Moderator

  (3:00 PM)

Hey everyone .. there were some technical issues that caused today's shooting schedule to be pushed back .. Jason is going to have to join us tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. ET. Your questions will be saved. Thank you.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:08 PM)

Hello everyone ... really sorry I couldn't make it today. I look forward to talking to you all on Wednesday.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (2:54 PM)

I am here and ready to go!!

Todd (Cincinnati OH)

Jason, I played football against you in High School. I played for the DP Wildcats. You had a great team. Rafter was a beast. My question for you is how much do you draw upon your football experience in this roll?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (2:56 PM)

Quite a bit. It's good to have past training because it is something you can tap into immediately. The first time I was in the Skydome with all these NFL and CFL guys was just like a Friday night in Cincinnati all over again. I actually lost my voice yelling so much! Kudos on the Rafter call .. he WAS a beast!

Scott Vanderpool,Punxsutawney PA

How long does it Take to film one Episode of Playmakers?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (2:57 PM)

Normally it takes around 7 work days. We shoot Mon.-Fri. If we start on Monday, we'll end the following Tuesday or Wednesday. The pilot took 10 days to shoot because they wanted to make sure it was done well since it was setting up the series. Sometimes with script changes it could go over.

Anthony Export, PA

Have you learned anything about what a football players life is like? How is it different or the same as an actors?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (2:59 PM)

Wow, good question. I think I've learned quite abit about what it's like to be a pro athlete. They are really under the microscope. We are in Toronto where the show isn't on the air so I haven't been exposed to the media attention yet. Pro athletes are called upon to do a job and they have a whole lot of power. They are treated like Gods really. I guess actors in general get treated like that but I just have't had the attention yet!

Drew: Gainesville, FL

What is your dream role as an actor? who is your favorite actor?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:00 PM)

My dream role I guess would probably be Hans Solo in Star Wars! Or Indiana Jones! Maybe Neo in Matrix! Actually, No. 1 would be Strider in Lord of the Rings. That's a bad ass role. My favorite actor is probably Mel Gibson.

Drew Dawg from Madison, Alabama

I see where you went to Northern Illinois. They have a very big football game this week when they play at Bama. You seem to be big enough to have played ball. Did football interest you at all, or was acting your main gig?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:03 PM)

Playing in high school you don't want to give it up but when I was recruited by schools, I didn't feel I was big enough physically to compete at that time, without having to "enhance" my strength. I chose not to do that. I'm just like most guys in the U.S., I live and breathe Sunday football. Football has always been a huge part of my life. I did my first play at the age of 17. I loved it but didn't know I could actually make a career of it. I thought that was just for beautiful people. After auditioning for University of Cincinnati's program, I got in and it built up my confidence. The guy that plays Trent King on our show went to NIU and played linebacker. We have been telling stories ever since we met .. NIU has come a long way since I was there. I do hope they kick Bama's asss!

Jennifer (Albany, NY)

Are you single?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:04 PM)

Yes. Very single. For me, my ideal woman is a cross between Laura Ingles Wilder from Little House on the Prairie and Julie Andrews but with the looks of a Natalie Portman.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:04 PM)

Good luck to me finding that ...

Sam from Texas

What physical demands are there to do a show of this nature? When you all are lifting are those real weights?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:05 PM)

Yes, it is very demanding physically. I've been working out every day since last December. Sometimes it is hard to find the time with all the demands of the show. We had an 18-hour shoot yesterday doing an NFL Combine where they put you through all these tests. Those days really wear you out. You have to be in great shape.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:06 PM)

I can definately improve in that area! Some scenes it is real weights and sometimes they are fake. When you have to do take after take after take with real weights, any human will wear down after awhile.

