Last year when I talked for Meyer & Gosselaar for the series premiere of "Franklin & Bash," we covered general territory related to their characters, along with small chat subjects like Gosselaar's first kiss with Soliel Moon Frye "Punky Brewster." In this unexpected sequel to that interview, the small chat was the main focus of the interview, as opposed to the other way around.
Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are, as Meyer describes, "two highfalutin lawyers" who work their way through legal loopholes with their unorthodox methods. They never hesitate to use spectacle in the court room to make a point, despite the disapproval of their stuffy co-workers.
That's where the promotion for "Franklin & Bash" ends, however, as Gosselaar & Meyer prove to be a different kind of interview.
For twenty minutes, the three of us simply discussed many different topics, including their similar history on "The Wonder Years," what Gosselaar really thinks of his Zack Morris "Jimmy Fallon" appearance, and what they think of today's Youtube performer generation.
"Franklin and Bash" starts its second season on TNT on June 5 at 10/9c.
Do you guys ever bond over your separate experiences on "The Wonder Years" of making Kevin Arnold's life a living hell?
Breckin Meyer: No. I can guarantee you that nobody you ask that question to will say "Yes," [laughs]. Growing up as actors, there were certain shows that everyone did a guest spot or an audition for. "Wonder Years," and sometimes it was "NYPD Blue," the "Law and Orders," etc. Everyone we know was on the "Wonder Years." And Fred [Savage] directed one of the "Franklin & Bash" episodes.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar: People say, "Oh, I was on 'Saved by the Bell,' don't you remember?" I don't even remember most from even this season.
How often do people talk to you by saying, "I was an extra on the show?"
Gosselaar: All the time. It's the most uncomfortable thing. I'll remember character names, but not actors.
[The two start talking about a Tweet related to an interview earlier in the day].
"Hey Mark-Paul. You gave the worst [interview] ever. At least act like you care about your fans. This isn't the first time you've done this." I was thinking about writing, "Maaan, f**k you." And I have to run it by someone, and they said no. And you [Breckin], have gotten your ass handed to you.
Meyer: Occasionally someone will say something that you have an answer to and you want to respond.
Gosselaar: It always bothers us when there is a little truth to it. And the truth to this one was that we didn't feel it was that great an interview ... the journalist didn't do her research, and thought this was the first season of the show.
Do you guys find that when you do TV interviews they're fluffier than regular interviews?
Gosselaar: I think it's the tone of the actor, and what that dictates.
Meyer: Having done so many junkets, I prefer to do interviews with him. We rarely have any notes for the show, but we do ask the producers to always keep us together.
Gosselaar: I find that it comes from when we're watching people being interviewed on television, we don't even care to hear about the project. [Breckin and I], we just talk about ourselves, and we talk about things. I think it's boring to talk about the project.
What did you think about each other's appearances on Conan O'Brien?
Gosselaar: [Breckin] was better. He had a great interview, I sucked. His was better. I felt like I had to match it, and I felt the pressure. I didn't get to talk about what I wanted to talk about. You go into Conan and you have these points.
Meyer: What did you talk about in your interview?
The nude scene from season one.
Gosselaar: Yeah, and I only had scraps to work with. I didn't want to go back to it.
Meyer: We were just with Conan yesterday, at the Upfronts. He's just a good dude, and will talk about whatever. A lot of times there are certain shows where you get interviewed, and that's the bible. Conan will go wherever, and it's fun. We're not talk show vets, but I love watching it, and being on it.
Do you guys appreciate when Paul Rudd constantly shows the Mac and Me clip whenever he goes on Conan O'Brien's show?
Gosselaar: What's that?
Meyer: You come out on his show, and he just tears up the cards. I thought it was a bit, but he was serious. It was fun.
Is that daunting?
Meyer: Sure, people have talking points they want to hit. I'm sure people get nervous in that world and sometimes prefer to stick to the script ... but nothing will beat the thing that [Mark-Paul] did on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," when he went on as Zack Morris.
Gosselaar: But I was just playing a character. It's much easier to play a character.
Meyer: Every time we go on a show, I just think, "There's no way to top that." He came close to it when he came out with a Travis Birkenstock shirt, my character from Clueless. In my head I was slow-clapping. But you can't top what he did on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon."
Gosselaar: As characters though. So my hat always goes off to [Breckin]. [Hosts] always want to talk about, "Take your shirt off, what's your workout schedule like?"
Meyer: You only showed your ass once.
Gosselaar: Once! It's not mine.
Meyer: It's mine.
Finally, a "smart" question: With many young stars today achieving their fame from Youtube and other similar media avenues, how do you as performers who worked their way through the system feel about this being easier or more difficult?
Meyer: Who do you mean, for example?
The Youtube user "Fred," for example. Is that equivalent to what you guys would consider "hard work"?
Meyer: Whatever you can do to get your foot in the door, it's what you do once you're in there. From then on, my hats off to you. The self-generating stuff we did for "Robot Chicken," that was just made me and Seth laugh. And this is why I made my new show "Men at Work." I was just like, "Why don't we laugh while we're on break?" People who can't get an audition, they can go on Youtube and create something.
Gosselaar: I was working too, I was just m**********g.
Meyer: A lot.
Quick Questions
What summer movie are you guys most anticipating this year?
Gosselaar: I want to see The Avengers. Meyer: I saw The Avengers.
Did you like it?
Meyer: I saw it on my birthday this year. I f**king loved it. It was so much fun. It made me want to have a Hulk movie. Mark [Ruffalo] was so great. During the Hulk with Loki moment, I said to my friend, "I may be semi-erect right now." I also want to see The Dictator.