Jack and Jen’s Last Interview
In an effort to calm fans’ fears that Jack and Jennifer’s days were numbered, Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves sat down with Soap Opera Weekly to ruminate on their characters’ futures. But sadly, despite a well-organized Web site (Salem’s Most Wanted: The Jack and Jennifer Campaign) rallying support for the duo, Ashford received his walking papers shortly after this interview. Here it is nonetheless — a last parting gift from Ashford and Reeves for the faithful.Soap Opera Weekly: Let’s begin with Jack and Jennifer’s wedding. Some fans were disappointed that it wasn’t splashier.
Melissa Reeves: They were expecting a real DAYS OF OUR LIVES wedding…that’s what they were used to. Their expectations were higher.Weekly: There’s talk that your vows were cut.
Reeves: Just the main part of my vows. When they cut them I was disappointed, but I thought, “Obviously, there’s a good reason.” There are [often] scenes that you love but, because of time purposes, they have to be cut. I was laughing, because Jennifer was running around going, “I can’t forget my vows!” Matt and I were joking that Jennifer said her vows during the commercial break.
Ashford: The fact is, it was a big show. We were a part of that show. Everybody watches for different reasons. There were some people who were tuning in that day to see what was going on with other characters. People who have followed [Jack and Jennifer], of course, wanted to see more rather than less.Weekly: Fans are complaining that they haven’t seen much of Jack and Jennifer since then.
Reeves: We worked, like, one day in June. It’s a bummer. You want to be working, but there are 30 other people on the show that have to work, too. Sometimes you’re in the main part of it. Sometimes you’re not.
Ashford: There’s no point in being morose or weird about it. It’s part of the business.Weekly: Did you enjoy the time off?
Reeves: To be with the kids (Emily, 11, and Larry, 6) is always the best.
Ashford: My parents had their 50th wedding anniversary, so I went back to Virginia Beach for a party and spent time with them.
Reeves: I went back to New Jersey to see my family, too.Weekly: Many fans want Jack and Jennifer to forsake their talk show and go back to work at The Spectator. Do you miss the newspaper?
Reeves: That feels like a true…
Ashford: …launching point.
Reeves: It’s where our [on-screen] relationship started. It’s where they do their best work.
Ashford: The newspaper allowed for more getting out and adventuring. We’re the only ones that do that. There are a lot of crime fighters out there, but there aren’t any people who want to get inside a story, be a part of it.Weekly: Yet, “In the House” has provided some comedic moments.
Reeves: We’ve had fun. Every time we [tape a segment], we end up laughing.
Weekly: Any memorable highlights?
Reeves: I sang “Mack the Knife” with Bart (Steve Blackwood). You know those things you do only in front of your husband and kids in the security of your own home? I’ve now done it on television. I felt like I was naked.
Ashford: She was good!
Reeves: Thank you. It was terrifying, but I did it.
Ashford: And I got to do the [skit] about the ketchup packets. They said, “Rip! Go for it!”Weekly: What are your thoughts on The Jack and Jennifer Campaign? They’ve sent petitions to the studio demanding that you get a big, juicy storyline.
Reeves: It’s incredible that fans are hanging on and supporting our characters. I’m shocked that as little as they have seen us — and not to the full potential that Matt and I are capable of — that they’re still rooting for us. That’s amazing.Weekly: How concerned are you about James E. Reilly’s return and your future on the show?
Reeves: There’s been a lot of change, and change always makes people [wonder]. Jim is a storyteller. He’s going to look at his palette of actors and weave his story. You know who your character is and what your character can offer to a story, and you just hope that you’re part of it. It’s wonderful that the show makes changes to move in a positive direction. If that means changing writers or actors, they need to do what is best for the show.
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