12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS: Amy Smart and an Interview Bomb!

12 Dates of Christmas is an ABC Family original holiday movie that follows Kate Stanton, played by Amy Smart, who is determined to win her ex-boyfriend back. Kate has an accident that knocks her unconscious and she is stuck reliving Christmas Eve every day, unless she can find true love and the Christmas Spirit.

I recently participated in an ABC Family Q&A conference call with Amy Smart. I was a little nervous because it was my first conference call for Nice Girls TV and I wanted everything to go smoothly. Amy was so nice and the call was going so well, I felt comfortable when it was my turn to ask her a question. I asked Amy what her favorite holiday film was and she said she likes [easyazon-link asin=”B000VBIGCW”]A Christmas Story[/easyazon-link]. I then started to ask my follow up question about James Hayman (the director of 12 Dates of Christmas) and right in the middle of my question Mark-Paul Gosselaar (who posed as a blogger obsessed with her “sexy co-star Mark-Paul”) Interview Bombed Amy! It was hilarious and Amy was just as surprised as we were. It was awesome! I was lucky enough to speak with them both.

So I must say thank you to Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar for making my first Digital Media conference call an unforgettable one! I survived an interview bomb by Mark-Paul Gosselaar! (I should get that on a bumper sticker!)

Q: Could you describe the movie in your own words?

Amy: It’s about this journey of Kate Stanton who is really set in her ways and trying to make her life right and get her ex-boyfriend back. She journeys and figures out that the way her Type A personality is not actually helping her get what she truly needs in her life. Through the journey she takes, it allows her to see other people’s perspective and a window into how other people really are. It’s incredibly humbling and enlightening and fun, and a journey everyone takes where you think you know what you want and then something in your life makes you fall on your … and you can see clearer about what life is really about and what really matters.

Q: How did you get involved with the movie?
Amy: I actually got offered this role. I read the script and I really, really loved it and wanted to do it. Then, I was so happy that Mark-Paul signed on to do it afterwards because I think he’s so talented. Everyone’s a huge Zack Morris fan. So, that’s kind of how I got involved.

Q: Is there something about this character that you admire or a quality that you wish you had?
Amy: I think that because of the film, it kept opening the character Kate’s eyes to other people. She was pretty self-absorbed. Each time she opened herself up more and more to a different character in the film, and their lives, and their stories and how she could maybe make their lives better.

I admire that because I really do think that life is all about balance. You have to obviously take care of yourself. But, then it’s so important to give back and find ways of being generous and thoughtful with other people. I really liked that about her toward the end of the film.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday film?
Amy: I have a few that I love. I really like [easyazon-link asin=”B000VBIGCW”]A Christmas Story[/easyazon-link].

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Surprise Guest Caller): This is Miles Meyer from ABC’s Family. I have a question. Can you elaborate further on how talented and handsome your co-star, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, was?

Amy: Mark-Paul is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He is such a generous actor, so caring. He definitely is a male. He’s not a boy. He’s a man.

Mark-Paul: Oh, really? He’s a man. Yes. Oooh, that sounds so sexy. I mean the man has the nicest butt in Hollywood. Did you ever get a look at it?

Amy: No. I did not. I’m sorry.

Mark-Paul: Was he wearing snow pants?

Amy: No. He wore jeans most of the time.

Mark-Paul: Does he have nice feet?

Amy: Honestly, I did not check out his feet.

Mark-Paul: Yes, he’s got great hair, too. He’s just the perfect man.

**back to Lisa**

Q: What was it like working with James Hayman?
Amy: He was wonderful to work with. He really has such a great sense of comedy. That helped me tremendously. I trusted him so much because what I like about this film is it is a romantic comedy. You want to laugh and you want to play and enjoy. He just has such a great way of giving notes and expressing himself, and an eye for comedy. So, it was fun taking it to all these different levels. He helped to push me farther and farther. So, I hope I can work with him again.

Moderator: Amy, I think we have a mystery guest. The previous caller was actually complimenting himself.

Amy: Are you serious?!

Moderator: Mark-Paul Gosselaar has just surprised us on the line. Hello, Mark-Paul. How are you?

Mark-Paul: Hi, Amy. It’s “Miles Meyer.”

Amy: No way! I was like who is this crazy guy who wants to be Mark-Paul?

Mark-Paul: I love how you didn’t want to take it at all. You’re like, “I have the feeling that you’re trying to get me to say really risqué stuff.” I was like, yes, I am. Oh, man.

Amy: Oh, well, if it’s you…

Mark-Paul: What do I call this? It’s like a photo-bomb, but it’s like an interview bomb.

Q: Mark-Paul, what was your favorite part about filming this movie?

Mark-Paul: Well, it was a pleasure working with Amy. My co-star that I’m currently working with now worked with her and always spoke very highly of her. Working with her was a pleasure. So, the reason I came on board with this film was because she was attached to it. So, for her to follow-through with all the high praise that she’s gotten from so many people that I know was something that I appreciated. Yes, I think it shows on the film, too, that we enjoyed each other. We had a great working chemistry.

Be sure to check out 12 Dates of Christmas on Sunday, December 11 at 8/7c on ABC Family.