Why Freddie Prinze, Jr. Has Quit the Big Screen for TV
Freddie Prinze Jr. is famous for a few things. He's the son of groundbreaking '70s comedian Freddie Prinze ('Chico and the Man'), he's married to Sarah Michelle Gellar and he played bleach-blonde Fred in the live-action 'Scooby Doo' movies.
Now add TV star to that list.
Prinze Jr. is the star and executive producer of ABC's new comedy 'Freddie.' He plays a chef living in Chicago with his niece, his sister-in-law and his grandmother.
The actor recently spoke with AOL Television's Sean Doorly about his famous dad, big studio movies and why he married 'Buffy.'
What drew you to
television?
I worked very hard for 11 years to clean up the image of my father's name.
Initially, this was a test to see if I had done a good job and to see
if families would be comfortable with that name in their home. I understand
this may sound insane to some people.
Why would it sound
insane?
The whole "man with a mission" philosophy. Every time I read
something about my father, it would be so negative. We share the same
name and it bothered me to no end. I wanted to reach as many people as
possible and show them something different. That is initially where it
started, but it has rapidly transformed into something else. Now I have
this family away from my family. I'm with the crew and the cast every
day for 15 hours a day and I love them all.
What is it like
working with the "Notorious B.A.G," aka Brian Austin Green?
(Laughs) I just love him. I'm so glad people have responded so well to
him. The first time he read for the show, that was it. Everyone knew who
was getting the part. He was so funny and had such an interesting take
on what this guy's philosophy on life was and then some.
What is in store
for the show and your character the rest of this season?
We have a great story arc coming up where I have a steady girlfriend on
the show. My grandmother on the show... finds this girl who is basically
the last virgin in Chicago. Former Miss Universe, Denise Quinones, plays
the character. Over the course of the next six weeks, I fail miserably
because it is too much pressure for me to date a virgin. That is where
Freddie's immediate future is -- finding that first relationship. He may
get a lot of women, but... he doesn't know what love is yet.
Is it difficult
each week playing a guy looking for love when in real life you have the
love of your life at home?
It's acting and acting is not rocket science. You have to play things
for real and if you don't believe it, no one else will. I know what love
is, but there was a time in my life when I thought I knew what love was
and I was so far off. I think that's where Freddie the character is at
in this point in his life.
Your character
is a chef, but who does the cooking in your household?
That is all me. Food is such a big deal in my family. My mother was magical
in the kitchen. I was single for the first time in my life before I made
the movie 'Boys and Girls.' And in order for a girl to get a second date,
I would take her to this restaurant and depending on how many course she
made it through that decided if she got a second date. Sarah made it through
all seven courses, so I married her. That's how big food is in my family
and we try to make it that big on the show.
What about Sarah
doing a guest spot on 'Freddie'?
Yes, we chat about it all the time. She would love to be on the show.
The first season would be so obvious, so I think season two at the earliest.
I will put her in Emotions Anonymous with Allison.
What is the difference
between working in movies and TV?
A movie is a marriage with a guaranteed divorce. You have to fall in love
with all these people and then never talk again. [In TV,] people are all
committed to each other and they all have committed to spending their
time and giving part of their lives to something. I assure you that there
is not a person on that stage that doesn't care for this show as much
as I do. That is amazing to me. I did it for my dad not for their dad.
I see how hard they work and how much pride they take. It blows me away
every single week.
Would you ever
go back to doing movies?
My answer today is that I will never make another studio movie ever again.
I never enjoyed the experience. The only fun I ever had was working for
Miramax and making independent films. I made a movie last fall in New
York for like three dollars and I'm so proud of it. I had such a great
experience, so it was the opposite of the last two studio movies I made.
I've only made three studio movies in my life. I didn't have fun making
'Scooby Doo.' I didn't have fun making 'Summer Catch.' I didn't have fun
making the second 'Scooby Doo.' I was thrilled that kids liked them, but
the amount of nonsense that went on -- like getting one script and landing
in Australia, receiving a completely different script and being told that
is the one you have to shoot. If I'm not passionate about doing something
than I don't want to do it. TV affords me control, freedom and fun.