Daemon's TV (Novembre 2011)

Interview de Jason Priestley, sur son rôle dans la série Psych, accordée pour le site Daemon's TV.

The winter finale of Psych airs this Wednesday December 14 at 10/9c on USA Network. Daemon’s TV was on the call when special guest star Jason Priestley talked about his role as Clive, an eccentric personality that series-stars Shawn (James Roday) and Juliet (Maggie Lawson) meet while on a romantic getaway vacation.

What it was about the show or the role that made him want to be a part of Psych?

Jason Priestley: [I've] always been a fan of the show, oddly enough. I started watching Psych back in the first season. [I knew] about the show from its inception and I started watching it. I saw a very early version of the pilot and I really enjoyed the show from that very early version of the pilot – that I was able to get through very nefarious channels that I can’t really talk about because I’m sure that copyright police will come kicking through my door and take me away in handcuffs. But [I've] always liked the show and I’ve always been a fan of it.

[Then] they told me that Jennifer Finnigan was going to be playing [my] partner in this episode, I was even more excited by that because Jennifer and I have been very good friends for a very long time and I’ve been a big fan of her work.

What was the most challenging aspect of being on the show?

Jason Priestley: The hardest part of working with James is keeping a straight face because he is a very, very funny man. [James] and Maggie are both very professional and very prepared. You really have to show up on that set with all your material prepared and ready to go because – as it is in television, everything moves very quickly and you need to hit your marks and get it right and be able to hit the funny in the first few takes.

Where did you draw your inspiration to play an eccentric character like Clive?

Jason Priestley: Clive’s a rogue and a conman, [but there is] that old saying ‘I never met a conman I didn’t like,’ so I just sort of really took that to heart and made sure that Clive was as charming as charming could be. Me and Jennifer made sure that the two of us were the very gregarious, loquacious couple that were very entertaining and kept everybody laughing while we were reaching into their back pockets and stealing their wallets.

What are the most endearing characteristics and the most troubling characteristics of Clive?

Jason Priestley: The most endearing characteristics of Clive is that [he] is very much in love with his wife. They are very much a couple and they are very much in love with each other. And that’s very endearing and it’s very cute. But the most troubling part of it is that, at the end of the day, they are sociopaths [and] they want to steal everything that you have.

Which scene did you most enjoy filming for this episode?

Jason Priestley: I think the scene that we had the most fun with was the cake scene in the restaurant with me and James and Maggie and Jennifer. When Tony comes into the restaurant and we talk about his watch and all that stuff. We had a good time shooting that scene that day.

What can you tell the fans about the finale?

Jason Priestley: It’s a classic episode of Psych. It’s a lot of laughs and it’s – there’s a little romance, there’s a little adventure, it’s everything you want. It’s got it all. And it’s got me, Jason Priestley.