By Jamie Ruby

The USA series Necessary Roughness focuses on the character of Dr. Dani Santino, played by Callie Thorne. Dani's life is turned upsidedown when she finds out her husband cheated. Pushing herself more into her work, she becomes a therapist for high-profile patients, such as athletes, entertainers, and politicians. The series also stars Marc Blucas as Matthew Donnally, Mehcad Brooks as Terrance "TK" King, and Scott Cohen as Nico.

Tonight is the season one finale of the series, with special guest star football icon Terrell Owens as TK's lifelong rival. In the episode, the Hawks head into the playoffs as Dr. Dani works with a new client. Also Nico must choose where his loyalties lie.

Both Marc Blucas and Terrell Owens sat down with the media to talk about the series.

USA Network Conference Call
Necessary Roughness
Marc Blucas and Terrell Owens

September 9, 2011
2:00 pm CT

QUESTION: Terrell, what sparked your acting bug?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, I've done a few things, you know, throughout my career playing football, so I've done a lot of cameos here and there, and you know as of lately, I've done a lot of acting. I did a comedy last year called Dysfunction Friends that's hopefully going to be hitting the theaters this fall, just did, obviously, Necessary Roughness, did an episode on Single Ladies, just did a - taped another little episode on Good Christian Bale that's going to be on ABC sometime in the fall.

So, I just - I've just had a lot of people, you know, that told me that I was very comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of people have kind of hinted on me doing commentating, broadcasting, things of that nature, but you know I have a lot of friends that are in the industry, a new friend in Marc Blucas who I've known for a while, and you know Mehcad Brooks.

And I've had, I mean, a great cast of people that I've worked with along the way, so I'm very fortunate and thankful to USA and everybody that brought me aboard to play and participate with this role of Necessary Roughness.

QUESTION: Marc, what was it about this particular role and this show that brought you back to television?

MARC BLUCAS: So many times actors are so drawn to the character that's so opposite of them. We want to play roles that have nothing to do with ourselves so we can create a character that's so unique and so different than what we're used to doing in our daily lives.

But to be honest with you, in this particular case, you know, being - you know, obviously I was not near an athlete to the caliber of (unintelligible) stature, but it's just so nice for me having been a college athlete and been around the world of sports for so long, to play a character that that was his career, that was his passion.

To be involved in that, you know, it's so nice to be able to bring a second layer to the process. You know, so many times it's kind of stand here, say this, say this in what we do as actors. And so, it was nice that they given me kind of the freedom, the writers and the creators, to say -they'll bounce their ideas off of me and say, "Hey, is this real? Does this work? They know that that was part of my world before the acting was.

So, you know, much like T there, you know, he says he's transitioning into maybe doing this a little more, and you know I was kind of the JV version of that.

QUESTION: Well, I'm so glad you Sarah Michelle are back on television; big Buffy fan.

MARC BLUCAS: Wow, that's great. Yeah, you know, and (Anthony) (unintelligible) on our show now too, so it's like it seems like a lot of cast is on there - kind of back (on on) the regular TV series gig.

QUESTION: I'm sure you don't go a day without hearing something.

MARC BLUCAS: It - recently, you know, the way I've always defined the Buffy fans, the fan base is like either you never watched it or you never missed it, and that's usually (unintelligible). I've never met - of the ten years since it's been since that - since my time on that show aired, I've never met anyone that said, "Yeah, I saw a few episodes." People either said, "Yeah, I never saw it. I heard about it, but never saw it," or they'd never answer the phone, never took a bathroom break, like they just did not miss it.

QUESTION: Terrell, since this is such a dynamic rivalry between The Minefield and TK, in what ways did you relate to both characters?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, obviously I've been where TK is with this character, so I can definitely understand what he's going through. But then at the same time, I've gone against, you know, The Minefield before, so I kind of know the disposition, the mindset of a DB like that that he's going against. So again, I was definitely totally opposite of someone that I would play.

But again, me being around, you know, football and me understanding the mindset of a defensive back, it was kind of - it wasn't too hard for me to transition into, but I just really just listened to the director and as far as the direction that they wanted me to take the character to. And at the same time, I kind of just, you know, took upon that character of myself - with myself and I just tried to make the best of it.

QUESTION: Since TK struggles with the thought that it may be his last game before he goes up against The Minefield, how did you find the strength to overcome similar moments in your career, like even last with the Bengals?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, that's the thing; you just have to be mentally strong. You know, I think TK's character is a little bit exaggerated that - than me, so again - but I have gone through those moments where you kind of struggle. But at the same time, you just have to be mentally strong and go out there and you have to just play, but again you know, the character TK played by Mehcad, you know I've seen some episodes, and so he's done a great job.

QUESTION: My first question is for Marc Blucas.

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah.

QUESTION: I think there is an interesting parallel in the relationship between Matt and TK and the relationship between Matt and Dani, because it seems like whenever Matt and Dani are closer, Matt and TK also manage to have a closer relationship. It happened throughout the season and it seems it's going to happen in the finale too, because going by the promo Matt and Dani have to join forces to save TK from himself.

