The Odd Couple
from Soaps in Depth, August 14th, 2007
Not since the teaming of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis have a straight man and his goofy sidekick been as big a hit as General Hospital's no nonsense hit man, Jason, and his cyber buddy Spinelli. Here, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson give us an inside look at what makes this improbable partnership Must See TV.
SID: Bradford, you've really been welcomed here with open arms.
Bradford: I was nervous because I had never been a part of this genre before. But within the first couple of days, I realized it's a pretty amazing place. I knew nothing about it. I knew I was working with people like Steve and Maurice. Even though I didn't know soap operas too well, I knew who they were.
Steve: You can tell on camera that we have a great time. He's not your conventional character on a soap opera. That's why I think it works so well. He brings a different energy. It's fun. We improv a lot. We do things we probably shouldn't do.
SID: There are times when it looks like you two are trying to hold in smiles.
Bradford: That probably happens everyday.
Steve: All I get paid for now is to not laugh.
Bradford: And vice-versa. Some of Steve's takes are just ridiculous. To keep focused on him, I have to really keep in my smiles.
Steve: We laugh a lot.
Bradford: When the camera stops, Steve's the funny guy. "Ha ha Steve, you're funny...and so strong."
Steve: Just eat your chips.
SID: You're an interesting combination. Kind of like King Kong and Magilla Gorilla.
Steve: I was thinking more like Rain Man and Tom Cruise.
Bradford: Who's Magilla Gorilla?
Steve: I know who he is. Unfortunately, I'm old.
Bradford: I pictured the bulldog and the skinny little dog that jumps up and goes "What are we doing today, boss? "What are we doing today?"
Steve: I like Rain Man better.
THE BUDDY SYSTEM
SID: What is the relationship between Jason and Spinelli? Is Jason a mentor, big brother or friend?
Bradford: All of it. When Spinelli first met Jason, he was in awe of this guy. Spinelli has an idea of what action heroes are. He's seen them in the cyber world and on TV. Jason Morgan is the real life version of that. At first, Spinelli is afraid he'll punch his face in at any moment. Then, the more that Jason allowed him to be in his life, trust and respect was established. The fact that someone like him could take me seriously and trust me, the more he gives the more I want.
Steve: I trust him probably more than anybody. I mean, not Sonny, You're not up there yet, so just relax.
Bradford: (Laughs)
Steve: It's a cool relationship. I look out for him. I guess I see him as a little brother. I took him under my wing a little bit. Obviously, he's a very intelligent person. He doesn't talk like it all the time. I can't understand what the hell this guy is saying half the time. It's a thing that wasn't meant to happen. It was just, "Hey, let's throw them together and see what happens." If he wasn't as good as he is, this character wouldn't have worked.
Bradford: I would have been dead.
Steve: But everyone saw it. Every now and then you hit gold. We got lucky.
Bradford: It's incredible to hear that
Steve: Everyone is kissing this guy's butt. Can we just stop?
Bradford: I've been very lucky to be paired with these hooligans.
SID: The way Jason deals with Spinelli proves he's not Stone Cold anymore.
Steve: I know. I'm half robot - half woman.
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
SID: What is this about you two and video games?
Steve: I hadn't played video games for years until this guy came around, dusted me off and got me back into them.
Bradford: Yeah, I take his money on a daily basis.
Steve: Except for yesterday. Now that we don't have the cheat mode on.
Bradford: Ooohhh.
Steve: Now he has his own dressing room and he's going to buy a nice big screen for it.
Bradford: You have a rich history in video games...you just haven't played in a while.
Steve: I haven't played in a while because I have kids and a job. Those things get in the way of video games.
SID: What about the "game of love"? Is Jason going to give Spinelli advice on how to win Lulu?
Bradford: He's imparted some useful tips to me.
Steve: Do I really know how to pick up a woman? No. I have no advice for him because I don't know how to.
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