You beat out Nicolas Cage for the lead in your high school’s production of Our Town. Did he ever exact revenge?
Every day that he receives his paycheck compared to mine.
Bigger hotbed of insider politics: Washington, D.C., or your alma mater, Beverly Hills High?
Believe it or not, Beverly High students are pretty supportive of one another. We’re proud of our school. It’s kind of old-fashioned in that way, and graduates root for each other.
You directed 1993’s Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican bobsled team. Any childhood holiday sledding memories you treasure?
A friend of my parents once lost a finger sledding. That’s all the information a Jewish mother needs to keep her kid indoors for 40 years.
Biggest plot twist—Jericho returning to the fall lineup, or action star Bruce Willis starring in your Disney movie The Kid?
Anytime a big movie star says “yes” to working with me, I’m completely baffled. But the fact that Jericho fans united to convince CBS to bring the show back was completely ridiculous. After being canceled, it was so sweet to be able to come back and say “neener neener neener” to the network. Vengeance and spite are highly underrated emotions.
Energy bars or Red Bull drinks—which is the better octane-delivery method to keep the pursuit hot?
Energy bars are good for people who get cranky when they’re hungry. That would be me. But they don’t give you energy; they just prevent you from losing it—your energy and your temper. Considering there’s a coffee place on every single street corner, a nice café mocha works better for me than a (sugar-free) Red Bull.
You’ve shot both National Treasure films in D.C. Any favorite spots to check out the local action when filming shuts down?
Whenever we shot at night, we wrapped filming around 5 a.m., and sunrise over the Capitol is unforgettable.
Best D.C. monument for a foot chase: Lincoln, Jefferson or Washington?
The Lincoln wouldn’t work because too many Army guys finish their jog there and they’d kick your a- -. Washington is only good if you’re running down the steps. Plus, the line is so long, it wouldn’t be much of an action scene. So I’d go with the Jefferson. But only during the day ... they won’t let you use movie lights at night.
CBS signed you to a multiyear deal—any details you can spill on upcoming projects?
How cool! I could be an “unnamed source” or a “confidential informant.” We’re working on a few shows, including one about the CIA (but I’m sure they know that already).