Jack and Jen’s Last Interview Page 2
Weekly: Matt, you left the show under Reilly’s regime last time around.
Ashford: I don’t know if Jim was a major part of that or not. He is one of a small group of real storytellers. He has enormous imagination and ability to write. I’m glad he’s coming back. It’s going to be good for the show. We’ll see if we fit in. Jack and Jennifer are unusual characters. We haven’t done anything of that otherworldly nature. I’d love to take a whack at it. Missy and I could do that. I hope Jim sees that. I am cautiously optimistic. What’s the point of being negative or fearful? We can’t control it.Weekly: Missy, you just renewed your contract with the show, which was set to expire in September.
Reeves: It was an easy decision. People always say, “Why don’t you try to do other things?” I love the pace [of daytime]. I love the challenge. I love the hours. It’s one of the greatest jobs.Weekly: So we can look forward to three more years of Jennifer?
Reeves: That’s what I signed for. I’m cautiously optimistic that I will be here for three more years (laughs).Weekly: Matt, you haven’t renegotiated yet. When is your contract up?
Ashford: In the new year — January or February.Weekly: Do actors get reassurance from the-powers-that-be before contract time rolls around?
Reeves: This is the entertainment industry. It is not an easy life. “Let us pet you to make you feel like you’re going to be here.” The bottom line is, it’s a business.
Ashford: I worked with Mary Stuart on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, who was Jo, the matriarch, for the entire 35 years. She was asked, “To what do you attribute your longevity on this show?” She took one beat and said, “I never overprice myself.” She always knew her worth and she never let her idea of her monetary value exceed that. She always kept smart about it.
Reeves: I remember having this dance teacher in New York named Phil Black. He was training people who were in Broadway shows. He would look at some of the best dancers and say, “You know what? You’re dispensable. Don’t think that you’re not.” Everybody is replaceable. You can’t ever think, “Oh! They’ll never get rid of me. I’m so important on the show.”Weekly: You’ve both been with DAYS so long. Do you still enjoy the job and these characters?
Reeves: Matt and I have an exceptional friendship. I didn’t see him for years; then, when he came back to the show and we started working together, it was like [we’d never stopped]. That’s rare. We have a great working relationship. I’m thankful to have that every day. We always end up laughing. It’s like working with my brother, except I have to kiss him sometimes, which is really gross — although many women would disagree.
Ashford: After doing this, going away, trying other things and working on other shows, this character, and working within DAYS OF OUR LIVES has been one of the most enjoyable experiences in my career. It’s a rare thing to find somebody you can work with, work off of, and have fun with. The fact that the writers and producers have given us the opportunity to mold these characters into something that is not everyday has been a pleasure. I talk to other actors who’ve watched us from other shows and they’re like, “Wow! We want to do what you guys are doing.”Weekly: What would you say to your fans?
Reeves: That we appreciate their faithfulness to our characters and to keep watching to see what is around the corner.
Ashford: The support goes both ways. I’m glad we’ve given them a lot of enjoyment, but they in turn give us enjoyment. They give us the energy to say, “Yeah, we can do this. We are capable. It really is funny.” These fans have continued to have passionate energy for our characters, and for that we say, “Thank you and bless you.”This article originally ran in the Aug. 24, 2003 issue of Soap Opera Weekly:.
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