Mike E Cleveland Oh

What is it like working with Nick Cage in Matchstick men?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:07 PM)

Actually, what happened is I got cast in a tiny role in one scene and it was with Nick Cage. He is a nut job! He is one of my favorite actors. It was such a trip meeting him. But halfway through the day they cancelled the shoot. Ridley Scott's daughter had a medical emergency. When the rescheduled it I was shooting Hollywood Homicide so they had to recast the role. But I keep it on my bio.

Niki - St. Pete FL

I think the show is very entertaining, but it is getting some bad press from NFL players. Does it bother you or the other actors to hear negative comments from "real" football players?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:09 PM)

I think it's pretty cool. When you start hitting closer to the bone on some of these issues, you are going to have some people who are doing the actual occupation not liking it. What people need to understand is that it is a drama and it's a drama with a backdrop of football, like NYPD is a drama with a police backdrop. Most of our storylines come directly out of the sports page. None of the players like to see their dirtly laundry airs but we put a lot of attention in the details so we don't draw attention to anyone inparticular.

Mayne - Bay Area

Hey Jason, what type of music do you listen to?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:11 PM)

I dig U2 and Coldplay, Radiohead. I also like Christian bands .. I toured as a road manager with some .. Mortal and Foldvandura. I can't leave out Rage Against the Machine. Some of my scenes, I listen to Rage. If you don't want to fight after listening to that, nothing will do it for you.

bob johnson city tn

what was your first acting job?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:13 PM)

I kind of got drafted in first grade to play the Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk! I guess I was a foot taller than everyone else. I got the role by default. Then I played the tooth fairy in my fifth grade dental pageant. Actually, I was Super Crest. I just remembered. Those were my groundbreaking roles. My first cool role was playing the Lion in Wizard of Oz in high school. That is what made me want to be an actor.

Jason ( Oxnard, Cali )

Would you lay gooding down on the field if you had to play "D" on him or would he run you over like SHOCKEY?????

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:14 PM)

In a heartbeat .. I would lay him out! In a heartbeat! He would be seein' stars for the next few years!

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:14 PM)

He is a very good friend of mine .. but if he crosses me just once .. it's on!

Sandy-Chesterfield, Mich.

Jason, What is your next project going to be after Playmakers?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:16 PM)

PLAYMAKERS is it for right now. Being up here in Toronto we are a long way from LA. We can't really audition while up here. For me, I'm going to look into some movie options when I get back and hopefully have some worked lined up before the holidays next year. There is a director named Bruce McDonald .. he has some of the coolest movies around and I'm working with him to hopefully do a couple movies .. in Canada and maybe in South Africa. If anyone gets a chance .. rent a movie called "Hard Core Logo" .. it's a mockumentary on Punk Rock .. kind of like Spinal Tap.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:16 PM)

It's about 8 years old .. really cool.

Eric (Yorktown NY)

how hard is it to film 7 days a week

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:17 PM)

It's pretty brutal man. There isn't a whole lot of time for recreational activities. We shoot anywhere from 12-18 hour days. Most of my time off the set I'm reading a book or watching a movie or sleeping.

Josh (Hartford, CT)

Has your fame helped you with any famous ladies?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:19 PM)

I was originally cast in a move with Jennifer Garner but I had to back out of it because of PLAYMAKERS. I was very joyful that that door had been opened up. And she had just gotten out of divorce! Bummer for me. But I guess the answer to your question would be not yet ..

JOE

Stone Cold Steve Austin or Goldberg or Jason Matthew Smith, who would won in a wrestling match?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:20 PM)

(Laughing) I'd probably say Stone Cold .. or The Rock if you threw him in there. I would be in the hospital for weeks. But I can act better than they can!

Jay (Lansdale, PA)

Jason- love the show! How difficult was it to make the game scenes appear so realistic? Where were they shot?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:22 PM)

The fact that we have ex-NFL and current CFL players on our team, they are doing the majority of making us look good. We leave it to the pros to make it all look good. And we have a great cinematographer. He is from NFL Films. He's doing a pretty damn good job. I get tingles watching it because it is so realistic.

