General Hospital - NEWS ROOM

After last month's two-part interview with Jason Gerhardt (Cooper Barrett), we know that he is new to General Hospital -- and show business in general for the most part. That's why I thought it would be great to talk to him soon after his very first Daytime Emmy's ceremony in hopes that we can see the even through his "virgin" eyes! Jason and I had a lovely phone conversation yesterday and I could feel his enthusiasm through the phone connection. The first thing Jason said was that he kept pinching himself. "I'm telling you, it was really a lot of fun, I felt like a little kid while I was in the Kodak Theater. My wife and I enjoyed the entire thing," he told me. He pointed out that he enjoyed seeing celebrities - not only from the soaps, but people like Bob Barker, Dr. Phil and Ellen DeGeneres.

But let's start at the beginning - the outfits! Jason said that the people in the GH wardrobe department really helped put his - and Chalae, his wife's - look together. They picked his suit for him and then he went out and shopped for his own shirt and tie, ultimately going for a silver-on-silver look. As for the newly pregnant Chalae (due in December!), originally she found a vintage dress that she liked, but the wardrobe specialists pointed out that the fit wasn't just right so they helped her find something that was perfect. Jason and I commented that we all probably walk around with ill-fitting clothes and without the benefit of a wardrobe department, we'll never even know!

Next I asked Jason what the day was like for him. I wondered if he had some kind of "pre big day" kind of ritual. I think I forgot for a moment that he is a man and, of course, men don't usually think that way! (In hindsight, I should've asked Julie Marie Berman -- nominated for her role as Lulu Spencer -- what her day was like. I'm guessing that she had a ritual!) Jason said that GH gave them the day off because they needed to be dressed and ready by 2 p.m. He said that he and his wife dropped their two year-old daughter off at the sitter's and they were off! You'll never guess their mode of transportation. Go ahead…try. They took the subway! I lived in LA a lifetime ago and I didn't even know they had a subway for crying out loud. But they do now and Jason took it to his first ever Daytime Emmy's. In fact, they went to the show with Lindze Letherman (Georgie Jones), who hopped on the subway along with them. Jason smiled as he told me (I don't know how I knew he was smiling through the phone, I just do), "We parked at Universal Studios. There was just one stop and we were there in just five minutes." He marveled that there was no traffic and an escalator right off of the train took them right up to the Kodak Theater. I asked about their late-night return and he said they were preparing to go the same route home, but Lindze's boyfriend arrived at the ABC after party and took them home. Jason's comments about the party? "Relaxed." "Good food." And "dancing." Sounds good to me!

Next, I asked for some input about Genie Francis' much deserved first Emmy win. He says that he was thrilled for her and that "Luke and Laura are legends. I wasn't even a big soap watcher (before) and I knew about them." Jason told me that he watched some of the tapes that were submitted for the Leading Actress category and was blown away by the talent. He noted that Bold and the Beautiful's Lesli Kay's submitted scenes blew him away, then I explained what a powerful storyline it was when her character was dying of cancer last year. But back to Genie! I told Jason that Soaps.com fans are dying to get Laura Spencer back and we were blown away by her recent comments that she wants to come back. He laughed and guessed that The Powers That Be (in soap lingo that's "TPTB") are working on that. He quickly realized that, as a journalist, I might jump all over such insider speculation and he said, "I wish I could help you there." Smart guy, that Jason.

Jason talked to me on his day off, so I was careful not to take up too much of his time. Before letting him go, I asked if there was anyone in particular who he was star struck to see. He said that it was interesting because he would've thought he would pick Barbara Walters, but when it came right down to it, Betty White "took it far and away for me". It turns out that Jason's mother was a big "Golden Girls" fan while he was growing up and that explains that! He introduced himself and was thrilled to have spoken with her for a few minutes, because her character, Rose, was always his favorite. As for his wife, she was particularly excited to chat it up with a fellow 2nd-time-mom-to-be, Elizabeth Hasselbeck from "The View". As for their little girl who watched the Tivo version of the Daytime Emmy's with them later, Elmo was the clear favorite.

I told Jason that I hope to talk with him now and again as we keep him on the front burner at Soaps.com. He enthusiastically agreed to keep an open line with us. He clarified for me that he does indeed have a four-year contract, but laughed when he said that the show gives itself a few outs. "You never know when you're going to catch a stray bullet," he quips. I certainly hope not!

Thanks for your time -- and enthusiasm -- Jason. It is fun for us to be on your heals as you ride the thrilling wave of new stardom.

Julie Clark Robinson, "General Hospital" Editor on Soaps.com