JAYSON BLAIR: The Man Behind Max Owens on “The Hard Times of RJ Berger”

The name Jayson Blair is well known to millions of MTV fans as he portrays the infamous Max Owens in the comedy series The Hard Times of RJ Berger. In an exclusive interview with NiceGirlsTV, Jayson shared what makes Max Owens tick and what he would like to see in Max’s future.

Jayson Blair as Max Owens on MTV's The Hard Times of RJ Berger

While Max Owens is the “jock everyone loves to hate,” to Jayson, Max is a guy who is perhaps a bit misunderstood. Jayson thinks that because Max acts a bit insane, irrational and has worked diligently to make RJ’s life a living hell; it is just a cover for a guy who is actually insecure under that tough-shell. He sees Max as a guy trying to live up to the expectations of his peers just to be popular.

Jayson laughingly admitted that playing Max is really easy for him. He finds the role a lot of fun because he likes to play the role a bit differently — to challenge people’s perceptions of who Max is and why he does the things he does. Jayson has found that the core of Max is a playful-side, so Jayson has worked hard to incorporate that playfulness-with-an-edge aspect to make Max a bit more well-rounded. He has also found that by approaching Max that way it opens the door to a bit more improv in his performance — and he appreciates that kind of freedom to express who he thinks Max is.

The rest of the world may view Max Owens as a jerk or an ass, but in Max’s mind, he sees himself as “Captain Awesome.” So while playing Max is easy, Jayson’s challenge is finding the heart-of-gold underneath Max’s firm facade.

In fact, that is the secret to the whole show for Jayson: he sees The Hard Times of RJ Berger as having a lot of “heart”. It may be crazy, rambunctious, and raunchy, but with a glimmer of soulful heart mixed in.

The show also gives Jayson the chance to make fun of his co-stars in such a way that he would normally be afraid to do in real life. The antics he can get away with as Max are a lot more liberating than the constraints of his real life, and he finds it freeing and fun to tease his co-workers as their characters on screen. Thus, he cheekily admitted, playing Max has given him the license to embrace a darker-side and get away with it.

Despite his secret pleasure in playing Max, Jayson was quick to point out that he loves working with his co-stars. In fact, his co-star Paul Iacono is like a little brother to him in real life since they lived together during the first season of the show. Jayson also only had great things to share about his other co-stars, Kara Taitz, Amber Lancaster, and Jareb Dauplaise — who he described as the one who never stops making everyone laugh.

Looking toward the future and what Jayson would like to see ahead in Max’s journey, Jayson shared that he would love to see Max delve-deeper into his home life with his parents and try to tap into some inner-growth — to see Max become essentially more human by revealing a bit more of his heart and to show how some of the decisions he makes affect him and haunt him. It is that kind of peeling back the layers and seeing Max grow that excites Jayson. The Hard Times of RJ Berger may be a comedy, but Jayson is confident that allowing the lens to peer into the depths of Max’s soul would be illuminating.

As for what type of projects Jayson is striving towards in the future, he would love to pursue more independent films and projects that touch upon darker drama. Some of his favorite films are 21 Grams and Lars and The Real Girl, and the chance to embrace such meaty roles would be the dream of a lifetime.

Jayson noted that his recent role on Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior has been one of his favorite forays into denser roles and he relishes the chance to do more roles like that. He is also excited about the Stephen Gaghan pilot Special Investigations L.A that he just finished filming. Gaghan wrote the Oscar winning film Traffic and the opportunity to work with him was an incredible experience for Jayson.

In addition to those projects, during his current hiatus from The Hard Times of RJ Berger, Jayson is about to start working on a small horror film titled Detention of the Dead, which will be filming in Michigan for the next month or so.

Jayson is ecstatic that he has had such a memorable and rewarding year and the opportunity to play such a diverse palate of roles. He noted that for him, “the story is more important than booking just a job.” He has just been lucky enough that so many fun and interesting roles have presented themselves and the timing has worked out.

With ratings for The Hard Times of RJ Berger nearly guaranteeing another season, Jayson’s busy schedule will not be easing up anytime soon — but that is exactly the way he likes it. There is no better way to celebrate life than to embrace everything it offers and Jayson is embracing it all.

Look for a new episode of The Hard Times of RJ Berger to air on Monday, April 11th on MTV — and keep an eye on Jayson Blair as his career continues streaking across the Hollywood skyline. He is an up and coming star to watch!