Interview: David Boreanaz of 'Bones'

April 13, 03:24 PM

Sorry, Bones-n-Booth 'shippers. Just because they were last seen in a contrived Christmas-themed liplock, the two lead characters on FOX's Bones won't suddenly be hopping into the sack when the forensic favorite returns on Monday, April 14.

Talking to reporters on the eve of the show's first new episode since late November, Bones star David Boreanaz greets the inevitable question about a potential hook-up with the same measured deflection he's been using for nearly three years now.

Are Booth (Boreanaz) and Bones (Emily Deschanel) on the verge of getting together?

"I think they already are," Boreanaz says, though his definition of "together" isn't necessarily in synch with the desire of some fans. "I don't think that they ever were necessarily apart. This show is relatively, the function of the relationship is really the function of the show in a lot of ways. These two character drive these plotlines, they drive these shows, they put them in circumstances or areas that they wouldn't necessarily think that they would be in and then it brings them closer together as characters, or pulls them apart. The kiss, for example, on Christmas it was a dare and they both knew it was coming and it brought them closer. It won't affect them greatly, but they know that the kiss happened and I think it happened smartly the way they did it, so we'll start putting ourselves in those situations and those areas, but we're not going to go to a place where it's completely the Whole Nine. We'll keep teasing and flirting with the audience. I don't think that's a problem at all."

While Boreanaz is tolerant of the endlessly asked questions about the show's will-they-or-won't-they relationship, he's a lot less gentle about the idea, raised by one reporter, that the schedule-hopping drama is somehow on the bubble for renewal. The reporter couldn't cite the source for the bubble rumor and it's almost unimaginable that FOX could announce a fall schedule that didn't include Bones (we never say "never" with FOX), so I'll leave out the most frustrated aspects of Boreanaz's reaction, leaving only the actor's conviction that the shift to Mondays won't bother the audience.

"I don't think the show's on the bubble," he says. "It's a very successful show. We're a different show. We're a cult show that strives to tell a fun relationship and we've proven if we're on Wednesday or Tuesday or Friday or even Monday that our fans will follow us. And we pride ourselves on the relationship with the show and we pride ourselves that we're with a great network and studio with Fox. If I hear any different, like you're telling me, then I'd have to investigate that, but I've never heard that."

Again, we'd like to emphasize that Bones isn't really on the bubble.

He adds, "I don't place the show or tell you where the show should be placed. That's not my job. My job as an actor is to come in and portray a character and do the best I can. I can't get caught up in what time slot it's at or where they're moving it to or what it's paired with. I do know that the shows are of the best quality and I think the best on television. As far a relationship show is concerned, I think it's the best..."

Things have gotten a little complicated, though, in terms of the show's third season, which was delayed and staggered by that little writers strike you may have read about.

"Before the writers strike we shot a potential season-ender, which was a big cliffhanger and very dangerous and detrimental to a character and in the second part we finish that off in a way that'll keep the audience guessing, we'll at the same time see how the relationships between these two get better," Boreanaz explains. "You know obviously there were stories that we probably wanted to tell that we couldn't because of only getting in six episodes in now and future plans for other episodes we maybe may see us shooting in a different part of the world. Who knows? That might be a possibility."

He's referring, somewhat coyly, to rumors that Bones may shift its action out of the Washington, D.C. area and into a foreign country, possibly England.

"I know that there have been some talks about that," he says. "I hope that that happens. I'm pretty confident that the trip somewhere will occur for a couple shows."

A few other highlights from Boreanaz's chat with the press:

On keeping things fresh with co-star Deschanel: "We work on the scripts on the weekends for every scene, every moment during the week, so we come in pretty much with an improvisational arc, knowing where we're going to add stuff, where we're going to take things. So by the time we show up and rehearse, we throw that down, so when we're shooting, we just throw it all out on the table, all this stuff comes out, but I think it's the beauty of our relationship and our chemistry. It's really solid and it's only getting better. We did a scene yesterday which was just so much fun, we really started pushing each other's buttons and it was fun to have the ability to go there... with a co-star who does that with you and also to be also in the freedom zone of a third season, instead of thinking 'Oh, well, this show has got X amount of years left, so I don't have to really work hard because, you know, it's just a show.' Well, it's quite the opposite, because you have the beauty and the freedom to do stuff as a producer to allow yourself to go those places that you weren't allowed to in the first season, which makes the show even better."

On the addition of John Francis Daley's Lance Sweets this season: "I think having that other perspective, that third eye kind-of-speak, that point on the two counterpoints works on a show like this and he fills that voice perfectly. We tried it before with a couple other characters that just didn't really sing as hard as it could have been... I think with Lance, Sweets, he fits perfectly -- a) physically and b)what he brings to the table and how it effects their relationship -- and I think that's a stronghold to go through therapy and help bring us together. I think it's a great idea."

On his own hopes to direct an episode next year: "It's just a great opportunity to embrace you take that for what it's worth and have fun with an episode. I don't know what the episode's gonna be like yet. I have a lot of original ideas that I've actually pitched to Hart that I kinda would love to be a part of, as far as the fruition of an idea and even put my pen to paper and even do some writing. Those are opportunities you have to take advantage of as an artist if you're in that position and use it. You'd be foolish not to. I think that if you're in the medium and you have a possibility or an opportunity to do it, you should go for it."

in Bones , FOX

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Comments (12)

Comments

I actually kinda think the show is more interesting if they don't get together and follow the Mulder-Scully model more. Beware David and Maddie!

birdman | Apr 14, 2008 9:06:18 AM | #

I can't wait for the show tonight. Bones and the Office were my 2 most missed shows during the strike. I agree, if they get together, it will ruin the show.

snowynight | Apr 14, 2008 9:26:02 AM | #

A hoot to imagine the two of them exiting middle age and still snipeing at one another.

briarcat | Apr 14, 2008 12:52:07 PM | #

"Bones" is a great show... I like to think of it as "CSI: Fun"... You've got your technobabble, you've got your murders, and you've got characters you'd actually like to hang out with.. Very cool...

Phil | Apr 15, 2008 5:27:18 AM | #

The 'sweets' character might be interesting, but portrayed by a very poor actor. So bad he clangs with the rest of the group.

dub1 | Apr 15, 2008 7:07:23 PM | #

they looks romance, but i prefer their gothic style show on gothicloving.com which is a dating site for goth.

kelly | Apr 15, 2008 9:25:57 PM | #

I think Bones is one of the best, most intelligent in a fun kind of way (like The Closer) on television. Should Fox be so stupid as to cancel, I would hope TNT would pick it up. It is their kind of show.

Your article was very informative.

Mary-Frances Bache | Apr 28, 2008 12:42:09 PM | #

One of the top two or three shows on TV in my opioning. The relationship between all of the characters have developed nicely with the two leads tops on the chemistry meter. I laugh as much at this show as many of the so-called comedies. May it last for many more years.

Tom Bruce | Apr 29, 2008 10:22:43 AM | #

i think they should get together but make it the same as now just with romance. I always thought CSI was the best but now it has definitely changed Bones is the best!!!

Cody | May 12, 2008 6:30:32 PM | #

This is definitely one of the best shows out there: perfect balance of forensics, mystery, action, humor, and undeniable chemistry. If given the chance, I'll be with Bones for many years to come.

Evelyn | May 12, 2008 10:47:02 PM | #

IILKE ZAK

NAOMI | May 13, 2008 9:23:02 AM | #

I think they should get togther. Oh the Wannabe in the Weeds epi was awsome, it really surprised me!!! I don't believe it, I hope Booth doesn't die!!!!

Vicky | May 13, 2008 11:45:27 AM | #