TCA Press Tour 2011: No More Bad Hair Days for Mark-Paul Gosselaar
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When Mark-Paul Gosselaar starred in his last series, 2008’s ‘Raising the Bar,’ it wasn’t his character of a driven public defender that attracted the most notice. It was his hair--an unkempt, grungy mullet that many viewers said looked greasy and distracting. Although he got a haircut in the second season, the impression of his bad hair days never really went away.
Gosselaar is back in justice mode in his new show, ‘Franklin & Bash,’ and he and the cast appeared at the Television Critics Association press tour today to discuss the show. Gosselaar plays a plucky street lawyer who joins a presigious, no-nonsense law firm. His hair is not an issue -- the handsome actor’s coif is groomed and slick. The series, which also stars Breckin Meyer and Malcolm McDowell, will premiere this summer on TNT.
Appearing before TV reporters Thursday, Gosselaar made it clear that although he’s played back-to-back attorneys in his last two TV projects, the differences are signifciant. He’s having a lot more fun.
‘That other character was a noble public defender, and to play that character was so righteous,’ he said. ‘I miss the nobility of playing him, but it is really nice to be on a show that is much lighter. It just feels very different.’
The tone of the series certainly appears to be much more comedic. Gosselaar and Meyer, who play partners who don’t quite play by the rules, display an easy chemistry, and their attraction toward women will figure into the storylines.
Said Gosselaar: ‘It’s fresh.’
--Greg Braxton
