Reginald VelJohnson talks about his role in “TRON: Uprising”

Reginald VelJohnson is best known for his role of Carl Winslow in “Family Matters”. Reginald is currently voicing the role of Able in Disney XD’s “TRON: Uprising”. In recent episodes, his character Able had a big reveal and has become a key factor of the show. Reginald took out sometime to chat with Media Mikes about his role and reflect on TV values since “Family Matters”.

Mike Gencarelli: What drew you to the role of Able in “TRON: Uprising”?
Reginald VelJohnson: I’ve always appreciated the animation and when I got the opportunity to audition for the role, I made sure that it was something that I was going to be attracted to. It’s the kind of role I usually play, the father figure and mentor to the programs in the grid. It’s essentially the character that drew me to the project.

MG: Can you reflect on the intrigue that is behind the “TRON” series?
RVJ: I think Tron is one of the first video games so it’s like the grandfather of the video era. Tron represents this everyman and comes across as something so powerful, like the computer. He lives through this world, and I guess people are fascinated by that concept, living inside this computer generated world.

MG: What do you enjoy most about Beck and Able’s relationship on the show?
RVJ: He’s the father figure and Able really thinks of all the individuals in the garage as his children and he cares for them and that’s what I think is lovely about the relationship between Beck and Able. It’s like a father and son type of relationship.

MG: In upcoming episodes, we find that Able has this unknown relationship with a powerful figure on the Grid; can you tell us about that reveal for you?
RVJ: Well, it was interesting to me to find out that he has an outsider relationship with this powerful character, and I think this relationship makes him more interesting.

MG: What is the most rewarding aspect of doing voice work?
RVJ: The hours; you go into the studio whenever you want to. You sit in a booth and do your job and you go home – it’s wonderful. I like that it gives you a chance to really explore your craft with your voice.
Have you completed the recording for the first season yet?
I believe we have, I think I did one last episode. I think the new season begins pretty soon but I think we’ve finished off all the episodes of the season.

MG: Also sticking with TV, you are recurring on “Hart of Dixie”, what do you enjoy most about playing Dash DeWitt?
RVJ: Well, he’s sort of a flamboyant character; he’s kind of elegant in a way. He has this cane and bowtie and he walks around the town getting into everybody’s business and telling everyone about the business. He’s a fun character so I enjoy playing that.

MG: After working on a show like “Family Matters” for so many years, how do you feel that TV values have changed?
RVJ: Wow. That’s an interesting question because I think that things have definitely changed since I did “Family Matters.” I think TV with all the reality shows and the hip-hop generation doesn’t focus on the meaning and feeling of a family – the real relationship between people. I don’t think people are too ready to sit down and watch that. I just hope that it comes back because personally, I think that the reality genre needs to die a slow death. I hope that the family type shows come back because I enjoy watching people share family values and loving relationships between each other. I miss that.