Can you tell us a little bit of what is going to happen in the finale between Matt and TK and Matt and Dani? How does the relationship come to get to cause whatever happens, without spoiling too much of course, but what you can tell us about that?

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah, well, what I like - yeah, it's a good question. What I like so much about - the - I'll start general and get specific, but what I like so much about Matt and playing a trainer is, you know, having good friends that are pro athletes, and I think that Terrell can probably attest to this, you know training staff kind of sits on the fence and they play both sides, because they get to see the behind the curtains and get to see the coaches and some of the front office and some of the decisions that are made on an administrative level and see the business of the game.

But also, they get an opportunity to be friends with the players. The trainers and the athletic and the staff they spend so much time with the athletes. A lot of times moreso than the head coaches do. I mean, always more than the head coaches do. And so, you get a really good chance to grow a friendship as much as have that professional dynamic.

Now, TK, we see him continually spiraling out of control being self-destructive and making bad decisions, and often times yet Matt and Dani have to kind of join forces to figure out the best way to go about correcting - you know, correcting that. You know, and in the Finale, you know, I think that, you know, the character that Terrell plays actually just (unintelligible). It doesn't matter if you're talking football or acting here, here's a guy who is a trained professional and (unintelligible).

He hit this role out of the park, but we've all been in that position where we have that "nemesis" in life. That person that kind of like whether it's the school bully or whether (unintelligible) on the athletic team or in the academic arena, you always have that person that really gets in our head that really just messes with us, and so TK, who let's just say, doesn't have a framework to be able to deal with his own life, let alone someone in - someone coming in and throwing a curve ball in (unintelligible) playing head games for him really throws him for a real loop.

And so, you know, Matt and Dani have to do what they can to try to keep him on point in the (unintelligible).

QUESTION: Terrell, I was wondering if there was any interaction between your character of Kevin and Nico, or does Kevin steer clear of needing any handling by Nico?

TERRELL OWENS: Yeah. Yeah, I think, you know, I kind of steer clear of those guys, so you know my character basically - was basically to get in the head of TK. And again, you know, this is my obviously first experience being on a show like this, and so I would be very pleased with the cast, the direction that they wanted me to take the character of The Minefield into.

And I try to do the best - you know, to do the best of my abilities, considering that, you know, I'm definitely trying to transition into the acting world, those guys made it very, very comfortable for me to do that, and you know I'm looking forward to doing more and more stuff and possibly coming back next season, you know, as a reoccurring role.

QUESTION: Marc, do you know if Matt is as squeaky clean as we've seen so far, or does he have a darker side that he's kept hidden from everyone?

MARC BLUCAS: No, I think in reality, I think that this part (unintelligible) could (unintelligible) so much back (unintelligible), but you know kind of have to pick and choose your storylines a little bit. And I thought Nico was actually (unintelligible) and executed by Scott Cohen. I thought he did a beautiful job, along with the writers of really developing a terrific part for my character through the whole season, and Matt's the one we don't know much about actually.

Like we've only caught glimpses. We heard a little bit about his dreams and his ambitions and the things he wants to do and transition into, but we really haven't seen that other side. And so, it's funny that even in the last three episodes of this season we've spent a lot of time talking about what those things could be moving forward, and I think that the writers have a really great plan.

I'm excited about it because, you know, you have to have that duality. We all bring our home to work and we all bring work home, and so we - it's the side of Matt we haven't seen. And so I'm looking forward to us seeing some of the (chase in the armor) a little bit.

QUESTION: My first question is for Terrell. How true to life do you find the show from what you know of it so far, as far as the football aspect; training, player interactions, and stuff like that? Do you think viewers are getting a more or less accurate glance of what pro football is behind the scenes?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, yeah, definitely. I think there's some definite parallels to what's goes on in the football world and what you see on the show. And I think that's what's so refreshing about the show, because these are the type of things that players go through on an everyday basis that really that the outside world and the fans really don't get to see.

So again, I like shows like this because it definitely gives an insight as to some of the things, the particulars that goes on, you know, with players, and with the business of football. And so, I think some of that is - you know gets taken away by all the glitz and glamour of actually the actual games days, and what goes along with that.

So, like I - again, I can't be, you know, more pleased with being - with, you know, being a part of something that has been so great.

QUESTION: Marc, you've gotten to show off some of your basketball skills in the season so far, was that something that was part of Matt's character originally, or did they add it for you?

MARC BLUCAS: No, they kind of added it in. You know, my (stop line), and you're going to have to bleep me out of whatever your media outlet is going to be, but my (stop line) has always - my (stop line) is going to always send (unintelligible).

And in the world of pro sports I'm a slug. In the world of actors I'm a phenomenal fucking athlete, and so knowing what my background was they were quick to write in basketball scenes and change the character around, because one it's an active fun place to see teams. It's like on the football field, it gives us another place to that's not in the training room.

And two it's, you know, all the actors at the bottom of their resume they have the special skillset and when they find out you can do something and you've done something at a professional level, they have an opportunity to write it and change it, and that's the beauty of television that you can adapt as you go. You can write for your actors.

