Soap Net Chat with Jason Thompson
June 30, 2006

Thanks for joining us for our chat with GH's Jason Thompson. Jason will be joining us here in the SOAPnet Chat Forum on Friday, June 30th at 1PM pt/4PM et. If you submitted a question for last week's chat, we still have it in the queue for Jason, so there's no need to resubmit it this week.
Prior to the chat, you can submit your questions for Jason below. We'll queue your questions, so that when he arrives he can start answering right away.

Please note: This is a moderated chat. As you submit questions, they are reviewed by our moderators who place relevant (i.e. on topic) questions in a queue for our guest to answer. They will select the questions they wish to respond to. The response will appear in the transcript window below, along with the submitted question. Due to this process, you'll notice some delays from when you submit a question to when that question and the guest's response appears.

Moderator:
The chat with Jason will begin in just a few minutes so get your questions ready!

Jason Thompson:
I apologize for missing last time and I'm all yours for the next hour.

Jennifer Thomson
Hi Jason, my name is Jenn and I am from Halifax. As someone who has rarely left Canada, what do you find are the best and worst things about living in LA (besides the whole missing/being away from your family)?? Thanks!

Jason Thompson:
The best things have to be the California weather and surfing and hanging out outisde. The worst is being away from my family.

Tonyna
Did you listen to Rick Springfeild as a youth? If he was a memory of your teen years, is it weird to work with someone that was somewhat of a teen idol?

Jason Thompson:
I knew of him and some of his songs but my parents knew of him a lot more than I did. It was a little intimidating at first because he's something of an icon. But we've developed a great working relationship and working with him on the show is amazing.

Tara:
Jason, who do you get along best with onset?

Jason Thompson:
Kimberly and I have gotten to know each other quite well and we get along very well. I was staying with Greg Vaughan while I was waiting for my house to be done so I obviously consider him a great friend. But everyone on the set has been great.

Sue
I love the work you are doing on General Hospital. I would like to know what your family thinks of you being a soap star? Do they watch the show?

Jason Thompson:
I think most of them try and watch it. I think they're proud that I've stuck to this for the time that I have and I think they're happy they don't have to worry about me the way they did when I wasn't working. I think they're happy with where I'm at now.

Sarah
Are there any actos (not necessarily ones you work with) whom you admire or who inspire you?

Jason Thompson:
There's quite a list. I've always been a big fan of Johnny Depp and I respect what Brad Pitt has done with his career. I'm a big fan of Billy Crudup who's a little less known but a great actor. Anyone who is good at what they do is someone I can learn from.

Brenda
(1) What was your first impression of Kimberly when you met?

(2) Had you ever seen GH prior to getting the job?

(3) Who would you like to work more with that you haven't yet (eg. Tony Geary, NLG)

Jason Thompson:
My first impression of Kimberly....I don't know! She was very nonchalant and easy to be around which was comforting.

I had seen GH off and on but I don't think I ever saw a full episode but I knew it was there.

I've never had one on one scenes with Tony but I really respect him and he's so available when he's working with other actors. But I think it would be fun and challenging to work with him.

Robin Plate
Congrats on the success of your storyline. One reason the love story of "Patrick and Robin" has become my favorite story is the bantering and humor infused into their relationship. Can you recall a particular scene that was difficult to complete because you and Kimberly kept "tripping over the words" or couldn't stop laughing?

Jason Thompson:
The very, very first line that I uttered on the show was tough to get through. Kelly, Laura and Kimberly kept laughing at my first line and they were all just biting their lips over me walking into the room and calling myself their salvation.

devane
Will Patrick ever get a male friend?

Jason Thompson:
I don't know. He might look at that as competition, who knows? It hasn't gone that way yet but it would be a neat dynamic for sure.

tammy
How are you alike/different from the character of Patrick?

Jason Thompson:
I'm different in the sense that he's a lot more confident than I am. He doesn't necessarily care and he does what he wants. He doesn't think about the repercussions from the actions that he takes. We're alike in that he takes his job seriously and has a passion for his job. And deep down I think he has a great empathy and compassion but he's pushing it down.

mistyrose
Hi Jason, you're doing an amazing job as Patrick and I love the Patrick/Robin relationship. Is Patrick ever going to realize he's being as judgmental to Robin as he says she is? And will he stop being friends with her worst enemy? Thanks!

Jason Thompson:
He is a little condescending to Robin. I think he has respect for Carly in an odd way. And I think he kind of enjoys that he ruffles people's feathers. I think he likes to see people squirm a little.

Jen Thompson
What has been your Favorite Fan event you have gone too so far?

Jason Thompson:
I'd have to say the Indy 500 was a blast. Greg and I had never been to a race and the city put on a great show. We had a great time.

stacy
How does working on a soap opera differ from other acting jobs you have had?

Jason Thompson:
Just the sheer speed of how we work. the amount that we do in a day or a week is second to none. It's unbelievable how fast this genre moves.

Kira, From Ottawa
If you were given the opportunity to be a commentator for Hockey Night In Canada on CBC, with Don Cherry, would you take it?

