Barry Watson on What Makes UP TV’s ‘Date My Dad’ Unique [Exclusive Interview]

Most people know Barry Watson from his role as Matt Camden on 7th Heaven, and his current role on UP TV’s new series Date My Dad feels like a natural progression.

On Date My Dad, Watson plays Ricky Cooper, an ex-baseball player and single dad who is having trouble moving on since his wife’s passing three years ago. But Ricky’s three daughters are determined to help, and they make it their mission to get Ricky back into the dating game.

I had a few questions for Watson about his role on the show and what makes Date My Dad so unique.

Tell-Tale TV: What drew you to want to be a part of Date My Dad, initially?

Barry Watson: I had been looking for a single father concept show, but the ones I was getting weren’t right. None of them seemed genuine. They were all written with a bumbling father or maybe he was too perfect, but there was nothing really messy.

What I liked about the Date My Dad script was that it was messy in that real sort of family way, and not everybody is perfect. Ricky doesn’t always do something perfect to save the day. He makes mistakes. But he’s trying to do the best he can, as most parents do.

Tell-Tale TV: What was your reaction when you first read the script?

Watson: When I read the script, I had tears in my eyes, but I was also laughing at the same time. I realized… I AM Ricky Cooper!

Tell-Tale TV: How else would you describe your character?

Watson: He’s a former major leaguer with three wonderful daughters. He’s been on his own for three years since his wife passed, and has been getting by with the help of his mother-in-law. He’s in survival mode for him and his kids.

Ricky’s not the best with cooking or cleaning. He’s put so much of his time and energy into the girls, but that hasn’t left anything for him. He’s scared and excited to get back into the dating world. He’s a good guy. He’s a fun dad.

Tell-Tale TV: Why do you think people will be excited to watch the show?

Watson: It’s a great show to watch with the whole family. There are so many characters in this show, that I think there’s a character that everyone will be able to personally relate to.

Tell-Tale TV: One of my favorite things about the show is how light-hearted it feels while also being able to deal with such complex emotions. How do you the think Date My Dad manages to strike that balance?

Watson: Usually, the families we see on TV are so extreme. There’s the extreme comedy family or the extreme dramatic family. Date My Dad is a little more in between. In real life, comedy comes from drama, and I think our creator, Nina Colman, did such a great job putting it all together and really getting what family is all about.

Tell-Tale TV: What would you say is the biggest challenge in playing your character?

Watson: Every actor puts some of themselves into every role no matter what it is, but this is definitely in my wheelhouse. There was a time with my two older sons where I was a single dad for a couple of years while their mom was busy working on the East Coast, so I get it.

But having three daughters is a whole different thing. Without my daughter being born, I don’t know if I would have been able to understand the depth for what Ricky Cooper needs to be the father of three girls. The father and daughter relationship is so much different than the father and son relationship. Because of my daughter, I’ve been able to take him to a level that I couldn’t have without her.

Tell-Tale TV: Most people will know you from 7th Heaven. How is working on a show like Date My Dad different from other shows you’ve worked on?

Watson: Instead of my character being told what to do, my character gets to tell everybody what to do. It’s kind of weird for me in a way and it might be weird for certain audience members at first.

I got my start on 7th Heaven. In real life, I’ve grown up and I’ve had my own family. It seems natural for me to move on to this next stage of my career of playing a father.

Tell-Tale TV: Can you tell us a bit about what it’s like behind the scenes?

Watson: It’s a nice, friendly atmosphere with no attitude. I’ve got my home family, but on Date My Dad I’ve got my work family as well. Working with the girls, Lilah Fitzgerald, Zenia Marshall, and Audrey Smallman, they’re great. It’s just a good time on set.

Tell-Tale TV: And finally, what’s one thing fans might be surprised to learn about you?

Watson: I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich.

Be sure to catch Barry Watson on Date My Dad, airing Fridays at 9/8c on UP TV.

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