TV INTERVIEW: MARK-PAUL GOSSELAAR

Combining drama and comedy together in the lawyer-themed Franklin & Bash, Mr. Gosselaar told Buzzine in an exclusive interview that the show strikes a perfect balance between both dramas, similar to a classic television production considered one of the greatest programs ever made.

“Everything is funny, except for when we are in the courtroom and we’re dealing with our clients,” Mr. Gosselaar stated, comparing Franklin & Bash to M.A.S.H., where the saying went "everything was funny but the war." “We take (the law element) very seriously. The cases are very complex. To stay true to the legal structure, the genre of the true legal drama, and to put comedy into it -- that’s brilliant.”

The brilliance of Franklin & Bash definitely rubbed off well on Mr. Gosselaar, who seemed to take an immediate liking to the latest TNT original series, joining the likes of Rizzoli & Isles and HawthorRNe. Specifically, Mr. Gosselaar boasted the new show’s uniqueness and distinction from other legal dramedies.

“This one is different from the other shows I have done for the past decade. It has that element of comedy throughout. That is what drew me to the project,” Mr. Gosselaar told Buzzine. “It wasn’t your typical legal drama. I needed to make sure it wasn’t anything similar to what I’ve done on TNT because I was on the network again.”

Just the same, Mr. Gosselaar pointed out that the “buddy” relationship he had with his co-star Mr. Meyer was also a significant draw to Franklin & Bash.

“I think it’s real -- the connection that Breckin and I have; the chemistry we have is real, and that comes off onscreen,” Mr. Gosselaar, who was born in Panorama City to Dutch and Dutch-Indonesian parents, candidly said to Buzzine. “From the very beginning, that was one of the most important elements -- to try to find two guys that genuinely like being with each other on and off the screen.”

While Mr. Gosselaar found plenty of bonding time with Mr. Meyer on and off screen, he pointed out that the same could not necessarily be said of the connection between the actor and his character, Peter Bash. Although Mr. Gosselaar said he thoroughly enjoyed playing Peter Bash, both actor and character had very little in common.

“A good portion of the character is not me. Peter is very confident, he is very vain.  He’s a ladies man. I definitely don’t have a lot of things in common with the guy, other than the fact that we look alike,” Mr. Gosselaar said with a faint laugh. “I‘d rather show up to work and immerse myself in a character that isn‘t me. I like playing characters. That is the challenging part of being an actor.”

Luckily, Mr. Gosselaar is allowed to focus on taking on challenges as a skilled thespian. Jokingly claiming he has never been in any trouble with the law requiring retention of counsel, the former NYPD Blue and Saved By The Bell star was able to rely upon his previous challenges in immersing himself into the Peter Bash character.

“Personally, I’ve never needed to have an attorney,” Mr. Gosselaar jokingly said. “But I have done research in the past, specifically for Raising the Bar. Also, on NYPD Blue, I was able, for one week, to spend time with the NYPD and see from their point of view. So when I came onto this project, I sort of had a background.”

Speaking of background, Mr. Gosselaar has developed quite an extensive background in television and film, debuting in Highway to Heaven in 1986 and never looking back. In his 25 years on the small screen, Mr. Gosselaar said television content has not really changed during the past quarter-century.

However, interestingly enough, the actor pointed out that there is a major element of television that did change over the course of his career: the audience.

“It’s hard not to recycle. Obviously, we’re not reinventing the wheel with another legal drama, and it’s not the first one to comedy into it,” Mr. Gosselaar pointed out, citing previous shows such as Boston Legal and Ally McBeal. “There’s an element of recycling, even in television. I think the audience has changed. The audience has become much more aware. There is much more material for them to view, and if they are not happy with what is currently on, they can go to another network.”

Hopefully the amount of viewers switching away from Franklin & Bash to another network will be kept to an absolute minimum, as Mr. Gosselaar is rooting for the show to not only traverse into multiple seasons, but also eventually put him on a path to transition into film.

“I am happy where I'm at right now, but I would like to see Franklin & Bash go for a while, (and) eventually see if I can work myself into more of a film career,” Mr. Gosselaar candidly told this writer.

On June 1st, TNT will find out whether the complementary relationship shared between Messrs. Meyer and Gosselaar will indeed translate into a loveable lawyer-buddy dramedy that will catch on for years to come.

Also starring Malcolm McDowell (Heroes, Entourage), Garcelle Beauvais (NYPD Blue), Dana Davis (10 Things I Hate About You), Reed Diamond (Homicide: Life on the Street), and Kumail Nanjiani (Michael & Michael Have Issues), Franklin & Bash premieres on June 1st on TNT at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT).