Image Credit: Karen Neal/TNTWhen I got on the phone with Mark-Paul Gosselaar to talk about his guest spot on Rizzoli & Isles (airing tonight), I never thought I’d end up in a PG-13, blush-inducing conversation with Zack freaking Morris. Call me lucky. But aside from briefly speaking about his tendency to get cast in roles that require him to strip down (for the record, he calls himself “a willing participant”), we covered a lot of ground in our limited time. Here’s what we learned:
Rizzoli & Isles [Spoilers for tonight's episode]
+ His character had a romantic history with Maura in college. They meet again after his brother dies.
+ His character enjoys swimming, and he’s confronted by Rizzoli and Isles during one of his swims. Win.
+ “They have a great set. Sasha and Angie are just fun girls.”
Franklin & Bash
+ The relationship he shares with co-star Breckin Meyer was modeled ever-so-slightly after buddy comedies like Superbad.
+ “There’s a great energy coming off of it. People are excited. I feel like we knocked the pilot out of the park.”
+ “I don’t want to say it’s like Boston Legal, but it is very quick-witted.”
+ Confirms his scene of comedic nudity in the pilot.
+ “We have a hard time being serious. There’s a real lightness to it.”
Weeds [Tiny spoilers, ahoy!]
+ He will be on for one episode.
+ He “gets it on” with Nancy.
+ It’s so risqué, “I’ll be interested to see what people say.”
Obligatory question about the oil spill episode of Saved by the Bell
+ Yes, he remembered the duck’s name was Becky. He credits an EW writer for his vast knowledge, saying the episode was brought up in conversation last time he was here.
Rizzoli & Isles airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.
I’m just so disappointed in Rizzol and Isles. Love the girls and like the family dynamic of Rizz, but so much of the actual investigative work is so sloppy and unreal. A real cop would never start searching a vehicle involved in a crime, on the street and not wearing gloves. That’s just one example. The production control is very sloppy.
And the people they cast are nothing like the characters as described in the novels.
They did it again last night. They’re in the morgue, she’s working on the body, doesn’t have her luxurious hair covered, and she puts her gloved hands on her hips while arguing with Rizzoli. So unprofessional. No medical examiner would do that. It could taint evidence.
So, it’s nothing to do with Angie Harmon’s limited range as an actress?
For me, that is exactly why I don’t care for it. I want to like Angie Harmon but it seems all of her law enforcement characters are the same unlikeable, damaged, man haters. It’s just old to watch.
Zack Morris plus Breckin Meyer = Definite watch.
Zack Morris, I <3 U.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar may just become his generation’s Robert Urich: Never without a television series for too long (though it took Bob a long time to get to TNT).
I really miss “Raising The Bar” I miss the characters, the writing, the drama and the comedy. I am a cop show junkie, but I fear that an overdose is possible between now and January.
Love that Zack Morris grew up to be hot, and that he cut off that godawful hair from last year.
Zack effing Morris!!! Had the biggest crush on him when I was in elementary school. Still mad that “raising the bar” was cancelled. it was a good show.
Other than being poorly written, poorly acted, and poorly directed, it’s a pretty good show!!
I wouldn’t say that all of Angie Harmon’s characters are damaged, man-haters. Abby Carmichael (L&O)was not damaged and was tough on everyone she faced not just men- still my all-time favorite ADA. As for R&O I enjoy Harmon, I love the supporting cast (hello Jett Jackson & Jack Dalton!)but I don’t like Sasha Alexander’s character-too stiff & socially inept. Still watching the show though.
I am saved by the bell’s biggest fan