December 26, 2001

KEVIN SORBO made the journey from ancient Greece to the future when the former "Hercules" star signed on to play Captain Dylan Hunt in the syndicated space series "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda."

But that hasn't been the only voyage for the formerly long-haired actor. Having celebrated the birth of his first child with wife SAM JENKINS this past August, Kevin is also discovering the joys of parenthood.
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ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT: What's behind the success of "Andromeda"? There have been other sci-fi shows in recent years that haven't worked.

KEVIN SORBO: I think the show works for a number of different reasons. The writing is the most important element of anything, as far as I'm concerned, but you still have to have the chemistry of the cast.

We have seven characters on this show, and the key is to, hopefully, have one of those people [mean] something to somebody out there.

[As] one of our producers said, "There's at least one person in this cast that somebody is going to want to sleep with." That's why people tune in!

What the hell? Why is THIS important?! I watch Andromeda and don't want to sleep with any of them. I watch Enterprise and don't want to sleep with any of them. I watch SNL and don't want to sleep with any of them. I could go on with this for pages, but the point is, who made this stupid comment, and since when is this the case? They must think the viewers are pretty darned shallow! This stinks!


ET: "Andromeda" is an action show, but it's not as rigorous as "Hercules." How does this compare?

KEVIN: It's certainly not as physical. I'm in space now, and there's technology. It's not 3000 B.C. -- I can just press a button and blast things. But you want to keep the comedy in there and you want to keep the adventure in there.

We've got KEITH HAMILTON COBB as the muscleman on the show. He's the guy who does most of the grunt work, thank God. I did that for a long time. Let somebody else carry that load.

This exercises a different muscle for me -- there's much more drama, much more conflict. This guy is human. He can bleed; he can hurt; he can die. With Hercules, you always knew he was going to win the battle.

My guess is that KHC is exercising more than just his physical muscles. shrug


This show doesn't always end [happily] and he's not right all the time. I think that's good thing.

ET: How have your fans responded to your transformation from Hercules to Dylan Hunt?

KEVIN: Initially, they were upset. It was funny; fans would walk up and go, "Man, why'd you leave 'Hercules'?"

I saw a transition about six months ago when I was going to a restaurant. A couple of guys said "Dylan Hunt" and saluted me. That happens more and more now. I've had people come up and be shocked that I was the same guy who played Hercules

ET: You have a little boy now.

KEVIN: Little BRAEDON. He is so cool. Love of my life. I told my wife, Sam, "I love you, but this kid!" It's such a different thing. I waited a long time to have a family. It's a miracle.

*snort*


Other fathers would always show all these photos of their kids, and you're going, "Yeah, yeah, whatever." Then when it happens to you, you get it. You understand what it's all about.

I think it's the only thing I have ever done right -- to have this child come into my life.

ET: Tell me about his name. It's beautiful.

KEVIN: Braedon is Irish Gaelic. It's a name that I read in a novel years ago when I was in high school. [Then] my wife and I made our own Top 10 lists. She was down in L.A. at the time.

When she came back up [to the set to see me], she said, "Here's my list." No. 1 on her list was Braedon! And I said, "Look at No. 1 on my list." It was weird. So we knew.

This is completely different from what he said in Tulsa. He said he couldn't tell anyone what the name of the child was going to be because his favorite name was one thing, and Sam's favorite name was another, and he wasn't allowed to discuss it. You know, I don't even care about this. I just think it's weird that he doesn't keep his stories straight.


ET: Is Sam a good mom?

KEVIN: She's a great mom. It's unbelievable, the patience she has. I shouldn't say this, but he's one of these babies whose crabby time is between 6 and 10 PM. He goes to bed at 10, and he's out until five in the morning. So it's just like, "Thank you."

ET: Do you do diaper duty?

KEVIN: I have no problem doing diapers. It's funny, because you couldn't get me to change your kid -- I would be grossed out. But it's my kid, so I don't even think about it.

I love this kid so much. I spent a few days down in L.A. doing some movie auditions for our next hiatus. I was gone for four days, and I couldn't wait to get home.

ET: What is the greatest challenge of being a parent?

KEVIN: I think the biggest challenge of being a parent is just relaxing. Life takes on a whole different meaning.