Whereas a movie it's kind of like beginning, middle, and end, and there's only like - the character - all - the whole character is pretty much spelled out right there and there's no chance for adaptability. And so, it has been a nice thing for me. It is fund fun kind of to come out and go in - and have them write something for me, like the - kind of the first part of my life and the first passion I had.

QUESTION: Yeah, that makes the character much more yours when they can do some of the things you can do.

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah, of course.

SCIFI VISION: So, the first question's for Marc. I read that you were born in Butler, which is actually not very far from where I'm at, so I'm curious...because I know there's not a lot around here, how did you get into acting and kind of how did that start?

MARC BLUCAS: You know, it - I have a - you know, Terrell's going to have probably a similar story. I mean, he's obviously a superstar on a global level, and so things kind of transition, but for an athlete, you know, I was a business major in college, I had a full scholarship to law school, I thought I was on the path.

When you're from a small town in Pennsylvania you're supposed to be a doctor, lawyer, or dentist. You use your sports to get out the town, you know, it's All the Right Moves, and then you go to a professional school. And there was a local movie shooting in North Carolina where they needed a white kid that could play basketball, I got an audition, I went in and did it and I got it, and then the cliché happened; I caught the bug.

And that was - you know, that was (unintelligible), I used kind of sports as the springboard to kind of get me a few other opportunities after that. My next one was like Pleasantville where they needed - I went in and I was the (tech) advisor and I had a role and I bet the director that if I could half court shot he'd give me a line in the movie, and I hit it on the first try, you know? And I hit it (all) six weeks on it and had a few lines, and that was kind of my entrée in.

So, a lot like what Terrell's doing right now, which is like, "Hey, look I have a very special, very unique skill, I have some opportunity," not to mention he's very comfortable and very confident in what he's doing. He takes direction, he's been dealing with coaches his whole life. And so, for a lot of athletes it's an easy transition to go into acting because, you know, we're used to performing, we're used to getting graded and having tapes rewound. You know, "You did this wrong. You did this right," so you're constantly under the microscope and it's a comfortable place to be.

And so, it just felt like a natural transition to me, and then it kind of presented itself and then I just chased it. I started studying. I had that same mentality that I applied to basketball, just like - just immerse yourself in it; I started taking classes five nights a week. And then, then you kind of follow your head, heart, and gut and then you know you have to explore that when all those things line up.

SCIFI VISION: Terrell, what have you learned from this experience? What are you going to take away with you after working on Necessary Roughness?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, the thing is, you know, just talking with Mehcad and some of the directors, the casting directors, I mean they just basically told me that, you know, just be confident. You know, I'm constantly asking questions as to, you know, am I getting what they want or what they need?

Everybody was very pleased with my acting skills, considering you know I'm trying to transition. And me being a football player and a lot of football players that have tried to do it, it doesn't come off naturally and genuine. So, I think with me just talking to them and obviously Mehcad, you know, he's - he basically told me on a number of occasions, he's like, "Dude," he's like, "You've got it. He's like, "I was very surprised at your acting skills," this and that.

And considering that I haven't taken a whole lot of acting classes, but I'm starting - you know, I've signed with an agent and I need to get into a lot more acting classes to really perfect the craft and really - you know, really dig deep into, you know, developing characters or what have you.

So, you know, just being on the cast for the short amount of time - being on set the short amount of time that I was, I was always kind of just, you know, being intuitive, you know very observant, you know kind of looking around, watching how Mehcad and everybody handled themselves in situations. So, every time that I step on a set and I have to do something, I'm always going to ask questions, I'm always going to be watching to see, you know, how people are really developing their characters and all that stuff.

So, anytime that I can get on the set and be with anybody and pick their brains I'm going to do that. So - and at the same time, now that I'm doing a little bit more acting, I'm really looking at movies, sitcoms, any type of show. I look at it in a different way now.

QUESTION: Marc, let me ask you a question first. In this last episode we saw Matt kind of laid it out for Dani basically saying, you know, "Hey, I'm here, so do something about it." But, if she doesn't I'm guessing he's not going to stick around, is that kind of what we can expect to see play out in the finale?

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah. You know, I thought that the writers did a really nice job of like - of kind of teasing that place in life in this episode that just aired. And then in the Finale, Matt really lays that on the table and just say, "Hey, look, this is where I'm at professionally. This is where I'm at personally. This is where I'm at socially. These are the things I want in my life."

And he spells it out to her and says, "Hey, look, I have an opportunity to go somewhere else," and you know I really think that - you know, I've really tried to play Matt in a way that is very straightforward and blunt. I think that's both strong and I think it's vulnerable at the same time. But, I think that we've all been through those transition points in our life where we breathe (unintelligible) our life where we're writing to say, "Hey, look, I'm ready to settle down or I'm ready for this." Where we know exactly what we want. What is our (happiness)? We know exactly what makes us happy.