Jason Thompson:
Heck no. I'd have no idea what I'd be doing. I would sit and chat with Don Cherry but there's no way I'd try to keep up with him.

Candie
Jason, I think your chemistry is amazing with Kimberly! I absolutely love you two together! Is there a scene so far that you two shared that you are the proudest of so far?

Jason Thompson:
I think the stuff that I did a couple months ago with my father and the kidney transplant was challenging for me and Kimberly was very available to me. She was in the moment with me and that meant a lot. Sometimes just the look someone gives you makes the scene and she did that for me. It was groundbreaking for Patrick to show a little more heart than he normally does. It was a challenging scene but a lot of fun.

Steph
Do you watch yourself on television? If so, what is that like for you?

Jason Thompson:
I don't watch very often at all. Sometimes at lunch I may catch a couple of minutes. It doesn't seem like it's really me, it's almost like a representative of me. It's a little awkward. You always think of things you would do differently after the job is already done so it's hard to watch sometimes.

Sherry
Who has given you the best advice from the show and what was it?

Jason Thompson:
(laughing) In that salvation scene, right off the bat Steve Burton says to me, do not listen to either of these three girls.

Sue
Are you aware of the Robin/Patrick boards and the fan base that is there.

Jason Thompson:
I'm somewhat aware, yeah. I'm very grateful to the fans. They have been amazing. I can only do so much and the fans are the ones who keep things going. I'm very, very grateful for the support.

Mack
How do you feel about those sweater vests Patrick has been wearing lately?

Jason Thompson:
Some people like them, some people don't. I don't mind them.

Jason Thompson:
I like the fact that he does things differently from everyone else.

tammy
Patrick comes off as such a player but underneath there is a real vulnerability to him--what direction would you like to see Patrick go?

Jason Thompson:
I am going to trust the writers. There definitely is vulnerability there and he is masking a lot of insecurities with his player attitude. We'll see what happens but I think it's been a good balance of the attention he gives to women and his vulnerable side. It's all fun and challenging to play.

Callyco
Why did you and your partners select the names Red Star and Halo for your pubs?

Jason Thompson:
Great question. I came up with both of them! The design of Halo had a lot of plexiglass and lights and it just glows. Red Star was more of a pub/bar so we wanted a symbol that people could associate with a bar. So we just put the big red star out there and that's how people associate us.

Joan
I'm so sorry the Oilers lost! I have been a fan of this hockey for a long time so I share your disappointment. If you weren't an actor, would you consider being a hockey player?

Jason Thompson:
Considering being a hockey player and playing in the NHL..there's a big difference there. My younger brother got drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and I saw all the struggles he went through. These are amazing athletes and I can't compete on their level. I can play hockey but they're at a whole other level.

Liz
I know that Patrick and Carly get hot and heavy soon, how did you like filming those scenes with Laura Wright?

Jason Thompson:
She's a professional and it's fun to work with people who put energy into the scene. The great thing about our cast is that people care about the work that they do.

ali
Jason, I love Patrick but he's making it pretty hard to like him this week!! Are we going to understand his motives and will Robin and the fans still want them together after the Carly nonsense?? Thanks!

Jason Thompson:
I think so. I think they'll want to see them together because we're definitely not done. As much as he's talked about Robin's wall, he has his own. His way of deflecting the issues at hand is to move on to another girl. He definitely cares about Robin, I think it's just scaring him a little bit. He's never found himself in this position before and I think it's just different.

Christine Gray
Being from Canada, do you speak French???

Jason Thompson:
Unfortunately, no. I wish I did.

Rae Taylor
What kind of music do you like to listen to? Is that really you singing in the GAP commercials? If it was, I thought you sounded great!

Jason Thompson:
Yes, it was me singing in those GAP commercials. All the voices you heard were original to the actors in the commercial. I listen to a lot of music. I'm just a big fan of music.

Kelsey
Hi Jason, I'm so glad you joined GH you are the best addition to the show in years.
I'm not much of a Robin/Patrick fan she kinds of dull for Patrick. Outside of Robin are there any other characters you can see Patrick with? Liz or Emily maybe?

Thanks!

Jason Thompson:
Well, thank you. Speaking for Patrick, I think he can see himself with every woman on the show so we'll see what happens.

Maddie
Jason,
It must be so interesting to be an actor. I was wondering how your life has changed since starting the show GH. Do you find you have a lot less privacy when you go out to dinner, malls etc...

Thanks,
Maddie

Jason Thompson:
There have been some big changes and some things that haven't changed at all. At home with my family nothing has changed. I've bought a house so I'm a lot busier so that's changed. But the core things like sitting around with my family and friends hasn't changed and I hope it never does.

Anna
Jason saw you on ET in canada last night. You mentioned you were filming a love scene in a bath tub this week. PLEASE tell me its Patrick and Robin in that tub and NOT carly the * with Patrick! PLEASE!

Jason Thompson:
I have to straighten this out, there is no real scene in the bath tub! I have to apologize for that. But if there was a bath tub scene I would hope it would be with Robin.

Julie
Why do you think that Patrick never defends Robin to Carly when Carly is calling her names?

