Soap Opera Digest: What is your character like?
Jim J. Bullock: He’s very flamboyant, very gay.Digest: How do you pronounce your character’s name?
Bullock: Nick says “Surge” and I correct him with “Sir-gay.” Imagine, me playing a gay character. I mean, really, what a stretch! I was in the back of the bus early in the ’80s. I’m moving up. I’m gonna take a drink at the drinking fountain!Digest: So, you don’t mind playing this flamboyant wedding planner?
Bullock: I don’t mind playing anything as long as it’s work.Digest: How did this role come along?
Bullock: My agent said that B&B had some roles coming up and that they might be interested in me. I met with casting and truly thought it was just a general meeting. Then, they said, “Don’t audition,” so right away that made me much more at ease because I hate to audition. So, I had a nice talk with the casting gal and I told her I was doing this Nickelodeon project. She asked if I was shooting the next week and when I said no, she said, “Oh, thank God because that’s when we’re shooting.” And I just jokingly went, “Well, that’s great, then I’ll see you next week.”Digest: Then what happened?
Bullock: She handed me a script and said, “I’ll call you later.” After that, I ran out of CBS because I fully expected her to come after me screaming, “No, you gotta suck it up and read!” Then, I thought it was going to be a line, but I read it and it was a nice little part. In my career, I can count on one hand the times that I was just offered a role. For me, it’s never been that way, so this is kind of fun.Digest: Have you ever watched a soap before?
Bullock: Nope. I have never been into daytime television. I can see how people get into them because I’m hooked on AMERICAN IDOL and 24. Ever since I saw Soapdish, I’ve wanted to do a soap. I love the fast pace of it. I’m sure I’ll vomit three times before I’m done today, but that’s okay because I’ll just be thinner. I did turn on the show today so I can see who is who and know how to pronounce certain names.Digest: What kind of scenes do you have with Brooke and Nick?
Bullock: As far as I know, I just come in and give them ideas for the wedding and then I come on to Nick. Of course, with Jack Wagner, it’s not hard acting. Anyway, Nick and Brooke know that I’m flirting with him. He finds it flattering, while she’s amused.
Digest: What’s your wardrobe like?
Bullock: Like him — cobalt blue jacket, green shirt with a big rhinestone button, cream pants with a tie sash. It’s not clownish, but very Carson [from QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY]. It’s sort of nautical with a lot of bling bling. I think it’s very exciting.Digest: Would you be open to more shows?
Bullock: Are you kidding? Honey, I would kiss a clown to be on a soap. This studio is about two blocks from where I live. It’s fabulous. I never ever thought I would do soaps in my career. I always assumed you had to be gorgeous and studly, and that’s not my avenue. I’m comedy. But they probably already have a gay character on the show, anyway. I mean, it’s the fashion industry, so they must.Digest: Actually, they don’t.
Bullock: Hello? Wow. That’s amazing.