And while, you know, look at the end of the day Matt and Dani only had one night together, but he sees the potential for something more and he wants to explore it. And I think it's courageous to sit there and say, "Hey, look, this is what I want. I think it's worth giving it a shot, and if not then we'll have to go a different way with our relationship altogether or friendship." It's just (unintelligible) supposed to be around her, what have you.

So, I like that he really spells it out for her in the end, and then you'll see how she responds.

QUESTION: Terrell, you would think playing a football player would not be a challenge for you since you've done it so much in your life, but were there challenges that you weren't expecting kind of actually having to do it as a character?

TERRELL OWENS: No, not too much. Again, it was - it's definitely something opposite of - in terms of position that I play. But at the same time, you know, I took on my personality naturally as a receiver. I tried to, you know, channel that personality in the mindset and mind frame of The Minefield, if you will.

So, again, The Minefield's character, I mean he's - he is the top dog. You know, he is a guy that has shut TK down, you know, and any occasion at any time. And so, this is a guy that's really - that's trying to mentally - you know, he's already - TK is already mentally out of it right now, so he's really just trying to check him out of a game.

So, to have that mentality, you know, shutting somebody down that, you know, he's going to catch anything, you're not going to - I mean he's going to stop them at any cost. That's the mentality that I have on the football field in real life that when I'm up against somebody like The Minefield my mindset is that you can't stop me. No matter what you do, bring your best, you still can't stop me on your best day. So, that's the mentality that I try to bring out with The Minefield.

And so, in talking to everybody that has - you know, that's seen the show already they said I did a good job of pulling that off.

QUESTION: So, this finale seems like it's a "go big or go home" sort of episode, so for the both you, what would you say has been the memorable moment on set while working on this episode in particular?

TERRELL OWENS: Do you want to go first, Marc?

MARC BLUCAS: No. If you have an answer go ahead, otherwise I definitely have one. Actually, I'll go first because it's a compliment. I'm going to stroke you on this one.

Look, this is our last episode and it's a good one. And it was our last episode and for us to like be winding up a season, you know, it's that feeling that like school's out; you're ready for summer. And it's always nice when you have a curve ball or a surprise thrown at you, and when Terrell signed up to do this we were all very excited about it.

Not only was he perfect for the role, but it's exciting to have an elite athlete come and join our show that has athletics as a primary story point and backdrop for us. And so, as an actor and as a football fan and as an athlete, for me to start my day in the Georgia Dome playing catch with Terrell Owens before I do my acting, like that's a good thing for me. That's a good thing for me.

So, that - you know, that's - I got to say that that - for that particular episode that was definitely the highlight.

TERRELL OWENS: Okay, thanks.

MARC BLUCAS: I'm not going to tell you that he dropped the ball every time I threw it because I've got so much food on it, but that was fun.

TERRELL OWENS: Oh, thanks, Marc, for the compliment.

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah.

TERRELL OWENS: I would say just being on set, you know, was a joy for me. You know, we aspire to actually being a part of the show. I sat down with the casting directors, the executive producers, and what you, and you know for myself I didn't really know what The Minefield character was going to be like until I actually got the script and started reading through it.

And so, once I started reading through it really got the mental picture of what - how I wanted to carry out the character of The Minefield. Again, you know, me being on set with these guys was just a joy in itself, and I think everything that's so new for me that I'm always sitting around, I'm taking everything in, trying to take direction, because I really want to take this acting thing seriously and I want people to take me serious at the same time.

But, I want to have fun, but you know I think the fun comes when you have a great cast and you have guys like Marc and Mehcad and everybody that's involved with shooting a movie or a sitcom or what have you, it makes the environment that much better and make you more comfortable with, you know, doing your job.

And so for myself, dude, I just -you know, just the moment, you know, just being around the people. Me, just - really like I said, I'm trying to grasp everything that I can, as far as, you know, watching these guys, you know, act and perfect their craft. And I want to do the same thing because this is, you know, something that I'm really - part of my portfolio because I definitely, at some point, you know, I'm going to be done with football and I want to transition into acting and this is definitely a stepping stone.

USA Network has given me that platform to do that, and so I'm hoping and - that, you know, they're pleased with what I gave them, and so - and they can take me seriously down the road.

QUESTION: Marc, first off, you have quite a diverse resume. If you had a dream job, movies, TV series, or just kind of, you know, taking what's offered to you of your choosing, what would you choose?

MARC BLUCAS: Boy, that's a hard question. I mean, you're right, I have been very blessed. I have a pretty diverse resume. I've gotten a chance to really work with some terrific filmmakers and great actors, and I'm very content and happy. I mean, at the same time I'm passionate about what I do, and as actors we always want to keep working and kind of get the next thing.

And you know if I look at the movies that I love or whatnot then I'm going to probably say, "Hey, look, who - what actor my age doesn't want a Bourne Identity franchise?" You know, like - you know, with that level of filmmaker and that level of storytelling, I'm (stinking man) action movie fan, and so I love that kind of film.

