Host of Double Dare 2000

Jason Harris is probably one of the most approachable celebrities you'll ever meet. By approachable, I mean genuinely friendly and outgoing - qualities necessary in a super sloppy game show host. I recently got the chance to talk with Jason about all sorts of things from how he got started as an actor to how he nabbed his job with Nickelodeon. Read on, and find out more about the new host of Double Dare 2000.

1.  Well, let's start off easy...how did you become involved with Nickelodeon?  

I met Nick a few years ago auditioning for The Big Help. They cast me as
Racin Jason and I traveled across the country in the Big Help Mobile. That
led to me being cast as host of a New York talk show for a year. and  when
that contract ended, Nick auditioned me, several times, for DD2000

2.  Did you ever think you'd be hosting a game show - or is that something you've
wanted to do since you started in the business?  

Never dreamed. I wanted to be the next great character actor. My idol was
Dustin Hoffman. My first few years out of college I turned down commercial
work to do funky off-off broadway plays. After a few years being broke I
decided to not be so picky. And lucky, because i've really enjoyed what I've
been doing.

3.  As you told me before, you never really aspired to be an actor until college...
could you share a little bit about how you got bit by the "acting bug?"  

I started acting to overcome shyness that I had as a kid through
highschool. As an aspiring doctor I needed to be able to speak in public. I
figured acting would help me with that. Who knew? Now I can't be shut up.

4.  Out of all the theatre performances you've been in, what was your favorite?  

I loved doing the Brighton Beach trilogy by Neil Simon, especially
"Broadway Bound" which is both funny and quite poignant. "The Lion in Winter",
where I played John, got me my equity card and was a solid production. And  a
play about the holocaust called "The Survivor" that I did at Manhattan Class
Company in NY was an emotional and educational experience for me.

5.  Do you have any embarassing moments you can share from the stage? 
How about DD2K or The Big Help?  

I had an embarrassing case of the giggles doing "Broadway Bound" one
night. We had a very lively crowd, and the guy who played the father was
getting a little carried away. In a very emotional scene he went a little
over the top. Well, way over the top screaming and flailing like he never
had before. And he was a little effeminate and that came out on this night. 
When his character stormed off the stage with a fourish, it left me and the
character playing my brother open mouth shocked. When we looked at each other
we were practically crying with laughter. We somehow managed to use it in the
scene but oh my that was scary. As far as DD goes, there was a show or two or
three where I got a name wrong or called a daughter "MOM " but you just have
to go with those things and laugh at your mistakes.

6.  Many people don't realize that you went to college right here in my hometown
of Baltimore, MD at Johns Hopkins University...did you enjoy it?  What was the best part?  

Mixed feelings about Hopkins. Very serious school and when I made the
decision to follow my acting dreams instead of medicine there was not a lot
for me there. The professors were kind of cold and unavailable and 90% of the
student body was intense. However, I loved Baltimore and the Harbor, and the
whole Baltimore/Washington area gave me my first experiences as an actor
which was exciting and rewarding.

7.  Breaking into the professional world of television is pretty hard for most
people...what route did you take?  

In Baltimore I did stage and made some money doing industrials. When I
moved back to NY I did lots of dfferent plays but when I realized that you
could book a good job and still have to TEMP to pay the rent I got
discouraged. I found a commercial agent to send me out on auditions eventually
and slowly began to book commercials and voice-overs. After doing a few
funny spots a manager contacted me and when I signed with her the first place
she sent me was to Nickelodeon for The Big Help - and on from there.

8.  What is the single best thing about what you do?  

I'd say the best thing about hosting is all the people you meet. When I
did my live show on the Metro channel I met many fascinating people from all
walks of life - including Walt Frazier, Savion Glover, and Nile Rogers, not
to mention fascinating non-famous people. Doing Double Dare I get more
exposure and meet fun people all over the country. Its exciting to have so
many people into what you do for a living. If you're say an accountant, that
wouldn't really happen. Even though the accountant may deserve it.

9.  How were you selected as the host for Double Dare 2000?  

Many auditions. Four total. Three in NY and then a whopping finale in
Orlando involving three straight days of runthroughs. The whole process took
several months.

10.  It's gotta be awesome to be hosting a show that you probably watched growing up.
Did it make you nervous to know that you had to follow in the footsteps of Marc Summers,
or did you not even look at it that way?

I actually did not see much of the original Double Dare. Other than
sports I never watched much TV. Funny though, Marc Summers said that worked
to my advantage because I was one of the few auditioners who did not try to
imitate him. Right down to the blazer, tie and jeans.

11.  What's it like in a day of production on DD2K?  

A day of production is intense. At the studio at 8:00 A.M. to run-through
that days physical challenges. After hair and make-up we start taping shows
with studio audience around 10:00 A.M. We tape two up-front shows (meaning
the two rounds minus obstacle course) then they move cameras and we tape two
obstacle courses. Then lunch. Then two more up-front shows, break, two
obstacle courses. 4 shows in all per day. On a good day we're out by seven. A
bad day.....?  I think the latest was 11:00 P.M.

12.  Can you share any "insider" information about the new season?  

Well, the shows will feature the winners from the Mall Tour. The
challenges will be pretty much the same because they are not changing games
until next year. Other than that I won't know until they're happening.

13.  When you're not taping DD2K, how do you fill your free time?

When not taping or doing DD related stuff like touring or promos (and
there's been a lot of that) I do commercials and voice-overs, and even a few
books-on-tape. I have two books out now. One is called "Dave At Night" by
Gayle Carson Levine. I narrate and do all the characters' voices. The other is
called "A Rats Tale" by Tor Seidler where again I narrate and do all the
voices of the rats, mice, dogs, cats, and everything else that appears.  In
voice-over land I have spots running for S & H Greenpoints, Capital One
Mastercard, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, among others. And...I'm always looking
for the next acting job as well.

14.  How has your life changed since becoming host of DD2K?  

My life has changed in that any day I may be sitting in a diner, at the
airport, in the park, etc., and someone may come up to me to ask for an
autograph, shake my hand, or just say "hi." It's really exciting that people
like the show enough that they feel the urge to come tell me. Other than that
I travel a lot more than I ever have before. I've put on about 60,000
frequent flyer miles since January. Lots of time in planes!!

15.  And finally, what advice would you give to someone that might want to someday
work in television?  Is there a certain path that you would recommend?

If you want to break into the business, I recommend persistence,
flexibility, and an amazing sense of humor. It is not easy. People will give
you a million reasons why YOU will never work. Don't let them get you down.
Be loose at auditions and interviews while working hard at home and in class.
If one path doesn't give results for a while, try another. Always try to meet
as many people as you can in the business and try to enjoy yourself while
doing it. Never think of it as applying for a job. 'Cause that could bring the
nerves out, and you don't want to deal with that.