Christian Kane

Christian Kane at the World Premiere of "New York Minute"

Christian Kane on the End of "Angel"

And Working with Queen Latifah on "Taxi" Even if Christian Kane didn’t have a movie coming up starring Queen Latifah, I’d still be interested in talking to him about his work. I’m a huge fan of Joss Whedon’s "Angel" (it’s one of the few programs I TIVO) and with the series rapidly drawing to a close, who better to ask about the show’s cancellation than "Angel" co-star Christian Kane. Here’s what the actor/musician had to say about saying farewell to "Angel," working on "Taxi," and his music career.

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN KANE:

Did you have any idea the series was going to end before they wrote your storyline back into the plot?

We had no idea. Me and Boreanaz and James Marsters were sitting on the set and Joss and Kelly Manners came in and said, “That’s it. They said they’re not picking us up for another season.”

That sucks.

It does suck, to be honest with you. But you know what the best thing about this is? The only thing I can say is that we’re going out on top. I mean, we’re getting some of the best numbers that show’s ever had. I can’t take that much credit for it but obviously with Boreanaz, and with James coming on the show, and then me coming back, there was just something. It was a rarity. To all three of us, and the rest of the cast, it was just a shame. But you know, the good thing about it is - and I kind of smile and I know David does, too - is that we went out on top. I think that Joss feels the same way. Joss has got a new project; he’s getting ready to do “Firefly” the movie.

Did the letter writing campaign and all the fansites and petitions on the Internet affect you and affect the show?

Well, it affects me. But I’m not sure it affects the show or the WB in that situation. But I’ll tell you right now, it affects me. I appreciate it and I know it affects Boreanaz. Boreanaz is very proud. We talked about that on the set quite a bit.

The cancellation of the show drew an immediate and vocal reaction from fans. What is it about "Angel" that sparks such a reaction from viewers?

There are no rules. I mean, it’s sci-fi. I guess you can say it’s sci-fi. So it doesn’t have to stay within this world or this realm. You know what I mean? You can have a guy jump all the way from the street to a building, where you can’t do that on any other show. And Joss is very [much] a genius. He makes it fresh every year, and every episode something new happens. It’s not the same old bullshit.

Are there plans for an “Angel” movie?

Oh, they’re talking about that. I’m not sure that’s [a good thing].

Would you be involved?

If David said that he would do it and Joss asked me to do it, then I would definitely do it hands-down, no matter where I was at in my life. But I don’t see it. I’m pissed off.

Are you?

Yeah, because we came back in and then the ratings go up and it’s like something like “Dark Shadows” or something.

Are you still involved in music?

I am. I’m playing in Chicago. I’m actually singing the National Anthem on May 9th at Wrigley Field for my Cubbies. It’s going to be great when we go out there. Then I’m flying back in for rehearsal week and then I’m flying back out to do a show at the Pickwick Theatre in Chicago on May 15th.

Do you have a new CD coming out soon?

We’re working on that right now. We’ve got a couple of new songs. That’s probably not going to be until the end of the summer. Hopefully we’re going to tour a little bit this summer and come back.

How do you balance the singing with the acting career?

You know what? When I’m not acting I just do music. It’s a release for me. I’m very lucky because I don’t sit around and go, “Oh my God, when’s my next job?” Because if I’m not working, then it’s no problem. I just start writing music.

Any movies in the future?

Yeah, I just finished up “Taxi” with Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon. Tim Story directed that - he did the first “Barbershop.” It’s a very funny movie.

What’s Queen Latifah like on the set?

She is the nicest person in the world. She’s always got a smile on. This whole thing about her being a diva, I think she is - just the way she presents herself - but it does not show in her attitude. You know what I mean? When she walks on the set, you know she’s there. You can’t help it, but she’s a sweetheart.

So there’s no entourage?

No, she’s a sweetheart.

What’s your character in “Taxi?”

I play Agent Mullins. I’m an FBI agent and I’m kind of the bad guy. Of course I’m the bad guy (laughing). I never get the good guy roles. I’ve never gotten the good guy role once.

What is it about you that makes casting directors think ‘bad guy?’

I think because of my demeanor. Some of the casting directors who have cast me have known me from outside stuff, which I’m very fortunate. They just know that I’m a bad boy from Oklahoma (laughing).