And as far as TV goes, like I don't think it gets much better than this. Like you have all these critically acclaimed darlings like Mad Men and I'm sure that, you know, I'm friends with Jon Hamm and I'm sure they're very creative, it's (unintelligible), it's fun to work on in their own right. But, given that sports was my background, but USA is the number one cable network that our creators and writers are so collaborative and so - and such nice human beings, like I have to say that as far as the TV series world goes, like I kind of feel like I haven't (moved).

I'm working with a really talented, really nice group of people, both in - both on camera and off camera. And so, I feel pretty fortunate with where I'm at right now and I'm very happy with it.

QUESTION: Terrell, you mentioned something a while ago about a recurring guest role possibly, how is that looking for you on Necessary Roughness?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, I mean that's really up to the producers and everybody involved. And you know if that's case then, you know, I'm definitely going to, you know, be ready to jump in and do more stuff. So, you know, it's really up to - you know, that's up to those guys.

You know, as far as I know they were pleased with, you know, what I had to offer, you know, as an actor you know trying to transition from a - you know being a football player, transitioning into acting. So again, you know, would have to ask those guys.

...

MARC BLUCAS: I've got to tell you like, like look, obviously you cast someone like Terrell and you know what - you know you can get intensity, you know you can get his physicality, but what you can't teach and what you don't know is (comic) timing. And he has a few moments where we were off camera laughing so hard, like I think people are going to be surprised and raise an eyebrow once they see his performance in this.

QUESTION: Terrell, have you seen a sports psychologist yourself, like Dani, or do you find that your double-trouble team from your reality show tends to be enough therapy for you?

TERRELL OWENS: No, I haven't personally sought a sports psychologist, but again you did remind me of the two friends that I do have on my reality show. But you know what, no; I don't think you know I ever got into a mental funk, you know, as bad as TK had, you know, enough to seek out a therapist.

You know I think for me, you know, in real life football you have those moments where, you know, you drop a couple of balls and, you know, sometimes you can mentally check out to where some people sometimes they can't shake it, and sometimes it depends on the magnitude of the game.

I can remember one in particular that the catch that I - the game that I played in a wild card game against the Green Bay Packers before I ended up ultimately catching the game winning touchdown. During that - during the course of that game I had two - about three or four drops, and if I would have mentally checked out, you know, that could have just really just ruined it for my career.

But, I just kind of just stuck with it, hung in there, and had positive teammates around me, and a quarterback that, you know, regardless I had dropped a touchdown earlier in the game due to the sun, and I'm talking about - I mean it hit me right in the hands. And the thing is, you know, I came back in the second and third quarter and dropped a couple more key passes; our first down and that good stuff.

So, if I would have just mentally checked out and didn't have the confidence in myself that, you know, if the next ball comes that I'm going to catch it, it would have been all over been me, and I think that was really the beginning of who I've become, you know, now in real life. And so obviously, you know, TK is going through that and, you know, me playing The Minefield, I want to continue to be in his head to continue to, you know, be on him and be like, "Yo, you're no doing nothing today. I am your worst nightmare."

And so, I - you know, so I was really, you know, relishing the character and once I got in there and I got comfortable and saw the direction that they really wanted me to take The Minefield to, and so for myself I didn't want to go too big, you know? And sometimes you have to go in there and you be - have to go - you know, take that character big and let the director or whomever kind of tone you down a little bit.

But I just wanted to, you know, give them what they wanted and I think they were very pleased. And I'm - you know honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing the show myself on Wednesday.

QUESTION: When you joined the cast they'd already been working together for some time, were they welcoming you right away, or did it take a bit of time for you to find your footing with everyone?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, you know, I think that's what's, you know sometimes, you know, can be a little bit, you know I guess, alarming, or what word can I use, but I mean it can be interesting sometimes when you come in and you've had a cast that have been together for so long, and then you - they just insert you in there.

And you have to - you know you have to come in there and pull it off as if you're a part of the cast and like, you know, you've been there the whole entire time that they have.

And again - you know again, I think that some of that comes with the confidence of myself and whatever I put my mind to. And you know I know I mentioned earlier that I really want to take acting seriously, and so again you know sometimes you know I think mentally I have an edge because I heard Marcs - Marc said earlier that being a football player, you know, some players take direction very well and I've been one of those players.

You know, to be - to - I've been known to be very, very coachable and take direction, and so that's what I really tried to go in there and step in and do. I just tried to do a great job and try to, you know, act and be there like - as I - as if I belonged.

QUESTION: Terrell, now that you're acting more, in what ways is it helping you grow as a person, beyond who we've seen on the field?

TERRELL OWENS: Man, I mean, acting is totally different. You know, I mean I think to be taken seriously in Hollywood and in acting you really have to bring your game, and I think - I don't - I never see myself as a failure. And I know there's going to be a lot of people, a lot of critics out there that's going to say, you know, "He can't act," and they're going to be very critical of any and everything that I do.

So, you know I try to take on the task at hand and try to be the best at whatever it is that I put my mind to. And so, you know, being on a show like this, obviously with millions of viewers, again I try to put on the best performance that I know - knew how.

QUESTION: Have you noticed any similarities between a director and a head coach?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, you know, there are. I mean, you know, when you're playing football you have a head coach that's always out there. In a sense he's - being on a football field he's like a director, he's just not behind a camera, so there are very - you know, similarities to a director and a head coach.

