life beyond reproach. anything else is irrelevant.

>> that's not an answer.

>> but it's all you're going to get. that was a scene from the new nbc drama "deception." with us now, the co-star of the new drama, victor garber . it's great to have you here.

>> thank you.

>> young sam stein, he's in prep school now, so young. he was going through your bio and was shocked. 1969 , sam , singing on "the ed sullivan show ."

>> yeah.

>> i will do anything for money. if you pay me, i'll do it. where's mika , by the way?

>> south of france.

>> i am so angry. i love your show. i watch it every morning.

>> and you watch for mika .

>> i mean, i'm happy to meet you, of course.

>> not really. i understand.

>> don't get me wrong, but where is she?

>> this is my life. nobody ever -- but you're a huge fan as well.

>> i am.

>> your favorite moment was his favorite moment as an actor.

>> i was just saying, i had seen victor in "art" on broadway in the late '90s, a wonderful, fabulous play, very spare set.

>> the great alan alda and ed ward molina and me. and one of the greatest experiences of my life.

>> switching to my other favorite role of yours is in "titanic." i'm sorry, i'm a huge "titanic" fan.

>> hey, i'm very proud to be a part of that. who knew that it would be what it became.

>> but your role, it was the designer of the boat and just in that moment.

>> it's my fault, really, isn't it?

>> all your fault.

>> you sunk the ship.

>> it is fascinating, though. your career, you talk about singing " ed sullivan show ," but you spent so much time on broadway . you also, of course, starred in a lot of great movies. you talk about " argo ." but also, in the great nora ephron , " sleepless in seattle ." how remarkable is she? but now to tv. 20 years ago most broadway actors and movie actors might have turned their nose up at tv.

>> they were lying. they were desperate to do it.

>> it's where the action is now. that's where some of the best writing is. this actually looks like one of the best nbc shows in a long time.

>> thank you. "deception," monday nights at 10:00 . how about that?

>> monday at 10:00 . it's a prime spot.

>> it's so much fun to be a part of this show. when i first read the script, it was a page-turner. it's kind of a classic whodunit with intrigue and sex, not for me, but for the young, pretty people. it's really smart, really smart. and it's really entertaining, you know. i highly recommend it.

>> there's just something about the rich, isn't there? when the rich get in trouble, everybody loves watching their lives fall lives fall apart.

>> and also, you know, it's so interesting, and you deal with this all the time, but people who feel justified to behave in a way because they think it's the right thing to do. you know, in politics it happens, and certainly in drama. that's what makes drama so intriguing. because people feel justified. they can do whatever they think --

>> well, they believe they live by a separate set of rules.

>> completely.

>> as many people do in the real world .

>> which sam stein operates that way, but he doesn't have the money.

>> i've heard that about you, and i want to observe you for my character.

>> yeah, study me, become me. method acting . so let's talk about the debt ceiling.

>> no, because that's why i'm here.

>> how do you adjust, professionally, how do you adjust to doing broadway movies and tv. are there differences in the type of acting that you try to do?

>> you know, for me, it's always about the material. that's what attracts me. if it's on the written page and makes sense and i can relate to it, i want to do it. and, you know, and i think acting is acting. it's always about being truthful. so on the stage, it requires a different kind of energy and you're playing to a big house . in film, the camera can be right there. so it also gives you the option to really be more internal. but it's -- i really believe it all comes from the same place, which is, do you believe what i'm saying?

>> i'm going to ask you another question, because, " argo ," critically a success. award winning, obviously, for the golden globes . snubbed a bit by the academy. is there anything you want to get off your chest?

>> you know, here's the deal, it was disappointing and kind of surprising, but really, the movie is so appreciated and so loved and ben has been rewarded, you know, and will continue to be rewarded, that it's -- it doesn't really resonate all that much. i think that first day it did.

>> you're being diplomatic.

>> well, sure, but what am i going to say? it's like, honestly, awards, i've never quite -- like, how do you say what is the best of anything?

>> come on?

>> then the golden globes were a good moment.

>> unless you win --

>> and then it's the best. the golden globes , i was there, it was so much fun, and to see ben's face, and it was thrilling. it's, you know, i'm so proud to be a part of that movie.

>> so tell us a little bit more about deception. talk about who wow york with.

>> meagan good is this incredible actress, beautiful young woman who plays a girl who grew up in our house and she's undercover and is trying to figure out if my daughter was a murder or a drug overdose . and she really, you know, we lucked out, because she's the star of the show, really, and that can go either way , you know? and she's remarkably gifted and so sweet to work with and wonderful. so i love her and i love the cast. tate donovan , in that clip, who was in " argo ," plays my son, which is hard to believe, i know. we're pushing it.

>> come on? seriously.

>> he's my oldest son. i was very young. i know.

>> a 15-year-old --

>> rich people , they do it younger.

>> they live by different rules, sam , that's what i keep trying to tell you. well, victor, thank you for being with us. we want you to come back.

>> and mika will be here, right?

>> when you come back, we'll make sure mika 's here.

>> monday at 10:00 . so "deception" airs monday at 10:00 p.m . eastern/ 9:00 p.m . central. johnny carson always said, central time is the most important time, right here on nbc . it's also the most important, because that's pensacola, florida.

>> i had no idea.

>> central time zone .

>> so much easier to watch things like "deception." thank you so much!

>> thank you.

>> when we come back, we've got acclaimed war correspondent, dexter filkins here, and he'll give us his thoughts on the move by the pentagon to allow female troops in combat. we'll be right back. [