Interview with T.J. Thyne

We got the opportunity to do an interview with T.J. Thyne, one of the main characters on the television hit show "Bones". He tells us about his experience on set and his favorite moments with his co-stars. The interview could contain spoilers.

Foto: Copyright: Foto: RTL
© Foto: RTL

Photo: RTL

The interview is © myFanbase 2008. Please do not copy it to other websites or messageboards


1. What tempted you most to play the role of Dr. Jack Hodgins in "Bones" – was it perhaps to dig into dirt or enunciate conspiracy theories?

Ha Ha, no, though i do LOVE anytime Jack gets to get a bit dirty. Honestly, it was getting the chance to work with Hart Hanson and Barry Josephson as well as the director of the pilot Greg Yaitanes. I had acted for Greg in a few projects before and he had cast me in a few projects that my schedule didn't allow me to do. When he read the pilot he said "If I know TJ, he'll bring something to this guy Hodgins that I'm not yet seeing." So he brought me to meet Hart & Barry for my first audition. I debated going (again, my resistance to the series regular position, but with Greg and hart and barry, it was a no brainer to take the leap.) You know what’s funny, I actually remember seeing Greg at a party a few weeks before my first audition. He was telling me about the show. No one had been cast yet. It was still called BRENNAN. He said they were meeting with the actor who played TONY on 24 the next day, and that one of the actors they were considering strongly for the part of the lead detective was David Boreanez. I remember saying "Oh yeah, I worked with David on Angel!" he asked what I thought working with him... who knew that David and I would end up working together for FOUR YEARS ALREADY after that little interview. He also said they hadn't yet found the lead actress to play Brennnan. Apparently, a week later, Emily walked in and the rest is history.

Spoiler! 2. When you compare yourself to Dr. Jack Hodgins – what do you have in common and where do you see differences?

Hmmmmmm....dangerous question to answer!! um....okay, I'll take the bait. Season 1, Jack was REALLY angry and overly obsessed with science and conspiracy. I, TJ, am not an angry guy and science and conspiracy is far from my interest. At first, I just played Jack as he was...but I really wanted Jack to be less a Doctor, and more a human being with humor and emotion, you know flesh & blood, who happens to be a doctor by trade. So if I look back, as the seasons have progressed, Jack has slowly taken on more and more of TJ and less and less a character. I'm much more the Jack of mid-season 2 and season 3 then season 1 and...possibly season 4....i hope Jack doesn't revert back to just being a lab rat. We will see where this year leads, its an interesting, confusing place for the character of Jack Hodgins right now. I'm really not sure where they are taking him. He (Jack) is going through a lot of sadness and loss with Zack leaving and Angela breaking his heart, which is honest and wonderful to play. I hope he gets to keep that human element running through, find himself again, but stay a great guy... It's what interests me most. Doesn't it you?? Don't you prefer seeing Jack in relation to others rather than just the relation to facts and bugs? anyway, there's my two cents on that one.

3. What was your most favorite moment on the set of "Bones"?

Any scene with Tamara and Eric when off screen we were howling with laughter. Man those two crack me up so much! There's this really professional, easy tone when Z, J & C are together. Emily cracks me up too…..love her!

4. How is the atmosphere on set or behind the scenes?

You want the honest answer? It depends. It really depends on who's working and what the scenes are. This show is like a family. It's had a lot of joy (and still does) and also its fair share of drama and...well...I'll just stop there.

5. You got to know David Boreanaz on the set of "Angel". How was it to play again side by side?

David’s a great guy. Total professional which I respect. We don't get to see enough Booth & Hodgins scenes. they were always a lot of fun together I thought, but those two guys just don't seem to be written together anymore...huh. that should be remedied. I say more Booth & Hodgins scenes!

6. Did you read any of Kathy Reich's novels?

Yes. I did. I love Kathy's writing! She was so kind and just recently dropped off her newest book to me, signed by her. Love me some Kathy!

7. When did you know that you want to become an actor or was it by chance?

I knew when I was about six. I would watch my 5 brothers & sisters acting in school and telling me stories and making me laugh and It just became clear to me that all the things that interested me: Chef, Fireman, detective, cowboy, etc. could be wrapped up in the single honorable profession of the storyteller in the form of an actor. I never questioned it and to this day feel soo very lucky to have found what I love to do in this world. To effect, educate and entertain through the mediums of stage & screen! Such a joy for me! always and forever.

8. You are one of the founders of "Theatre Junkies Productions". Can you tell us a little bit what you and your colleagues do there?

Ah, Theatre Junkies! Home away from home!!! Theatre Junkies is a community of like-minded artists of all mediums (music, dance, theatre, film, fine-arts...) who come together to inspire and create in a supportive creative community. We screen films, produce theatre, make movies, throw parties, have community out-reach programs, etc. etc. And it keeps growing! We are getting more and more interested peeps involved. Our short film "VALDIATION" has won its 20th film festival award just recently and our films SLOW and THE PHONE BOOK are running festival circuits now. We are getting ready to make our first feature in the next year. Keep watching! a year from now, who knows where we'll be!

9. What are you doing in your spare time when you are not on set? What hobbies do you have?

Drums & Piano, and photography, and teaching spinning, and boxing, running, swimming, and Theatre Junkies. Making a ton of short films for festivals and producing theatre pieces for LA and New York. and I cook, and I travel and I have to come to Germany!

10. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about TV series do you have a favorite one?

The Original "THE OFFICE". currently on: "Flight of the concorde" and "Entourage" and "The wire" and "Rescue Me" and "30 days" and "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Curb your Enthusiasm" and "DEXTER!" oooo Dexter! and "madmen" and "top Chef" and "the shield" and "Friday night lights...is that still on? I hope so...and and and oh so much more!

Catherine Bühnsack - myFanbase