And so obviously, they have the last say so, whatever they say goes, and so it's all upon the person on the end as to how they take the coaching and how they're - how receptive they are to direction, you know, from an acting standpoint. So again, man, I just - you know, I'm very fortunate to be, you know, part of a great show, a great network, and - in USA Network, and being on a TV series.

And so, this is definitely a great opportunity for me to really just blossom, you know, outside of football and really transition, you know, for everybody to really see that, you know, I can act. And so, I mean honestly the guys, Marc and everybody, you know, they came up to me and they were like, "Dude, you're doing a great job," or what have you. And so for myself, I really take that to heart because, you know, these guys have been doing it for years.

And for me to step in and do what I'm doing without a whole lot of, you know, coaching and acting and stuff like that I think it's a win-win and it's a plus for me, because now I really want to sink my teeth into the craft and take more acting classes and really learn how to develop characters and get into character.

And you know again, I've done a few things, you know, besides Necessary Roughness, so this is definitely a stepping stone for me in the right direction is - if I really want to consider acting as a career, which I really do.

QUESTION: The fact that [Matt] has become the real balanced center of the show, like the theory is it's Dani because she's the therapist and everything, but he is the guy who has the common sense for everybody and who answers people's problems in the other way.

Dani answers the therapy. He often is faced with questions and he also always has wisdom for people. TK often tells him, "You need to lighten up," because he's so wise. Was it your idea to make him sound more everyday people, common sense character out of the whole lot?

MARC BLUCAS: You know, I think it was a little bit of both. I mean, I do think that the early conversations I had with the creator is I say, "Look, I think it's really interesting." I mean one, I do get cast often time as the voice of reason. I mean, maybe you ask my wife and she's going to tell you, "I don't know why you're getting cast this way." But, for whatever reason I do get cast as that character lots of times.

And in my early conversations with them I had said, "Hey, look, I would really like to see this character be someone who is very blunt, is very direct, is very honest; is done with the whole game playing. Whether it's relationally, professionally, someone who says he knows what he wants and isn't afraid to say it."

You know, since storytelling has began we've seen this device where the fixer needs fixing, so you know that Dani as a character, Callie's character Dani is going to go through a lot of obstacles and she's going to have her roller coaster. And TK, obviously is right on the surface every episode, is a human tornado, like just a self-destructive mess.

And so, somewhere in the middle of that has to be a balance and since Matt is kind of the liaison between those two characters and the bridge between those two worlds, if you will, it made sense that I continued to kind of pursue it and be that leveler, to be that grounding place. But, in the world of a television show that could potentially go for a few seasons, if we are so lucky to have that opportunity to keep telling the story, it also gives Matt a fun place to go, which is down.

It's - you know, you see a character, which is seemingly very together and very much has it's faculties and his moral compass pointing the right way, it's a pretty fun exploration, both for an audience and for an actor to see that go south.

SCIFI VISION: For both of you, what's something that your fans would be surprised to know about you?

...

TERRELL OWENS: I mean, people think they know me anyway, regardless of what I do. So, I think maybe Marc can maybe better answer this question for me.

MARC BLUCAS: You know, I don't know. Like so many - I guess that just delves right into the personal. I mean, I like to cook, I like to do - I mean, I don't know how - where to go with that - kind of where (unintelligible). The question's so open-ended you could do a million things. I mean (unintelligible)...

SCIFI VISION: Well, yeah, like a hidden talent, a weird hobby, anything like that.

MARC BLUCAS: Well, I'm still trying to find one talent, let alone a hidden one. I mean, what's strange is, you know, we're dealing with, again, a global superstar here, and so we all know the personality of Terrell that's been out there. And I think that while he's obviously usually very charming and personable in interviews and the things we've seen him as an athlete, I think if I could answer your question for you would be - is to say that I don't think people are - I think people are going to be surprised to know how funny he is and what kind of comic timing he has.

Like I - it's something you can't take an acting class. Either - you either have some comic timing and your funny or you're not. And I think that they've seen a character that Terrell has chosen to put out there as a receiver and as a superstar. But, the characters he creates and what he brings to the table as an actor, I think that that's what people will be surprised with, because I think that most people, and we've all seen this, and Terrell said this in an answer a while ago, is for the most part an audience (sets the part pretty alone) for an athlete. They're like, "Yeah, they probably can't act, whatever. It's a cameo. They're an athlete."

They're not going to realize that you're someone who's actually pretty gifted and pretty talented and who wants to take this seriously and wants to make a career of it. And so, I think it's going to be surprising and they're going to say, "Damn, he's actually good and he's very funny."

So now, he can answer my question for me; that would be good.

TERRELL OWENS: Well, Marc said, you know, that he was an athlete, which I really didn't know. I know we met on the basketball court, but I really didn't catch - you know, I didn't catch a glimpse or none of that at that time. But you know again, I can say I guess if he wanted to try on - try out for a quarterback, I guess, you know, he probably could, you know, at least get a tryout, you know he throws a nice spiral.