He coughs and I go, "Is he OK?" He sneezes and I go, "Is he getting a cold?" You just don't want anything bad to happen to him.

I was the fourth of five kids, so for my parents, it became "Here's another kid." They just learned to relax as the experience went on.

ET: What if your son wants to be an actor?

KEVIN: I don't think so! I would never wish this career on anybody. There's just no way. It's like a drug: You can't really explain it to people.

At any given time, 97 percent of those in my business are unemployed. Most people out there are starving -- it's a tough gig. You've got to be grateful when you get the work. Which I am.

ET: Back to the series. In an odd way, "Andromeda" kind of parallels what's happening in the world right now. Do you find that bizarre?

KEVIN: Months ago, we shot a couple of episodes that dealt with an anthrax-type virus that was being spread. And we're dealing with somebody hijacking our spaceship and trying to use it on a suicide mission to fly us into a planet to destroy a city. That script was written nine months ago!

We changed that one because it was a little too close to home.

Hmmm... I'd like to know more about this.

Interesting article. I'm glad to hear he enjoys being a father. I'm glad he thinks the writing is so important. I would like to see more drama and less shoot-em-ups, but that's a personal preference.

Shhh,
Whisper

Whisper,

when he mentioned it was the best thing he ever did (having Braeden)...I was wondering what you were thinking...I remember when we heard it the first time...

All in all I thought it was a good interview...I have it on tape as well.

Well, actually, I think having children is the best thing ANYONE ever does! I LOVE children!! Of course, everyone shouldn't have children, but I see no reason to think Mr. Sorbo won't be a fine father.

I just saw this interview as odd. Some of the comments he made were so, so... I don't know... "wrong" is what I really want to say. That comment about people tuning in to see someone that they want to sleep with just hit me so wrong. Look, I don't care how pretty some man is. If the show is bad, I'm not watching. It's that simple. I can watch a well written show full of lepers far easier than a poorly written show full of pretty people. It's a degrading comment.

I also really wonder about his story about naming the baby. It's a lovely story, but which one is really the true story? And why make up a story at all? It's just weird! It reminds me of a cousin of mine who is a pathological liar (and NO, I am not calling Kevin Sorbo a pathological liar). My cousin, however, is. She will lie about anything and everything. She lies so often, she can't keep her lies straight. She lies about things or events that have no value. She'll tell me one lie one day, and the very next day she'll tell me another (Nevermind that I was there when the thing actually happened, and I know the TRUTH!). I can't even stand to be around her anymore. So now lying is a pet peeve of mine, I guess. LOL!

Shhh,
Whisper

I'm wondering if you would mind posting the interview on Slipstream.:)

Lil

I wouldn't mind, but is it okay? There are all of these new rules about posting this stuff. I will be happy to post it, but do you think I should do the whole interview as it was written or just the link, or both?

Shhh,
Whisper

[As] one of our producers said, "There's at least one person in this cast that somebody is going to want to sleep with." That's why people tune in!

I'm sorry, but...why don't you just crap a little more on the intelligence of the fans, Kevin? Grrrrrr.....

Thanks for this Whisper!!!!!

I mentioned something about that over at the Slipstream board and was a little surprised (not a lot, just a little) at how many people thought that comment true.

Maybe I'm just weird. I really think it's not that I'm discounting sexual appeal in television (although that cannot be the deciding factor for me in whether or not a show works, and in fact doesn't have to figure at all), but more I'm frustrated about the issue of sex. I find it hard to believe that people tune into a show because there are people they'd like to have sex with (which is how I read "sleep with"). I just think that comment is bad and irritating in the extreme. It frustrates me to think that the Kevin Sorbo that I thought I knew is not the real Kevin Sorbo. Stupid, of course, because I never really knew him.

I think I'll stop reading interviews! (I've said that before. )

The rest of the interview was decent, though, for the most part.

Shhh,
Whisper

I do appreciate window dressing/eye candy, but the thing that keeps me with a programme and turns me into a dedicated viewer is an intelligent, well-written programme. Eg, Quantum Leap is my all-time favourite television series. Yes, I had major lusting attacks over Scott Bakula and still do, but it was secondary to a beautifully-written series - and relationship, between the two main characters, and very, very intelligent writing.

