A conversation with Jordan Bridges

On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Hallmark Channel will air “Family Plan,” a romantic comedy starring Tori Spelling (“Beverly Hills 90210”) as Charlie Mackenzie, a young career woman who wants to impress her family-oriented potential boss, played by Greg Germann (“Ally McBeal”), by pretending she’s married, and a mom. But then said boss wants to meet her husband and child, and Charlie realizes she either has to come up with an instant family or forget about the job. She “borrows” a friend’s daughter to be her child. For her spouse, Charlie hires an actor, played by Jordan Bridges (“Mona Lisa Smile”) to take on what could be the role of his lifetime.

Jordan Bridges says there were at least two reasons why he agreed to do “Family Plan.”

“First, it was a chance for me to work with Tori Spelling. We grew up next door to each other,” he says, “and we used to put on plays in each other’s back yard. We used to say that someday we would work together in a real theater or do a real television show. It took a while for that to happen, but here we are.

“I also liked how much the movie reminded me of those great ‘screwball’ comedies of the 1930s and ‘40s with people like Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, and Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The audiences had a lot of fun watching those movies, and the actors had a lot of fun making them.

“It’s the same (with ‘Family Plan’). All of us, Tori, Greg, me — we enjoyed doing it, and I know the audience will enjoy seeing it.”

The son, nephew and grandson respectively of Beau, Jeff and Lloyd Bridges, Jordan started his professional acting career early, working mostly in dramas with his dad, but also with his uncle and grandfather. And although drama still dominates Bridges’ credits list, he says he likes doing comedy and plans to do more.

Asked if he agrees with actors who say comedy is more difficult than drama, Bridges says, “Each has its own challenge. For example, timing is always important, but especially so in comedy.”

In other words, it’s not just what you say or how you say it, but when you say it.

“Exactly,” Bridges says. And it can be more physical: You do a lot more with your face and your body. You also have to hope that you’re working with actors, like Tori and Greg, who appreciate what doing comedy is all about.”

And that is?

“Keeping the fun going … .”

IN FOCUS: Annie Parisse (“National Treasure”) has joined the cast of “Law and Order” as Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia — a name that traces back to the 15th century to what some historians call the first crime family. One of their members, Lucrezia Borgia, loved to wear oversize rings that held poison in a secret compartment, which could be popped open over a proffered goblet of wine. Indeed, sometimes getting a coveted invitation for drinks with la Lucrezia was to die for — literally. And while Lucrezia was never charged with murder back in circa 1492, how would A.D.A. Borgia deal with the powerfully connected (two Popes in the family) lady in 2005?

“Just the way she would handle anyone suspected of committing a crime,” Parisse says, noting that A.D.A. Borgia has an unshakable commitment to seeing justice done, and nothing or no one could change that.

“I love to play strong women who believe in themselves, who know who they are and what they want, and Alexandra is that (type of) woman,” Parisse says, adding that Alexandra has both the intelligence and the confidence to do her job.

Parisse — whose credits also include the role of Julie Lindsey on “As the World Turns” and the features “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” the upcoming “Prime” with Meryl Streep and Uma Thurman and “Monster In Law” with Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda — did a guest turn on “L&O” during the 2001-2002 season. She says she had such a great time on the show, she was hoping to be invited for another guest stint at some point. That didn’t happen. Instead, she was asked to come aboard the series to join Sam Waterston, Jesse L. Martin, Dennis Franz and Fred Thompson as a regular member of the cast.

Finally, if Annie Parisse and Alexandra Borgia sat down together over a pot of tea or soymilk lattes, what advice would Annie give Alexandra?

“I would tell her to continue to be who she is, and never stop believing in herself.”

DIAL TONE: On Feb. 15 (check local listings) the PBS series, NOVA will air “Saving the National Treasures,” a fascinating inside look at the five-year project involved in rescuing America’s priceless charters of freedom — the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights — from deterioration, and preserving them for generations to come. This is one you’ll want to watch with the kids.