Rick Gonzalez has a long list of movie and television guest starring roles, including “Old School”, “Pulse”, and “Law & Order, but his first regular starring television role is on The CW’s “Reaper”. “Reaper”, still in its first season, features Sam as the hero who learns his soul has been sold to the devil and now he must act as Satan’s bounty hounter for escaped evil spirits. Rick Gonzalez’s character, Ben, is one of Sam’s sidekicks who helps him out along the way. “Reaper”, which airs Tuesday nights at 9pm, is a great, light-hearted comedy with an excellent cast and set of writers.

I was lucky enough to get to talk with Rick about his character on Ben, what drew him to the comedy series, and what we can look forward to next with Ben on “Reaper”.

WBM: Rick, thanks for talking with Wild Bluff Media today about Reaper on CW.
Rick Gonzalez: No worries.

WBM: Could you tell us about how you got involved in Reaper? What drew you to the project and the character Ben?
Gonzalez: To be honest, I was the kind of actor that totally avoided TV. I did a lot of film work with the exception of guest starring roles. I really avoided wanting to be a series regular. So with that being said, along came the script for Reaper. I read it and thought it was okay. I really liked the story, that the comedy was dry, it had this Shaun of the Dead kind of humor to it. That definitely drew me.

What really sealed the deal for me was the fact that Kevin Smith was directing the first episode. So that gave me the confidence to say, “okay this might be an interesting project to be a part of.” I decided to audition for the role of Ben. I auditioned one time and was offered the job. I decided to take it because I realized that working with someone like Kevin Smith would be a great opportunity. That was the nail in the coffin for me in terms of being a part of it.

I really like being part of the show because of the kind of comedy that it is. In my career I really get a chance to do this kind of stuff, so I always look forward to it. I did a little bit of it in “Old School” and some of it in “For Your Consideration”, but this is on a consistent basis where I can really have fun, so I had to do it.

WBM: From what you read in the first script in the beginning and where you’ve come to now in the first season, how do you feel Ben’s character has evolved along the way? Have you started to take him in a different direction from where you started?
Gonzalez: I understood that in the beginning that the story needed to establish our hero, Sam, for people to understand what’s going on and care about the character and the situation itself. It took a little patience on my behalf to wait for my character, Ben, to get developed. These last five episodes that we’ve been shooting have been taking its toll, developing my character, and really exploring him and solidifying who he is. You get an idea of Ben in the first thirteen, but you don’t really know who he is just yet. These next five that we shot you now get a sense of the relationship he has between Sam and Sock, why they’re good friends and such pals. In that regards I learned patience and I’m happy for it because it’s so funny and I’m having such a great time.

WBM: In last night’s episode (#15) we found out Ben had married his co-worker Sara (played by Lucy Davis, who was a perfect cast) as a favor, only to then meet his dream girl Cassidy. Can you tell us anything about where this is headed?
Gonzalez: You can expect the friction and turmoil to explode a little bit. There will be some funny twists and turns with that. Working with Lucy Davis was awesome. I love her from the original The Office. Doing that with her was really just so much fun. It just took time for them to develop my character and my place in the show. You’ll see a different side of Ben in these next episodes.

WBM: If you were writer for the day where would you like to take Ben’s character?
Gonzalez: I would love to explore Ben’s family or his upbringing, which was touched a little bit in Episode 1.9 with his grandmother. That kind of stuff is so funny and interesting because our writers are so creative and inventive in terms of creating really funny comedy.

WBM: I’ve read comparisons between Reaper and Buffy due to its supernatural overtones. What do you think sets Reaper apart from shows like that?
Gonzalez: Our comedy allows us to not take ourselves too seriously. It’s almost like a breath of fresh air. No disrespect to any of those other shows, because they’re all great, but I think it’s a different take on the sci-fi realm, if you will. I think it’s an acquired taste with a different kind of feel how we have fun and the comedy we give and how we serve it to you. In relation to the other shows, you’re going to get the feeling that we’re having a good time. You’re wanting a break from something really serious or heavy and that’s this.

WBM: Which episode of Reaper has been your favorite so far and why?
Gonzalez: My favorite one is coming up in Episode 16. Everything that is going on with my character, I have such a fun time, just outrageously funny scenes. I’ve appreciated everyone’s want to find out more about my character and I think they have finally tapped into that. So people will get that fix on getting to know who Ben really is.

WBM: I’ve been waiting anxiously to hear about Reaper being renewed for another season. Have you heard any details or even rumors you could share?
Gonzalez: No idea.

WBM: What other projects do you have coming up that we can look forward to seeing you in?
Gonzalez: That’s a good question. I did two films. I don’t know when they’re going to drop. I did one film with Colin Farrell, “Pride & Glory”. I believe that’s now slated for next year. I did another film, “The Promotion”, with Sean William Scott and John C. Reilly. I don’t know when that’s coming out either [Ed. note: June 6, 2008, according to IMDB], but I’m in that, so you can see me there.

WBM: Off-topic question that I’d be remissed if I didn ask. In Old School, where you played Spanish, you were tackled into the water during pledge. Was that real and did it hurt? As many times as I’ve watched that movie it’s still one of my favorite scenes and gets me to laugh every time.
Gonzalez: Not me. That wasn’t me. I wanted to do it, but they would not let me. For insurance reasons they wouldn’t let me. I could totally take that hit though. I used to play football.

WBM: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us, Rick. Best of luck with Reaper. I hope to see you and the show for many more seasons. It’s been great to talk to you.
Gonzalez: You too. Have a good day.

Reaper airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c on The CW.

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