Canadian actor, director and producer Tom Cavanagh has gone from responsible to post-responsible in his new role on TNT's "Trust Me." He stars opposite Eric McCormack, of "Will and Grace" fame, as Connor, the creative, yet immature and spontaneous copywriter. It's a role diametrically opposed to the responsible bowling alley-lawyer he played on the NBC TV series "Ed" (2000-04). "Trust Me" premieres tonight on TNT.
Q: The pilot seemed a little more intense than the first episode. Was there some tweaking?
A: We are on episode nine right now (filming) and I'm not exactly sure what even happened in either [the pilot or first episode]. I will say this, the tone would be largely much more what you see in the pilot. Certainly there is humor throughout, but it's not our goal to make a sitcom.
Q: In "Trust Me" the world of advertising is depicted as an exciting, competitive sport rather than the usual soulless selling of things we don't need.
Listen to more of the interview with Tom Cavanagh. Hear this interview and browse the full lineup of Post-Gazette podcasts.A: Actually, it's a funny thing, the question that you ask. I would say there's room for all of those adjectives, honestly. That's not to paint too broad a picture, but truthfully, we've been fortunate to work with a number of our producers who have spent more time in the advertising world than they have in Hollywoodland. Sometimes it's a Super Bowl thing, and if you can get your campaign kicked off, you are talking millions and millions of dollars. It's a big deal, and when the stakes are that high people will do a lot of things. Some overhand and some underhand to accomplish their goal. And again, a large part of the advertising spectrum is entertainment. If you can entertain, then, hopefully, people will buy. What I've found interesting, and I hope I'm not misspeaking, but it seems to me there's a lot of 'It's not enough for us to succeed, but others must also fail.' There's a lot of that sentiment, whatever way you'd like to describe that.
Q: Do you find show business to be similar?
A: I don't know. The bubbles cross a little bit because you are looking at actors portraying the people in the ads you see on television and in the print ads. They seem largely dissimilar to me in many ways also.
Q: Egos are a big part of creative businesses. How do you deal with that when you are producing and directing, and how do you keep yours in check?
A: Egos seem to be part and parcel in every profession. I am sure you run into them in your world. It's like anything -- maybe the more control you have, the more you like to set a good example. The best experience is when you make an effort to set a good example. I find that often times that has a huge effect on people. It's like 'Oh, I guess we're not acting like jackasses here, so I won't do that.' If you have somebody at the top screaming and hollering then you have a problem.
Q: I read that you just finished directing a film about a female playground basketball hustler. Was that based on your wife?
A: No. This film was written by a woman who is a writer and it was her first foray into screenwriting. She had been an all-star in the Big 10 and played at a very high level. A lot of what the picture is examining is what's the female sports experience vs. the male sports experience. That makes it sound very serious, but part of it is very humorous.
Q: I ask because I read that you met your wife on a basketball court in New York City and that she used to play college ball?
A: The first part is true. The second part is not true [laughing]. I never heard that before and had that split second of maybe that's a nice rumor to spread. But here's the thing: Your lies will catch up with you [laughing].
Q: Your character is supposed to be spontaneous and immature.
A: I am spontaneous and immature.
Q: In real life or your character?
A: Ah ha! The man committed nothing to the question.
Q: I understand you were in "Love Monkey" with Jason Priestly, a fellow Canadian.
A: Yeah, do you know him?
Q: I just interviewed him, and he mentioned that Canadians are humble people.
A: I have to tell you this guy, in terms of the television world, was stratospheric for nine years and at a young age no less. I don't know many people who come through that maelstrom with their head intact. He says Canadians are humble people, but this guy really is the personification of it. I know this from working with him for eight months straight. This guy knows his lines, is kind and courteous and is always on time and everybody wants a piece of the fact that he is Jason Priestly, but he would be so generous with everybody. And not because he thinks he should do it, that's just how he's built. Not only that, I don't think he always gets enough credit for his talent. He is a talented director and has a gifted eye.
Q: Yes, you both got into directing.
A: Yes, he does a lot of directing, actually.
Q: And Eric McCormack is also Canadian.
A: Yes, a proud Canadian. A proud and humble Canadian.
First Published: January 26, 2009, 10:00 a.m.
