He spills on the show’s end, Parenthood, his dating life, and more

IHR: After FNL you went on to join Parenthood, but that show was already in its second season. Was it intimidating to be the new kid?
Michael: It was intimidating, but I mean it couldn’t be any more intimidating than coming onto Friday Night Lights. I wasn’t actually nervous. It was a smooth transition going from one show to the next, but I didn’t know too much about my (Parenthood) character.

IHR: Who do you relate to more: Friday Night Lights’ Vince or Parenthood’s Alex?
Michael: They both have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders. They both come from unfortunate circumstances. Vince is a little more street — he’s very street. He had to make some very tough decisions to survive and support his mom and his family. Alex on the other hand, mom’s not around, dad’s not around. He went the more destructive route, and started to drink. For me personally, I’m so far off from both of these characters. I have both my parents — family is a very strong foundation for me, and is very important to me today. I just try to find characters who are so often misunderstood, and can so easily be taken as a stereotype. I try to change and give them choices, and give them reasoning for why they are they way they are.

IHR: What can we look forward to with Alex and Haddie this season?
Michael: I think the love connection gets stronger. I think the stakes are raised between those two. It’s going to be a very eventful!

IHR: Do you think (your character) Alex is coming back for season three, or was this a one season deal?
Michael: Alex should be around for season three. If things work out, he should be around for season 3.

IHR: Parenthood touches on some pretty heavy subjects. Is there a topic that hasn’t been covered on the show yet that you’d like to cover?
Michael: They’ve been hitting on so many good subjects. I heard the critics were rough on Crosby and Jasmine’s story line with the interracial relationship. It’s so shocking to me every time I hear something like that. Like you guys are still talking about that? It’s one of those things like, the only people that have a problem with it are racists. I’m colorblind, and sometimes people are stuck in their ways, but times are changing and everything is evolving and people have to get on this train of evolution or they’ll get left behind in the dust. It’s all about choice or opinion. But it’s never been a problem with me. People are just scared of things they don’t understand.

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