John (NC)

I love PlayMakers but i Missed last nights episode, what happened?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:23 PM)

Watch a rerun!! Too much happened for me to tell you .. ask a friend! They show reruns all the time .. next week they will rerun yesterday's show the hour before. Catch it then!

Ben (Upstate NY)

Jason, what episode of Playmakers was the most fun to shoot?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:25 PM)

I got to have sex with a model type girl .. that is coming up. That was pretty cool! I was completely naked except for a sock type thing .. that was a little awkward but very fun. That and also any of the scenes with Russell.. the guy that plays Leon. Any of those scenes are a blast.

Ben (Potsdam, NY)

Jason--Tuesdays @ 9 and Sundays @ 1 are now my favorite times of the week, barring Friday and Saturday nights. Just thought I'd let you know. Anyway, my question to you is who's your favorite pro team? GO DOLPHINS!

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:25 PM)

Being from Cincinnati I'm a die-hard Bengals fan although we have not had much success. They will rise again. I'm really digging Miami and New Orleans.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:26 PM)

I'm heading down to Ft. Lauderdale after filming wraps to see my folks and catch a Fins game while I'm in town.

lakewood,wa

what is it like working with chris wiehl?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:29 PM)

He is very professional. He is a chick magnet. I've seen women just walk up and give him their numbers when we are out at bars up here. He has been around a long time and has taught me a lot about the business. He's a very good friend. That goes for the entire cast. We are all tight. I hope they give him more of a storyline if we come back for Season 2.

Niki in St. Pete

YAY! A fellow Bengals fan!

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:30 PM)

We are a dying breed!

sal (brooklyn)

enjoy the show will yourcharacter in the show get together with Leon's wife

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:31 PM)

(Laughing) You will have to tune in to find out .. she is an incredible actress and quite easy on the eyes.

Dale (Birch Run , MI)

Did you play sports in high school if so which ones?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:33 PM)

I played a little baseball in junior high, outside of the school. I was more entertainment than player! Other than that, I know it's not really sports, but I play a lot of darts and pool. The bar olympics. When I get together with my PSC crew (high school buddies) we play a game called bocce ball.

Rich (PA)

How did it feel to pick up a man by the neck (episode #3)?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:34 PM)

You should try it sometime! It's pretty cool to release someof your pent up anger in a safe environment of a show where you know you won't get arrested!

Dom (Bay Area)

How is ESPN able to air so much profanity at 6 p.m. on the West Coast? Not that I mind, of course.

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:35 PM)

Because we are on cable. Cable has different regulations than network TV. There are still certain four-letter words we can't use. Some of the sexual content is quite closely watched.

Ryan (Newington, CT)

Is Playmekers on in Canada? If so what's the reaction to the show up there?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:37 PM)

Yeah, they don't have ESPN in Canada. They have TSN that is the Toronto Sports Network. In the city, a lot of people know about the show but it doesn't get much attention up here. It's easy to just walk around and not get noticed.

Dom (Bay Area)

How many episodes will be shot for the first season of the show?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:38 PM)

We have 11. We are on No. 10 right now. We have a pretty cool special guest coming on for the 10th episode .. watch for that!

chad k (ashland,pa)

jason,ever thought of wrestling for the wwe?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:40 PM)

(Laughing) No. I value my life too much. If the right chance came along, I might just have to jump in the ring! I would just have somebody very big in front of me.

Mike E Cleveland Oh

What is most rewarding about your career so far?

Jason Matthew Smith

  (3:43 PM)

I think just to have gone through the kind of hardships that any actor goes through. I starved to death almost and had no money to eat and do all those things. I relied on family and friends alot to get through the hard times. Now I'm in a place where I can pay them back. That is very very rewarding for me. Thanks for all the questions! Keep the word of mouth going about the show. Each episode gets better and better as it goes along. If we can keep the drive going and the word of mouth going, we will definately have a second season! Take care and we'll do this again sometime.