I don't know how good he is under the...

MARC BLUCAS: Hey, at almost 40 years old, I might take you up on that. Like, don't do (unintelligible) tryout now.

TERRELL OWENS: Hey, all I know is, you know, the Indianapolis Colts, they're in - they may be in need for a quarterback here pretty soon. So...

MARC BLUCAS: That's right.

TERRELL OWENS: ...you might want to keep that arm warmed up a little bit.

QUESTION: My first question is for Terrell. Based off the previews it looks like a lot of the finale takes place during the game. Do we get to see your character off the field or do we only see him in the game moments?

TERRELL OWENS: No, no, no, no, definitely you'll get to see me off the field as well. So, you know, I guess if that's any incentive for you to tune in then I will leave that to that.

QUESTION: Marc, what I've loved about the show is that they've not only focused on Dani, as far as her storyline (and her new clients), but they've showed, you know, Matt and his various relationships with Nico and TK. Do you have like a favorite - do you prefer finding out more about Matt and Nico or Matt and TK, or anything that you're in?

MARC BLUCAS: You know what I'm kind of most curious about, you know, first of all, like a lot of times journalists think that the actors know the storylines before they have them, but other than broad strokes we get our information when we get the script, which is about three days before we start shooting that episode.

So it's not much before, which makes it sometimes a challenge, because you read an episode and you're like, "Oh, if I had known there was tension between these two I would have played it last episode in this scene in this moment." So, that's sometimes challenging. But for me, it's very easy to create the relationship between Matt and TK. Like, I've been around athletes my whole life, I've been an athlete, like that was a really easy friendship. Not knowing the direction that they were going to take Nico, not knowing the direction that they wanted to go in the relationship between Matt and Nico, I'm always most curious to see where that heads because Matt and Nico are two people that both want the same thing, which is result, we just have (three) very different ways of going about it.

And I don't necessarily agree with his methods; although I appreciate that sometimes he gets results and sometimes it's needed. And so, that's the one that I'm - I've got to always (unintelligible) and see where they're going with it.

QUESTION: It's hard to tell anything with Nico because he's just mysterious as a character, so any times you get a glimpse you're like, "I didn't see that coming."

MARC BLUCAS: Yeah.

QUESTION: ...You've been on a reality show and now you're starting acting, and how do you think that your fans feel about you renting out and being on television and doing things aside from playing football?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, I mean I think it's a great thing for myself and, you know, for the fans alone, because again, you know, I know that I'm going to be transitioning from football where I'm on TV, you know, Monday, Sundays, or what have you.

So, when I make this transition, you know, whether it's doing, you know, TV shows, movie, or what have you, they're still going to see, you know, TO or Terrell, or what have you, I'm still going to be gracing the big screen. So, that's definitely my dreams, so I'm going from the big screen on the football field or the big screen in your TV to still - on the big screen in your living room, or going to the movies.

So again, I know I've reiterated it and sound redundant, you know, but being you know a part of a great cast with Marc and Mehcad and everybody that I've been associated with with Necessary Roughness has been a great experience. And you know again, I'm just basically trying to, you know, be a sponge and soak up, you know, everything that I can.

So I'm definitely, like I said, I'm - you know, Marc mentioned JV, you know, in terms of something, I'm sort of like Pop Warner when it comes to the acting world, so I'm really trying to put myself on an accelerated program to really catch up and bring myself up to speed, you know, to where these guys are, you know, in their careers as far as acting.

So, I know that I have a lot of confidence in myself that I can do it, you know, it's just a matter of me really just getting the experience, being on set more, you know, me getting more roles, developing those characters, and you know just building my portfolio. So, this is definitely a great stepping stone for me.

QUESTION: Do you think that going out on to the football field, especially probably towards the beginning of your career, there's a certain feeling of, you know. nervousness and excitement, and is that the way that you're feeling now about acting, or do you feel more confident because you've been in front of this light for so long?

TERRELL OWENS: Well, I mean there is that - it is that little bit of - you know, a little bit of anxiety. You get on set and you really don't know really, you know, how the cast may think of you or anything like that. So regardless of that, you know, you just want to go in and just fit right in and be comfortable and try to, you know, take the direction of the directors and try to, you know, stay along with the storyline.

You don't want to go in and - it's like a - being a backup player, you don't want to go in, you know, when you have people that are in front of you where the continuity is there, the flow is there, and then as a backup player you go in and then the flow isn't there, you know? So, that's the thing I think that really drives me is really just keeping the flow of the show, of everything that's going on, and you don't want to, you know, be so - like the weak link, so to speak.

So, I try to really just try to take that confidence, you know, into you know the days that I film there and try to make the best of it. And so again, you know, I know I mentioned earlier, you know, Mehcad you know I talk to him a lot and, you know, we talk about acting and how long he's been doing it.

And you know again, I've seen a few episodes and, you know, kind of got a feel of the show, watched the pilot, listened to the directors, the producers, or what have you, and you know I just try to, you know, take The Minefield, you know, to a - to the level of where they wanted it, and so I'm hoping that that they're pleased.