Same goes for Enterprise. Yes, I've seen half a season's worth now and I have to say, I'm hooked. Of course Scotty is a drawing card for me, but again, while not every episode has hit the mark, overall, I've really enjoyed what I've seen, and the character development so far (especially Hoshi's).

And for a finale, I'll mention West Wing, which I'm just rabid about. Absolutely addicted to it - and believe me, while I love every single character in the show, I don't want to sleep with any of them. It's an amazingly well-written series, and that's what has me hanging out for more.

If Kevin Sorbo thinks that's all his or any television fans are interested in, he has another thing coming. And he REALLY needs some major help in prying both his big feet out of his mouth. Grrrr.....

Stepping off my soapbox before I fall off now.

But yeah, you're right, I need to stop reading these things too.

they say Sci-Fi fans are a different sort of animal, and I'm beginning to think that's true. LOL! I can imagine tuning into a show because you are familiar with an actor or like his/her acting ability or find him/her attractive, but because you want to sleep with him/her? What about being an avid viewer? I think Kevin Smith is just the hottest of the hot, but even with that, I hardly saw X:WP during the last two seasons. It just wasn't worth it.

If someone is tuning in to watch a show because they want to sleep with someone, ... I just don't know how to tell you how weird that seems to me. It seems so adolescent, as if the hormones are doing the thinking/choosing.

It'd be like going to a con with the intention of sleeping with the guest star. ROTFLMAO! I wonder how many people actually think that's gonna happen! It's absurd!! It's definitely a step away from reality... Kinda' scary really. What's the difference between people who think they're going to do that and those who stalk stars? Money probably. Enough money and time to actually send gifts and letters to the stars continuously and to follow the stars to every con and probably to their homes (and whatever else stalkers do)...

blah, blah, blah. I'm just blabbing.

In all fairness, Sorbo did say that someone else had said that in the first place, but also in all fairness, he repeated it.

shrug

Shhh,
Whisper

You're not blabbing at all - you're hitting the nail on the head!

Well, I was kind of surprised waaaay back to find a comment from Robert Trebor in his column in one of the HTLJ comics (yeah, I have them all, LOL). He had shown Kevin one of the comic issues and Kevin had said something along the lines of wishing they could get female actors who looked vavavavooom, like the females in the comics. Shrug.

offensive was the question from Jann Carl asking him if Sam was a good mother. I mean really do you think he would say she sucks weinie? That question is unwarrented for anyone to be asked. I have lost more and more respect for that show over the years. If they are not self promoting themselves they are getting more and more sleazy.

I realize they may have been self promoting themselves alot over the years but I seem to be more aware of it most recently.

To our Aussie friends. I hope you are all okay. I heard some reports and it didn't seem to good.

that WAS a shtoopid question by anyone's standards, eh?

As for the fires, well yesterday was extremely bad. They hit a little town on the South Coast of NSW, Sussex Inlet, and they lost around 12 properties. Everyone was evacuated to either the bowling club or the beach. It looked horrific on the news. But so far no lives have been lost, thank God. Today it's slightly less hot, so that's a good thing, and it seems the winds have died somewhat, but they're still battling them.

If you're interested:

http://www.smh.com.au

That's the Sydney Morning Herald and it gives very good updates, almost on the hour.

and I betcha we can really look forward to some doosies this year..(rolls eyes)

and thanks for the link, I will check it out. I am sorry for the loss of land and property. I hope you are okay...and everyone else from here is okay too.

That was kind of you to ask hon.

I agree Kate - what a question to ask someone!!! In the stupid questions stakes - some of the reporters here could beat Jann Carl hands down (although I think it's a trait in many reporters) They're talking to a guy outside his burnt out house and asking how he feels and what lessons has he learnt. Let's just say I wouldn't have been as poslite as him.

On a funny / sad note - Kendaa they were just showing the evacuation at Sussex Inlet and they were evacuating some by water. This 'roo bounds out of the bush and onto the dinghy and they're diving after it on the dinghy trying to catch it - too funny. 'roo ok and being cared for by RSPCA:):):):)

hugs
fayee

He/she wasn't about to be left on the Titanic on shore, that's for sure! Did you see the poor little possum who panicked and ran and stuck his/her front half into a street drainage pipe? I hope someone took pity on the poor little thing.