Epidemic Charms
Let The Burning Zone's hot new doc give you a fever
by Jenny Higgons (transcript)
Playgirl 01/1997 (Scans) What could possibly come after The X Files, Fox TV's wildly popular series where "the truth is out there," and you "trust no one?" The UPN Network and Universal productions believe that The Burning Zone, a cutting edge drama set in the ominous present that blends science and science fiction is just the ticket for the discriminating, if not slightly paranoid, X File fan. Thirtyish Jeffrey Dean Morgan stars as virologist Dr. Edward Marcase, a brilliant scientist (with a deeply mystical bent) who heads up an elite bio-crisis team brought together to battle modern-day plagues.
Jeffrey, a Seattle native, impressed the powers-that-be with guest roles in series like Sliders, Jag, and Extreme, but this is his first starring television role. As he spoke to PLAYGIRL from the Hollywood home he shares with two dogs and a cat, the most appealing quality he reveals is passion coupled with a keen sense of the absurd. If his light-hearted intensity is anything to go by, his smoldering poster-boy good looks will soon hold a place of honor next to that thinking gals sex symbol, David Duchoveny. Your publicity photos for The Burning Zone are really sexy. What's your beauty secret?
Shower once a day, if not more often. What's the deal with the semi-shaven look?
By the first episode I'll be shaved. We went for the rough look for the pilot -- it all depends on what the network wants. Maybe they thought that some women don't like to kiss a guy with stubble, because it hurts the skin.
I've heard that. I haven't made out with a guy for hundreds of years, so I don't even remember what it's like. (laughs) I know it irritates women's cheeks, because women's cheeks are sensitive. Are you sensitive?
Oh, I cry during McDonald's commercials. When was the last time you cried about something?
When I saw Phenomenon. I cried through the whole movie. It's a blatant tear-jerker. How did you like that scene where Kyra Sedgewick shaves John Travolta and cuts his hair?
That scene was so sensual and passionate without being fruity or going over the top. I mean, heck, I'd like to be shaved like that someday. Then again, I don't know if I'd trust someone with a razor on my face. Maybe you should shave your girlfriend's legs.
I probably wouldn't be very good at it because I cut myself plenty. How do you think Edward's romantic style differs from your own?
I haven't seen much of that side of him yet. I think it'll be very much like mine. But he sounds cocky and mucho about stuff, and you don't sound like that.
Well, he's only cocky about what he knows, which is his work. I think he wants what everybody wants, which is somebody to go through life with who can laugh with him and filter out some of the crap we all go through. If you can't have somebody who can easy the crap and make you laugh, then you're in bad shape. But what about his romantic style?
Oh, he's a romantic son of a bitch. Oh, Jesus Christ, he is. I've got it all figured out for him. He's going to be a "candlelight dinner, shave-me" kind of guy. But I don't know if he's have time for a romantic interest for a while. What's your romantic style? Do you like to be the one to take charge?
I prefer it to be 50/50. Have you ever had a girl ask you out?
Yeah. It doesn't bother me. Sometimes it makes things easier. How do you take rejection?
Horribly. I sulk, I mope. Aren't you used to it by now?
(laughs) You know, I don't think anyone ever gets used to rejection. But don't ever go into a situation thinking you'll be rejected, I'll tell you that. An actor once told me that they can get somewhat immune to it because of all the auditions they go on.
That's true. We have enough doors slammed in our faces that we should get used to it, but that actor lied, because you never get used to rejection. You have to go into every situation -- whether it be a job interview or trying to get a date -- like you're going to win. And when you don't, it's a mopey, depressing situation. Do you want to get married someday?
Yes, I do. But I don't have any immediate plans because I know I wasn't good at it the first time around. Maybe you didn't have time to give it enough of a chance.
Well, that's probably true. I guess you know what it's like when you meet the person... I'm hoping. I hoping that since I had my one screw-up, the next time around will be the real thing. What's the best thing about being single?
Not having to file a joint tax return! (laughs) You have the sexiest voice. If you ever needed money you could go into phone sex.
Well, there you go... sure. The voice works over the phone. Now, if you were sitting right here with me, you'd probably see right past my voice and be laughing at me. (laughs) Tell me about the first girl you ever dated.
The first real relationship I had was when I was out of high school. She was very cool. Did you lose your virginity with her?
No. I lost it prior to that. I believe it was at a friend's house. Do you have any bad date stories?
Not that I can remember. I'm sure I've had plenty of them, but it's been so long since I've been on a date because I've been going out steadily with one girl or another. You just broke up with your girlfriend. What happened?
We didn't "break up" break up. She's away doing a movie right now and I'm here doing the show. We needed a sabbatical and that's what's going on. Do I consider myself single? Sure, I guess so. Am I looking? No. What's your best quality as a boyfriend?
I have to go with my sense of humor. I truly believe that's what gets you through the day. What about your worst quality?
I have a short temper. I don't hit people or anything like that, but I kind of shut off and don't listen when I should. That includes all aspects of my life. I've got to learn to be there more for other people as far as listening goes. It sounds like you'd be a decent guy to date.
I think I'd be a decent guy to date. Heck, I'd date me. (laughs) Have you ever done anything unusual to grab a woman's attention?
You mean besides just pursue them fervently and send them flowers and act like a doof? No. (laughs) That's just what you do when you're pursuing a girl. Do you give up easily if a woman turns you down?
No. I can be relentless. How long have you pursued someone before she said yes?
I had to go through a couple of months pursuance, a ritual, with the girl I've been dating to eventually win her over. What kinds of girls did you get crushes on when you where younger?
The same girls I get crushes on now. What do they all have in common?
They were all really mean to me. (laughs) No, I'm kidding. They all had a sense of humor. Every single one of them was funnier than hell. If they don't have a sense of humor, it's not going to last too long with me. What about looks-wise?
I've been lucky to find girls who have been beautiful and had a sense of humor. Have you ever dated a girl whose looks weren't exactly perfect, but you went out with her anyway?
Yeah. The sense of humor can make the looks stellar to me. How long do you think it takes to really get to know a woman?
I don't know if you ever really get to know anybody. You can find out something different about someone every day or every minute you're with them. To say you know somebody is very pompous, because I'm not sure if you ever really do. The great thing about relationships is that you find out more about them and yourself every day and how you each deal with circumstances and moments. To answer the question, I guess to feel comfortable with a person -- not necessarily to get to know them -- if I had to put a clock on it I'd say six months to feel comfortable with somebody. Unless you're walking into a relationship with a friendship already established, which I think is the most important thing in a relationship. What are some of the most important things a relationship needs?
Respect, trust... If you can't respect and trust your partner, what's the point? What's the post significant thing a girlfriend ever taught you about a romantic relationship?
How to compromise. How many times have you been in love?
I've said "I love you" three times in my life -- to three different women. Now, whether or not that's true and I did love them, I can't tell you. I loved them at the time, but looking back, did I really? How do you know when it's real?
You know what? When you figure that one out, you let me know. I guess you always think it's real. And you hope it's real. Did you ever say, "I love you" to any of those women and they didn't say, "I love you" back.
No. Have you ever had a woman say it to you when you didn't feel it for her?
Yes. What did you do?
Change the subject. "How 'bout those Seahawks?" (laughs)
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