shocking exit

Who is a better pool player, Steve Burton or Jason Morgan? - Pam Kauffman, Pine City, NY

SB: Actually, I am. I used to play a lot, and play 9-ball tournaments, so I can play pretty well. Jason is brain damaged. I don't think he knows what he's doing.

I am a huge fan of Jason and Courtney. Do you think they can overcome their problems and work this relationship out? - Amanda S, Ridgeley, W VA

SB: If she stops kissing Jax, maybe. All I'm asking is for one scene where they don't kiss. Jason broke up with Courtney and the next day, she was on the private jet, sipping champagne, giggling with Jax on her way to gamble in Monte Carlo. Poor Jason's body didn't even get cold.

Do you and Alicia Leigh Willis get along? What is your favorite Journey scene. - Karen Tanner, Falmouth, Maine

SB: Of course we get along. When Jason gave Courtney the ring back and signed the divorce papers, when Courtney lost the baby....we've had a lot of great scenes.

How do you deal with a storyline that you don't like? Secondly, how does your wife deal with your stardom and all that goes with it? - Teresa M. Galazin-Miller, via e-mail

SB: Fortunately, I don't get many stories that I don't like. As for my wife, first of all, no one really gives a rats ass about us in Los Angeles. That's the good thing. Fans of soaps are pretty respectful the majority of the time. When my wife and I first started going out, it was a little odd for her. She had never encountered anything like that. It's a whole different world. Once you know what it's about, it's all good. It pays the bills, baby.

Have you ever read a script and felt that the writers wanted Jason to do something that you believed was not right based on your experience portraying him? If so how do you voice your opinion? - Maria B. Hatzoglou, Astoria, NY

SB: If that happens I do pick up the phone and make a call. There are so many different writers on the show. The head writers plan a story, then delegate to the others what to write. Things can get lost in translation. A lot of times you point something out and they are like. ."Oh yeah, okay." It's absolutely my responsibility because I'm on screen everyday. If my character is doing stuff he normally wouldn't do, the fans aren't going to buy it. You have to play a throughline for everything that's happened to you on the show, or it's not going to be good for anybody.

Why didn't Jason ever try to avenge the death of his unborn child and crimes committed against his wife by Alcazar? - Vicky Rossi, Glen Cove, NY

SB: At first Jason was thinking about shooting Alcazar, but he had so much hair Jason didn't think he could get a clean shot. {laughs} Now he has a haircut. No, because they don't write it that way. We get people on the show who are enemies or bad people who go against Sonny, but we can't kill them. That puts us in a tough spot, because we can't do anything about it.

Out of all of Jason's love interests, which one had the most potential and which one were you most invested in. - Candie P, via e-mail

SB: My character changed, which I'm very happy for, when I went from gold mane to the spiky hair. Each relationship I've had has allowed my character to grow - Robin, Elizabeth ... Then, Courtney, because we'd never seen Jason actually have that deep a relationship with a woman. It was always, "I'll pick you up for a motorcycle ride," Or, "Let's walk over the bridge." It was never living with somebody and interacting. I don't know if I necessarily have a favorite, but all these relationships have helped my character grow. It's the same thing with Sam now. It adds a whole new element to Jason. I've been equally invested in all of these relationships and believe Jason could get back with any of these women at any point.

I was a big fan of Jason and Robin, but never got why Jason could not forgive Robin for her so called betrayal- yet he forgives Carly and others. - Kellie R Hayes, Bayside, NY

SB: Jason has actually forgiven Robin now. Kimberly McCullough (Robin) and I had scenes at Lila's funeral where Jason thanked her for a lot of what she did and [explained that he understood] why she did it. It was great to have Kimberly back and work with her again. I like new people, new challenges. Robin and Jason had such a great history on the show, that it was great even if it was just for two scenes.

With both Jason and Elizabeth free again and their friendship still in place, do you agree revisiting the romance would be a good storyline? And on a personal note, what's your favorite thing to do with your daughter, and what do you look forward to teaching her in the future? Jules, via e-mail

SB: I don't know what's going to happen with. As for Jason and Elizabeth, that's always a possibility. I like working with Becky (Herbst). Jason and Elizabeth had a good relationship. As for my daughter, I look forward to getting up early with her on the weekends. My wife gets up with her all week so I like to give her a break on the weekends and spend some time alone with my daughter. In the future, I'd love to teach her sports. Probably Tennis or golf.

Would you play a story where Jason grows a backbone and stands up to Sonny or even turns against him? - Steph, Los Angeles

SB: It would have to be something so huge for Sonny and Jason to go at each other. And a woman ain't going to do it. Why ruin a relationship over something stupid? Then Sonny would be left alone, as usual. Personally, I would be against that, unless it was something ingenuous.

Soap Opera Weekly 2004