Back to the articles page
Back to the main page
In 1999, a devastated Elizabeth believed her first love, Lucky, was killed in a fire and she found comfort in confident Jason. A spark ignited, but fate kept them apart, until a night of passion during a blackout in 2006 resulted in the birth of their son, Jake, nine months later. Though devoted to one another, they're keeping their Liason a secret for their child's safety. But how long can these two remain secret lovers? Here their portrayers, Steve Burton and Rebecca Herbst, open up about love and other splendored things.
SOD: What has been the fan response to this pairing?
Burton: Are there fans of this couple?
Herbst: People are ecstatic. These people campaigned for years to see Liz and Jason back together. Steve and I even told them it was never going to happen because were told that was never going to happen. Liz and Jason had such different paths on the show back then that it wasn't feasible, and lo and behold, here were are.
Burton: Aw man. They've supported us forever. I've never seen such hope in a fan base in my entire life. It's been years and it came to fruition.
Herbst: They took out ads in your magazine professing their want and desire to see the couple back together. They'll send cookies and cakes to the set for all the crew with Jason and Liz faces on them. The whole building knows who the Liason people are because they have made themselves very well known. Just the amount of fan mail they produce is just wonderful. They are really dedicated.
SOD: Of course, this development hasn't made the Jasam or LL2 fans happy.
Burton: Yeah, they are a little upset. I don't blame them. If I was watching a show and I really dug a couple or relationship and it didn't happen, I'd be like "What"? I understand Jason and Sam had a great relationship. Kelly and I don't write the show, so we didn't choose which way it went. I get people's frustrations. I've yelled at the TV one or two times myself, too.
Herbst: And they are vocal, too. If you're a Sam fan, clearly you just don't like Elizabeth. But I've noticed the Liz/Lucky fans, a lot of them are not as opposed to her being with Jason, while the Sam fans are very opposed to him being with her. Maybe it's because they know Lucky will always be her first love. She will never be able to replace him with anybody else. They're a little more forgiving, but I'm so impressed with how supportive and involved everyone has been.
SOD: Since they have to meet in secret, is there hope for this couple?
Herbst: I think it adds a nice element to the monotonous boyfriend/girlfriend story. It almost keeps the relationship innocent and true and nothing can taint it because nobody knows.
Burton: The secrecy aspect is cool. Once you're a happy family, she's folding laundry while he's cleaning his gun watching football. This way, she can have her life, he can have his and they can have their own together.
SOD: You both have spouses in real life and you're pals off the set. How does that impact love scenes?
Herbst: Years ago, when Steve and I worked together, we weren't friends. We weren't hanging out or buddy buddy. Now, our families are so close. Steve and Michael are very close friends and through that, Steve's wife Sheree and I have become good friends. I love his family. I can't get enough of his kids, so that makes it more comfortable to work with him. Love scenes are never comfortable and if you ever get to the point where they are super comfortable, maybe you better check what you are doing.
Burton: I don't think Michael and Sheree are at home glued to the TV watching. We are friends and probably it makes it easier, but it is weird too. It's like kissing your sister. I just make sure I brush and chew gum and I'm respectful.
Herbst: He is very respectful.
SOD: It's no secret that due to his exercise regimen, Steve only does love scenes during the spring and summer, when he's leaner.
Herbst: He is such a baby when it comes to all that. Steve is beautiful. He has a beautiful face and he'll be like, "Okay, I'm really fat right now."
Burton: Okay, that makes me sound like a woman. Thanks.
Herbst: I don't see it. Yes, I am not looking at him naked, so I don't know what's underneath his shirt. We do hibernate like bears in the winter. However, he's already starting to work out so that this summer, I guess they can get it on. (laughs). Believe it or not, Steve and I are probably the most conservative people on the show.
Burton: Listen, if people are so interested in seeing some old guy with his shirt off, that's fine. God bless them. Every year that goes by, it gets harder to get in shape. I hope it happens this year that I get the discipline to work out and shed the winter coat. I go through the same struggles everyone else does with ups and downs and diets and loving junk food and the whole deal. It's tough.
SOD: Besides Liz and Jason, of course, who is your favorite GH couple?
Herbst: I'll say Carly and Jax. Everybody knows I'm a huge Laura Wright fan. I love watching everything she does. She's one of the best actresses our show has seen in a long time, and to put her with somebody like Ingo, who really has become quite good with his comedic timing, the two of them are just so funny together. They're very witty and I'm a person who likes to watch funny. I like to laugh and watch fun TV and they can be a very lighthearted couple. You need that on a soap.
Burton: I never really watch the show but I liked Robin and Stone together back in the day. I liked the whole Sonny and Brenda story. They were a good pair.
SOD: In keeping with the holiday, what has been your best Valentine's Day?
Burton: Aw, geez. Valentine's Day is so overrated. Who made it up? The flower industry, the greeting card industry or the jewelry industry?
Herbst: Yeah, I'm not big on, "Oh, let's go make out because it's Valentine's Day."
Burton: Sheree and I really don't celebrate it, but I have done romantic things for my wife. One year, I got her a nice piece of jewelery and made things romantic with rose petals and the whole deal. The prop guys actually saved my life on that one because I'm like, "Please, I can't find any rose petals. Can you give me some?" and they're like, "Yeah, here is a whole bag". I was like, "You guys are awesome."
Herbst: My husband always does wonderful things for Valentine's Day. At some point beforehand, he finds time without me knowing to get a gift, which I'm really bad at. He's like that with all holidays and anniversaries and birthdays. He always has a gift first thing in the morning. I wake up and there is something there. I get flowers at work. There are flowers waiting when I get home. But I usually have to work, so I just want to go to dinner. (laughs)
Burton: Yeah, we have two kids now, it's hard to find a babysitter. We save all that for our anniversary, which has more meaning. But I will take the chocolate.
SOD: Um, spring's coming, Steve...do you really want the chocolate?
Burton: Thank you. Thank you very much for reminding me.
Back to the articles page
Back to the main page