For
a supposedly short-term character who started out as pedophilic Internet stalker, Greg
Rikaart has developed Kevin Fisher into one of Genoa City's most complex citizens.
He's also on the show for a year now with no end in sight.
Genoa City News reporter Jon Burrows caught up with Rikaart in New Orleans this past
weekend where he was appearing at the Celebrities 4 Charity weekend along with his
"half-brother" Christian LeBlanc, and filed this report:
JB: You were only supposed to be on for 10 episodes. That was a year ago. Why do you think
you clicked so well with the audience?
GR: Our casting director had been a fan since I was on Dawson's Creek and she felt all
along it was a good fit. I remember reading the material and really responding to it. I
guess I did a good job so 10 episodes wound up becoming a year. By the time the year was
up, they had cast Joan Van Ark and Kevin and Michael were already brothers, which was
something that wasn't part of the original back story. There was mutual interest on both
ends. I was interested in staying and they were interested in having me. Personally, it
was up to me that Kevin even first came on the scene and was doing all of these horrible
things to give Kevin a reason why he does them and reasons why he feels this way. The
anger was written into the show and I became this tormented soul. I think that's what made
people see Kevin as not somebody who is just an evil person but somebody who is a real
person.
JB: Fans always identify the actor with the character. How are you like Kevin?
GR: Hopefully not much. Kevin doesn't have an edit button. Everything he does and
everything he feels are things we've all felt but most of us are rational enough to
control them. He's made mistakes, but we know he's turned out the way he has. Certainly
his feelings for Lauren are real. It's just a little misguided. He'll always think he has
a real shot at her. He's not going to like this blossoming thing between Michael and her.
JB: You got away with statutory rape, breaking and entering, arson and probably a few
other crimes we can't recall. But now you're being led around by the nose by this 16-year
old kid. How does that happen to a sharp operator like you?
GR: He envies Daniel's worldliness and self-assurance. Everything that Daniel does is with
100-percent confidence. Standing up Devon, things like that. I think there's a mutual
curiosity, there, too.
JB: Are they going to be found out?
GR: If they are, what they did is wrong. But it was basically done with good intentions
– Kevin wanting to look good in people's eyes. They wanted me to play the scene at
the emergency room like I was all happy about getting away with something, but in his own
way, Kevin does care for Lilly. He didn't want anything to happen to her. Even in the
early days, there was a fascination with her.
JB: Joan Van Ark looks like she's having a ball playing Gloria. How is she to work with?
GR: She's is such a creative talent. She brings such a great character to the show. We're
really blessed to have her.
JB: If you could switch places with any other character on the show, who would it be?
GR: Eric Braeden. Who wouldn't want to be Victor Newman? I'd love to have that kind of
power.
JB: I'm certain that in the past year, your recognition factor has risen dramatically.
What's that like?
GR: In L.A. there are actors everywhere so we're a dime a dozen. You see somebody, and
then look at the next table and there's somebody else. But when you get away from L.A.
it's really happening. It's nice.
JB: How much freedom are you given in developing your character?
GR: Our writers and producers always getting our input. But you have to respect their
ideas of what's best for the character.
JB: So during your time in New Orleans has your big brother corrupted you by taking you to
Bourbon Street?
GR: Christian didn't but an old college buddy of mine who's in Tulane Law School took me
to Pat O'Brien's It was a very interesting experience.
JB: Finally, here' s something that's been bugging me. Kevin gave Lilly
Chlamydia. How did
he get it?
GR: Well, he was working around all of those strippers. You never know.
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