Tune in Tokyo

Jonathan Silverman's first professional acting experience came at age 17, when Neil Simon cast him as the lead in the Broadway play "Brighton Beach Memoirs." Since that time, the actor has gone on to great success in movies and television. Silverman reprised his stage role as Eugene Morris Jerome, Simon's on-stage alter ego, in the film version of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and on Broadway in the play's sequels, "Biloxi Blues" and "Broadway Bound." His other film credits include "Little Sister," "Little Big League," "The Odd Couple II" and the popular comedy "Weekend at Bernie's." His most famous role came in 1995, when he played the titular character in the NBC sitcom "The Single Guy," which ran on the network for two seasons.\nEarlier this year, the 35-year-old Silverman appeared in the made-for-television movie "These Old Broads" as Shirley MacLaine's son and had a small role in the independent film "Made." In April 2002, his TV film "Bobbie's Girl" will premiere on Showtime. At around the same time, his new sitcom "Baby Bob" will debut on CBS midseason. During a break in his schedule, Silverman spoke to the IDS Weekend about his future projects, his working experiences with legendary actors and why his father is his favorite public speaker. \nQ: Tell us about your film "Bobbie's Girl."\nA: "Bobbie's Girl" is a project that I have been attached to for a number of years and am very excited about. I play a sexually and otherwise completely confused young man living in Ireland with his American sister, played by Bernadette Peters, and her lesbian lover, played by the very beautiful Rachel Ward. Of course, Ms. Peters is also very beautiful. In fact, I've had a crush on her since I was 12 years old. I've aged, but she hasn't. It was directed by a wonderful and very respected filmmaker, Jeremy Kagan, who directed "The Chosen," which is one of my favorite movies. We filmed the entire production in Dublin, and it gave me the chance to do something that few actors have -- to perform Kol Nidre (a Jewish prayer recited during Yom Kippur) in a movie.\nQ: What is the premise for "Baby Bob"?\nA: "Baby Bob" is a mid-season show for CBS and Paramount that we begin filming next month. My high school friend Joely Fisher and I play the parents of a beautiful, healthy six-month-old baby, who happens to talk. The talking baby was featured in commercials with Shaquille O'Neal about a year and a half ago. \nQ: What was it like to work with the late Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau?\nA: It was extreme honor to work alongside them. They were not only two of my favorite actors, but they were two of my favorite people. I had the pleasure of playing Jack's son in an HBO film called "For Richer, For Poorer," and then had the opportunity to play Walter's son in "The Odd Couple" sequel. They are both very missed. \nQ: What was it about you that made Neil Simon cast you as a younger version of himself?\nA: I don't know what Neil saw in me, but I am forever grateful. He gave me my big break in "Brighton Beach Memoirs" on Broadway and has kept me gainfully employed ever since. I consider myself a proud member of the Neil Simon Repertory Company; I've been in four of his movies and three of his Broadway plays. I've played him four times and his older brother once. \nQ: Your father is a rabbi, as was your grandfather, the well-known Rabbi Morris Silverman. How did this impact your decision to become an actor?\nA: I never really knew my grandfather; he passed away when I was 6. But he was one of the biggest and most influential religious leaders of his generation. I get to see his name every time I sit down in a synagogue. He edited and compiled the High Holiday and Sabbath prayer books that are used in almost every Conservative temple in America. I try and see my father preach as often as I can. In fact, I think he is one of the best public speakers I have ever heard. I learn a lot from watching him deliver a sermon -- how to make people think, laugh and cry. I admire what he and others like him do, but it was never my own personal calling. \nQ: Were there any similarities between you and Jonathan Eliot, the character you played in "The Single Guy"?\nA: We both answered to the name "Jonathan," but that's about it. Ironically, I was not even single when we made that show because I was in the middle of a five-year relationship at the time. \nQ: Why do you feel "Weekend at Bernie's" was so successful?\nA: I think people liked it so much because we made fun of death, something we all have to face one day but don't really want to. We saw this guy having more fun dead than he did when he was alive. \nQ: Is there any legacy you want to leave behind?\nA: I don't want to leave anything behind. I'm taking it all with me when I go.