QUESTION: Marc, we just saw Matt in the last episode got to meet Dani's mother and I'm curious, with the idea of maybe not becoming a more presence in her life, how do you think you would interact with her children?

MARC BLUCAS: You know it's funny because we - when we wrap we jokingly - the - you know the actors that play the kids and I we were all hugging and saying, "It was so nice to work with you. Congratulations on your show," because we don't have any scenes together ever.

And when I had worked and met and worked with Concetta that day that was the first time Marc and Concetta met as people. I never work on the days that they're in those stages. I mean, it's almost like we're in that stage. It's like I go over there and say, you know I was like, "Hey, what show are you guys shooting over here," because I - it's just all so new. It's a different world for Matt to be into her home life.

And so, I - you know, I think - look, I think that Matt is a very fun, easy going guy who has reached a certain age in his life (unintelligible), and so I look forward to the scenes that he has. And it - and what I would like to see actually, because she has some problems with the discipline or whatnot, it'd be interesting and fun to just explore Matt being a little bit more of a disciplinarian figure - you know, disciplinary figure to those kids since they don't have a male influence in their life.

And so, it would be interesting to see the tension and whether it's some relief for Dani or some discomfort or what - all those natural emotions that come up when you introduce a new person into a home life. But let's face it, you know stable relationships on television are boring, and so it's going to have to be a roller coaster ride.

And maybe we sit still for a while and we have a nice little relationship, but we all know over time some - that other point of the triangle has to come in and get in the way, whether it's jealousy, whether it's tension, whether - something's going to have to happen because - a conflict. And so, it's going to be interesting to see how the writers kind of craft that and outline it out for the season.

QUESTION: [Does] this show helps take down the stereotypes that are there about sports and athletes? Because I think it's a pretty accurate portrayal of the sports life in general and it shows something that many people would think are stereotypes and instead they're not, and vice versa.

TERRELL OWENS: I think it does. I think with a character like TK it really humanizes the person, it really humanizes the football player at the same time. So, these are some of the things that I think a lot of people, and I think I alluded to it earlier, that these things go on throughout the course of a season and in peoples' lives that, you know, the average fan or what have you never really get exposed to.

So, I like the direction of where they're taking the show and they're taking the characters and the content of it, because again if these things are shown then, you know, it - a lot of the fans and people really don't really get to know what possibly may go on through a person's - throughout a person's life.

And so, I like it from a standpoint of, you know especially TK's character because, you know, I can empathize with some of the things he's dealing with. And sometimes I've been on teams and I've been in a league for 15 years and I've known players that have gone through similar things to the point that they're just self-destructive, and sometimes, you know, football is all they have. They eat, breathe, and dream football and they take it to heart.

And so, this is where TK is and, you know, I like his character and I like the fact that I can come in and play someone opposite of him because, you know, I'm trying to really develop the mind character - develop The Minefield character, as well as you know interact with these guys and really try to produce something nice for the audience to watch.

QUESTION: Marc, since you brought up Dani and Matt's relationship, on television a lot of drama is when to get certain characters together or not, do you think it was the right time for Matt to lay it out on the line? Do you think it was realistic for him as a character?

MARC BLUCAS: I do because of his place in life and an opportunity that's been presented in front of him. You know, he has a - he's got an offer to go to another team and a promotion. You know, here you have an athletic trainer that's been involved with an organization that he considers home that he'd like to stay in, but who is also a person that is ambitious and has a dream to move on.

I don't think - Matt doesn't want to be a personal - an athletic trainer for the rest of his career. He wants to go into the front office. He wants to be a part of putting teams together and having a say in personnel. And so, I respect the fact that he's at that place in life and he has the courage to sit there and say, "Hey, look, these are the things I want."

And so, you go down this checklist of like, "Okay, this is what I'm willing to sacrifice and this is what I'm willing - this is a non-negotiable." And when - you know, I've always looked at Matt as someone who's like, "Hey, he's had his time single in the hotels with the guys on the road," he's kind of been through that stage of his life where he's had his fun and dealt with the groupies, and my new favorite expression, lobby hoes.

And so, now he's kind of ready to settle down. He's ready to move that person and he's met someone that has created a spark in him that he wants to explore. And that's as far as we can go with it because they haven't played out this relationship.

And so, I like that he has the courage to say, "Hey, look, I have an opportunity, but my personal happiness is more important. So, if you're saying we have a shot and you are willing to jump in full in the water and not just stick your toe into it, then let's give it a shot, then I'm willing to stay and do that because that's what I want."

And I personally in life, Marc Blucas is a believer that if you're not happy with where you wake up and where you go to bed, then all the in between is going to be a real struggle to find that happiness too. And so, I'm a big believer in making your home life as precious and special and comfortable and (safe) as it can be, because it's only going to allow you to put your best foot forward in all the in betweens. Whether that's work and career or whether that's your friendships or whatever else, but for me it always starts at home.

And so, I like to take that same feeling and apply it to Matt and say, "Hey, look," he's trying to create that because that's something that's lacking for him.