Here, Weekly pins down B&B's John McCook (Eric) for six questions in six minutes.
1. How has it been for you playing this revitalized, resurgent Eric?
Oh, come on! This is really fun for me, because it's a different energy. It's fun to be a romantic leading man, always. I've never been anything other than that. But for a lot of the years that I've put in here, I've been kind of a workhorse. Eric's been Stephanie's patsy and he's been the father to the other characters. I like it when Eric is front and center. It's revitalizing for me. It's fun to work with Jennifer (Gareis, Donna). It's always fun to work with a new actress; that's always energizing on a professional level. She and I are having a lot of fun playing this affair. We're having a lot of excitement about the fact that it might continue on and be here for a long time.
2. In past interviews you've expressed concern that Eric might cave or give in to Stephanie. So far, things are going full speed ahead.
So far, yeah. I want my Eric to be a happy guy. I want him to continue on this discovery. I think he's having a wonderful time!
3. Have you and Susan (Flannery, Stephanie) talked about where this leaves Eric and Stephanie?
No, we haven't talked about it. Susan and I don't talk about story. We open up the script each morning, and we read it. We open up the dialogue everyday and learn it together. We don't speculate as to where Brad's (Bell, executive producer/head writer) is going to go with the story, we just play it every day.
4. Where do you think this is going to leave Stephanie, if Eric commits to Donna? If this all works out between them, Stephanie will be the odd person out, not just with Eric, but with the rest of her family.
I know. That would be a major change in the structure of the show, wouldn't it? That would be DYNASTY-like. Remember, DYNASTY had John Forsythe (Blake) married to his young wife (Krystle). He then had a powerful ex-wife (Alexis) who had her hands in the business, too, and was a manipulator. That would be the structure, wouldn't it? We shall see! That's when I'm a real fan of our show, when I open up the script next week and [can ‘t wait to] see what's going to happen.
5. What's the best piece of advice you've ever gotten from a co-star?
From Susan Flannery....which was, "Never go upstairs and discuss story ideas." It's not our job. If they use it, you won't get credit. If they don't use it, you're going to be pissed off, anyway.
6. In this age of product placement, is there a household product or a grocery item you love so much that you'd be willing to do an infomercial on it?
Jif peanut butter, creamy style. The largest jar you can get! In my household, I have to wrap the jar with masking tape and it says "Dad's" because I spoon it out, I double-dip. Everyone in my family is disgusted with that. I go, "Okay, so I'll mark it. Don't use mine!" If I come home at 3:30 or 4 p.m. and I'm hungry but I don't want to spoil my dinner, I'll have a big spoonful of Jif. That's my weakness!
