Going places, as long as he can bum a ride

Fifteen-year-old Alexander Gould was a mere minnow when he landed a whopper role, voicing the title character in the 2003 animated smash “Finding Nemo.”

But even at that tender age, Gould was already a show-business veteran, having appeared in such TV series as “Freaks and Geeks,” “Ally McBeal” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

These days, he plays Shane Botwin, son to Mary-Louise Parker’s Nancy Botwin in the Showtime hit “Weeds,” which captured a slew of Emmy nominations this week, including best comedy series and a lead actress nod for Parker.

Gould probably deserves a nom as well: best weekend for a star without a driver’s license.

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The gang’s all here

On a Friday night, I like to go and hang out with my friends in the Valley. We like this ice cream place called Menchie’s. They have self-serve frozen yogurt and have a whole bunch of different machines lined up, and you can pick whichever flavors you want. I like the strawberry kiwi, and I’d add some raspberries, Butterfinger pieces and sprinkles. And they have nondairy options there too, which is good for me. It’s kosher, and it’s cool.

After that, we might go to the AMC Theatres in Thousand Oaks. I don’t have a driver’s license yet, so my choices are kind of limited.

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Hollywood swinging

If I were entertaining friends who were visiting here from out of state, I’d probably want to take them to Hollywood, maybe look around the set where we film “Weeds.” I’d take them to Hollywood and Vine and the El Capitan Theatre and those fun museums around there like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and the Hollywood Wax Museum, and then the Kodak Theatre.

After that, maybe we’d go to Sharky’s Mexican Grill. It’s kind of like a fast-food place but a little nicer. Fun atmosphere. I’d get their big salad.

There’s also a great burger place in Studio City called the Counter. It’s kind of on the edge between casual and fancy inside. You make your own burger over the heat, and you can have a whole bunch of different toppings. It’s great.

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Peace in the Valley

On Sunday morning, I have religious school in the Valley, and then after that I’d probably hang out at the Westfield Mall with my friends. Or I might go shopping at Urban Outfitters or the Gap or American Eagle.

After that, my family loves going to this little hole-in-the-wall Thai place in Santa Clarita called Mom Can Cook. Really good food, and it’s nice inside too.

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mark.sachs@latimes.com