Parker Young wasn't surprised that his TV show got picked up for a second season, though he was shocked that he was asked to reprise his dumb jock Ryan Shay. But the Ryan fans already know that the breakout star is the best thing about Suburgatory, and in tonight's new episode, you're about to find out as well. Parker and Ology discuss the infamous dirty car wash, stripping down the dumb jock stereotype and the time he ass-aulted beachgoers in a thong Words By Terron R. Moore
So tonight, we know that Ryan finally finds out this huge secret. What will that mean for his future?
You know, yesterday, I was at Jeremy [Sisto]'s place, and we were talking about Ryan's relationship with Tessa, and I asked how he felt about that, and he says, 'Oh, I don't know… the kid's just so dumb!' And I could see where he's a protective father and where he might think this guy's not right for his daughter, but I was like, 'No, man! That's not true!' I think that because Ryan was adopted, his parents tried to keep him safe, but when he finds out that everything that's led him to this point hasn't all been true, it's gonna force him to open his mind a bit, and re-assess things. He's not gonna be the stereotypical dumb jock. He's gonna grow up a bit. But Ryan's not too dumb for Tessa- that's bullshit!
So we all know the first moment Tessa fell for Ryan. Are you ever going to live down that car wash scene?
(Laughs) Oh, man! I don't know! Probably not!
What did your family say when they saw that?
(Laughs) Everyone thinks it's just ridiculous! It's been fun to see the reaction for such a simple thing! But my mom, and my family, and my football coaches and teammates… they know that if I'm gonna do something, I'm gonna do it to the fullest! So if I'm washing a car and dancing, I'm gonna go all out! That's just, sort of the way I live my life! It's the way that I am, and the way that I decided to make Ryan Shay. So I don't think it's a shock that I took it that far!
How alike were you and Ryan in high school?
Our biggest similarity was that I played sports all through my childhood: I played soccer, I swam, I did basketball, and in high school I was the captain of my varsity football team. So I know that lifestyle, I guess, and I think that stereotypically, people look at us as jocks, and maybe douchebags, but that wasn't my reality in high school! I was also in theatre, and I just didn't see it that way. So I didn't want to make Ryan a stereotypical asshole jock. When he does something embarrassing to his sister—like humping a locker—he's not doing it to be mean, he's doing it because he wants to share something with her! He's got a good heart!
Ryan's a pretty shameless guy. What's the most shameless thing you've ever done?
Like I said, it's kinda hard to make me uncomfortable- and if it does make me uncomfortable, I kinda wanna do it, just to no longer be uncomfortable! I kinda push the envelope. I'm sure my buddies could tell you some stories I wouldn't necessarily share! (Laughs) I guess I don't care: one image in my head is, my football team went to San Diego for a football camp, and we went to spend the day at the beach. We all got off the bus, about 15 to 20 of us… and we were all in thongs! All the kids at the beach were like, 'Oh my gosh!' There were, like, fat lineman in thongs and tanlines running into the ocean! And the fact that the whole team did it was awesome. That's just an example of my freedom.
What else are you watching this fall?
I've always been really bad about watching TV! It's such a commitment! If I'm unable to watch everything, it bothers me- which is why Netflix is awesome. But I'm a huge fan of The Walking Dead- it makes me wanna run around with a shotgun killing zombies! And I love Breaking Bad- I'm all caught up! I haven't been glued to anything quite like those two shows.
So should fans have hope for a Ryan and Tessa reunion?
Oh, my gosh, yes! Ryan loves Tessa. He's not gonna give up on her. If for some reason, she wasn't feeling him, he's gonna get to the bottom of what's wrong with him, if anything. And not necessarily that there's even anything wrong with Ryan—Tessa has an idea of who she is and the type of guy she should date, and I don't think Ryan fits that mold. But I think she's gotta backtrack and take off her blinders and realize how great of a guy and how sweet he is. I think that will give her a reason to give her another shot. I think it's inevitable!
Do we top that car wash scene this season?
Oh, yeah, man! I think we manage to top it! There's some wildness, there's some shirtlessness… there's some goodness! (Laughs) That's what it's all about!
Suburgatory airs its fall finale ("Krampus") TONIGHT at 9:30pm on ABC.
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