Former 'Dancing' Star Doles Out Advice and Dish

Ian Ziering Opens Up About His Guest Gig, the New 'Dancing' Cast and a '90210' Reunion

Related Links More About Ian Ziering More About 'Side Order of Life' More About 'Dancing With the Stars'

Sept. 24 -- Ian Ziering, knows just how beneficial 'Dancing With the Stars' can be to a contestant's career. Since appearing on the show last season, he's landed a three-episode guest-starring role working with his former 'Beverly Hills 90210' cohort Jason Priestley on the Lifetime dramedy 'Side Order of Life,' and he's been juggling several producing and acting projects that he thinks will completely change the way fans look at him.

Ziering took some time out of his hectic schedule to chat with AOL Television's Angel Cohn aabout his 'Life' gig, the potential for a '90210' reunion and his take on the new 'Dancing with the Stars' contestants.

You are scheduled for three episodes of 'Life,' is there potential for more?
Uh, you never know!

You're being vague!
Well I can't give up the ghost, we'll see. Right now I've got three episodes, and it's just really great because Marisa [Couglan] is very talented. We've got some great scenes. I'm not to sure where it's gonna go from there, but it's really great working on that set. And the double bonus for me is I get to see Jason Priestley on the set.

You're not sick of him by now?
Are you kidding? I love that guy.

Was it easy to fall back into a routine with him?
Well, we haven't had any scenes together. We've had lunch on the set and we hung out. But you know what, you never know what's going to happen in the third episode I haven't shot yet, but I'm sure they'll stick us together somewhere.

Was working with Jason what made you do this show?
The appeal was the fact that it's a great character. I play Brian, an international businessman who Jenny thinks might be the cell phone guy she's been having a relationship with over the course of the series. Brian's a very strong character; he's a man's man. The scenes that we've had together are very well written, and there's a lot of sparks between the two characters, so it's a lot of fun, especially when I get to work with someone as talented as Marisa.

Do we get to see you in lots of suits, seeing that you're a businessman?
Yeah, I'm wearing a lot of suits ... lots of Double Windsor ties. It's so funny because the wardrobe department has spent a fortune on my shirt and ties.

Well, you know if you're this mystery man, you gotta look good.
Yeah, you know, I didn't come on set with any demands, I'm just happy to be working. But they want to put me in the fine clothes, that's fine with me.

You weren't all diva about it?
No, but you know what, the character drives a Porsche and wears 300 dollar ties. I get to live vicariously through this guy's experiences.

Any smooching going on that we should be looking forward to?
Uh, professionally?

I meant specifically with Marisa on the show ...
Well, let's just say that there are some sparks there.

And are you going to be cheering your other '90210' costar Jennie Garth on for 'Dancing With the Stars?'
Oh, absolutely, I'm so excited, she's going to do wonderfully. I know she's gonna win.

You're not just saying that because she's your friend.
No, I think she's got a legitimate shot. Jennie's got rhythm, and from the dancing that I've seen her do before, I know she can dance. But then again, ballroom dancing is a completely different animal, but, you know what, she's got skills.

Have you been giving her advice?
Yeah, I told her to stock up on ice packs, find a good masseuse, and have fun.

Do you think this cast can live up to the fun of last season?
Well, it seems to be a very eclectic group. I mean, they've got a boxer, they've got a Hollywood entertainer, they've got the magnificent Jane Seymour, there's a couple models in there and some soap opera people ... I don't know how it's gonna measure up. I'm sure they'll do just fine.

It would be hard to top last season though.
Yeah, everyone that I've ever spoken to about the show thinks that last season was the best. It was just the most competitive. There were a lot of good dancers. There weren't just one or two people. It could have gone any way. And there was one moment on last season that I scored the lowest from the judges but didn't get the red light, because the audience pulled me out of the depths of despair!

Because you're such a likeable guy!
I'm just appreciative that they did, and I felt so humbled by it. This was like the first time I ever had any substantive evidence that people are out there and rooting for me. That was my victory. It just put a huge smile on my face. It does right now just even thinking about.

Well, that's good! All the exhaustion paid off.
All the exhaustion paid off. And I think the right guy won. Apolo Ohno did an amazing job, he and Julianne Hough were just perfect together. And there can be only one. Everybody did a great job and I'm very proud of myself.

I was feeling bad that you didn't get the 'Price is Right' gig that you vocally expressed interest in.
That would have been a lot of fun, but you know what, I'm sure Drew Carey is going to do a great job.

When will we see you starring in a new show?
Well, you know, pilot season is coming, but there's a big writer's strike [looming] so I'm not sure what the future's gonna hold. In the meantime, I'm not holding my breath for that. I just finished a movie in Hawaii, 'Azteca.' I played Hernán Cortés, a Spanish explorer/conquistador who conquered Mexico for King Charles of Spain. I wore a dark wig, and they tinted my eyebrows.

I can't picture you with dark hair!
Oh no? I'm telling you, it's fun to play tall, dark and handsome for a change, instead of tall, blond and dorky.

Dorky?
Well, dork, for me, is a compliment. It was a complete departure from anything I've ever looked like before. And what really sucked was that it was a lot hotter than I normally look, or so the feedback from the female cast and crew told me.

When are we going to see a '90210' reunion?
Well, I don't know. There's no talk of that. I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later. It's gonna be many years ... it'll be '9021-Old.'

Well, I'm sure it will have to involve some big ballroom dancing scene at this point.
You're so right! Wouldn't that be funny if Steve and Kelly got back together and like busted out a crazy tango?

Go to 'Side Order of Life' Jason Priestley Interview >>