Jason Thompson:
I think some of the things Carly says, Patrick has also said to Robin. They have their own little relationship banter that has nothing to do with Patrick.

Tammy
I love the characters of Patrick & Robin. You are doing a fantastic job & I hope it continues for a long time to come. My question: Why is Patrick so afraid of commitment?

Jason Thompson:
His dad loved his mother so much and they had an amazing relationship and then she died and he lost her. Noah's been a little empty since then. I think it scares Patrick to see that you could love someone so much and have them be gone in an instant. I think he feels that if he commits himself to Robin and then he loses her, I think he runs from that. I think it's easier for him to not commit than to deal with the repercussions of losing someone he loves.

Tiffany
Hi Jason. I would just like to know...how hard was it do the break up Scene with Kimberly? I saw her with tears in her eyes and you looked like u were heart broken? How was it to do that scene?

Jason Thompson:
It was very difficult, actually because Kimberly and I have been enjoying working together and we've had fun. The both of us finished that scene and were like, this is weird, I can't believe we broke up. It wasn't hard to feel emotional at all. We bought into the idea and it felt disappointing in real life. Which is great as an actor because you want to have that feeling.

Anita
Will you be at Fan Club Weekend in July?

Jason Thompson:
Yes, ma'am. Kimberly and I are doing an event together on that Monday.

Amanda
Were you scared that you would get fired when you began General Hospital?

Jason Thompson:
Yeah, because you never know. They took a risk in hiring me because I had never worked in daytime before. You're never fully out of the woods, though because if it would make good ratings to kill you off then you're gone.

Amanda
Do you and Kimberly McCullough hang out together outside of the set?

Jason Thompson:
Yes, we do. We get along great and we've done a couple of weekend things together like Fun in the Sun. We're in Atlanta this weekend for an event. She's a fun girl to be around.

tammy
What are your hidden talents-something most people would be surprised to know about you?

Jason Thompson:
I don't know if this is a talent but I love being around kids. It's a blast for me.

Tonyna
Does the attention from women become
annoying after awhile or do you just view as part of the job description of being a daytime heartthrob? If you have a signinficant other, does it upset her?

Jason Thompson:
I don't mean this to be weird but, I don't get that much attention. I really don't. In my real life it's not that different then it was a few months ago.

Toni
I heard that you recently bought a house. Are you more of the "handyman" type when it comes to being a homeowner, or do you need all of the help you can get?!

Jason Thompson:
I'm much more handy. I like to do things myself. I'm doing a lot of the renovations myself. Even in the bars, we did a lot of the work ourselves.

Ayanna
What other parts of the entertainment business would you like to get into??...I know it's early but do you see yourself re-signing when your contract ends?? P.S. sorry about the oilers.

Jason Thompson:
It is a little too early to talk about contracts but I completely respect the job that I have right now. I'm anxious to see what happens. I'm having a great time. There's a lot I want to accomplish in the business but right now I'm just enjoying the ride.

FortuneKooky
DO you have many scenes with Finola over the next few weeks?

Jason Thompson:
Not that I know of. I think it would be fun to see where Robin has come from. He hasn't met Anna yet though.

April
How long were you in L.A. before you got your firts paying gig...acting or modeling?

Jason Thompson:
Modeling was probably the first week I got out here. Acting took about a year.

Julia Park
Hey Jason!.. i just wanted to say kudos to you as Patrick.. it's really fun to watch you on screen...and apart from Patrick you seem like such a chill guy... so my question is.. if you could change your character in any way... how would he be different?

Jason Thompson:
I wouldn't really change him. I think some of his actions might be harsh sometimes but it's warranted given his background. I don't think I would change anything. He's human and I can appreciate his flaws. Deep down he's not a bad guy, it's just hard for him to show it. It's easier for him to keep people at arm's length than to let him in.

Kate
I know that you are part owner in two clubs in Canada. If you not an actor, or not working with the clubs, what job/career do you think you would have?

Jason Thompson:
It would be along the lines of design and architecture. Any magazine I pick up is usually deals with design or architecture.

Steph
On the show, Robin and Patrick are colleagues who became involved. They didn't really consider or discuss how this could affect their work relationship. What are your feelings on colleagues becoming involved in personal relationships?

Jason Thompson:
For me, personally, I wouldn't go there. I shouldn't say never because you never ever know. But it's hard because emotions get high and if you have to work with someone...I would just prefer to keep things professional. I wouldn't jeopardize the work. But I can definitely see how people get involved with each other because you do develop a trust between each other.

Jason Thompson:
Thank you everybody for your unbelievable suport. And thanks for chatting with me today. If anyone will be in Atlanta over the weekend, Kimberly and I will be there celebrating the Fourth of July so come on by. We'll also be in New York for an event in late August. And we'll be at the GH fan club event in July, we're having our own personal event on Monday. Thanks again!

| Close window to return home |

This article belongs to the author and the magazine it was published in, no copyright infringement is intended.
The Romantic Garden's Site : Karma was created, designed, and is maintained by Heather.
Copyright © The RG Site 1998. All rights reserved.