The TV Addict with Richard T. Jones in Los Angeles
Who needs machines sent from the future when you’ve got actor Richard T. Jones?
Between the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour, Comic Con and the FOX Fall Press Junket, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES star Richard T. Jones is a one man publicity machine.
Which is exactly what this TV Addict started off our interview asking about when I was given the recent opportunity to sit down with Mr. Jones at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles.
So you’re pretty much an unstoppable publicity machine. How do you do it?
I have no idea. I’m still trying to get used to. I mean on the one hand you don’t want to tell too much because you want the audience to still be surprised. But on the other hand, everybody is interested in the show. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I still can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not used to all the lights and big events. I just like going to work and doing the job.
Do you enjoy this side of the business?
It’s fine. You meet people and everybody’s great. I remember hearing Keanu Reeves once saying, “I like the fact that people dig what I do.” And I agree with that.
Now I know Josh [Josh Friedman, TERMINATOR Showrunner] doesn’t really like information getting out there…
Not even to us, believe me.
So I’m just going to piece together what I think is going to happen at the start of the season. Feel free to respond with a ‘yes’, ‘no’ or ‘no comment.’ Would you say it’s safe to assume that Agent Ellison learned a lot in the final episodes of last season.
Yes.
I’m thinking that perhaps Ellison might decide to try and help Sarah Connor. That is, until the mysterious Catherine Weaver [Shirley Manson] gets to him first.
You’re pretty good. But basically, after the big incident at the end of the season finale [see awesome final scene] Ellison is essentially fired. Well, asked to take a leave of absence far far away. I quickly get a call from Shirley Manson’s character [Catherine Weaver] and start working for her and this big Corporation.
Okay, this is the part where you help ‘make my career’ by spilling the beans on what happens next.
[Laughs] It’s great because her [Catherine Weaver’s] business is very into the technology of robots, electrons and mechanics and Ellison’s job is to investigate certain ‘incidents.’ So I go out there looking for things that can really help me find Cromartie. Who I’d like to bring to justice because of what he did to all my FBI friends [again, see awesome final scene] So Ellison is out there trying to accomplish his goals, while at the same time working for the corporation.
That sounds great and all, but I was sort of hoping that Ellison would find Sarah and they’d hook up! Have you even shot any scenes with Sarah [Lena Headey] this season?
No, you know I’m looking out for those scenes too. Ellison is just trying to get in the same vicinity… but…. [TV Addict Note: Richard T. Jones’ tone changes to a whisper] It’s going to happen!
Seriously?
It’s just a challenge trying to find how we can get together in the midst of all the chaos.
[TV Addict Note: At this point, we’re not quite sure if Richard T. Jones is pulling our leg, but we’re going to take his word for it!]
With Brian Austin Green, Garret Dillahunt, Shirley Manson and Levin Rambin being added to the cast as series regulars, how is it working with a larger cast this season?
It’s great. Shirley is amazing and Brian’s really cool. I mean Brian’s a big star. I used to watch him as a kid.
I grew up on 90210
Me too! I watched him grow up in a lot of ways. And Shirley, Shirley’s a mega star. Everybody is so cool, so kind and great actors.
I’ve only seen a brief clip, but Shirley seems to fit in very nicely as the mysterious head of this giant faceless corporation.
She’s awesome and very suspicious. Ellison’s job is to try and figure her out and it’s not going to be easy.
It’s always been my belief that anyone with a foreign accent just sounds smarter than us.
[Laughs] Always.
When I interviewed Shirley at Comic Con she was saying that she’d pause for a moment and just marvel at your acting.
Ah please… she’s amazing. My goodness, she’s been performing for a long time. At first she told me she was nervous, and I was like, “Yeah Right!”
She’s performed in stadiums for tens of thousands.
Exactly, I mean I’m thinking we’ve got a crew of fifty and you’ve [Shirley Manson] performed in front of millions.
Do you have any hidden singing talent that fans aren’t aware of?
No.
So we shouldn’t hold our breath for a Manson/Jones collaboration on an upcoming album?
I want to do a musical. My son loves HAIRSPRAY and has a crush on one of the girls. I’d love to do a musical so my kids can watch, but I can’t sing.
Who needs talent when we’ve got the technology to make you sound like a star?
Whatever they need to do! Make me sound like Luther Vandross and we’re good to go.
You can catch Richard T. Jones’ Agent Ellison when TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES returns this September 8, 2008 at 8PM 
