Most 80's teen idols have burnt out and landed on reality shows talking about drug addictions (Breaking Bonaduce) or passed conquests (Scott Baio is 45 and Single). Very few go on to become successful producers and directors like Brian Robbins, who is set to release Meet Dave starring Eddie Murphy and Elizabeth Banks this Friday. We caught up with the director to about baseball, bitter film critics and making out with Jennifer Aniston.

First up, sports. You made the acclaimed Bonds on Bonds documentary about fallen baseball star Barry Bonds, but did he really take steroids?
You know, to be honest only he knows.

But is baseball clean now?
Yeah it’s very clean now, you’d have to be very stupid to do anything like that, especially in the world we live in now. However I’m sure there are still some not very bright people out there.

Who’s your team?
The Mets!

And your prognosis for the season?
Wow, well they’re not doing as well as I’d like them to do so hopefully they’ll come on in the second half.

We can only hope. You’ve worked with Eddie in Norbit and now Meet Dave, and you are set to direct him again in 1000 Words, you like working with Eddie, huh?
Very much so, when you go to work every day as a director and you have a piece of material that you like, a talented actor like him makes it come alive. It’s just a pleasure to work with him. He’s the man!

Is it a condition in his contract that he gets to play more than one character in every movie, or are you just trying to save money on actors?
Haha! He does the multiple character thing very well, and when you’re as gifted as he is it’s natural to want to try it again.
 
Are there any fat suits in Meet Dave? We love the fat suits man.
No, no fat suits.

Do you and Eddie kick back and sink beers when you’re not working?
Not really, we have a very professional relationship, but that said this is our third film so we’re like a little family.
 
Let’s get contentious. You criticized critics for their negative reviews of Wild Hogs and Norbit, which did well at the box office - are the critics wrong?
You know I don’t want to get into the whole critic thing… but when you have a film that’s wildly successful with the audience but slammed by the critics, what’s going on?

Maybe it’s personal.
Nah. You know, Hitchcock’s Vertigo was slammed when it first came out, I’m not comparing, but you know…
 
Early in your career you appeared as a teen actor in many hit 80s programs. What was your favorite 80s show? Pictionary perhaps?
Haha! No I tell you, it was a film called Camp Cucamonga and I got to kiss Jennifer Aniston.

You got there before Brad Pitt! On your Full House days starring alongside the Olsen Twins, did you ever think they would get so big?
No, but if I had know I’d have tried to date them!

You also starred in an episode of Knight Rider – what was The Hoff like?
He was a very nice guy; he was very nice to me. I was a kid, so he was very cool.

Did you get to sit in ultra cool but very effeminate Kitt?
Yeah! I stole it! My character stole the car and in the same episode an older woman seduced me. It was very cool.

Did you keep any of the “Teen Beat” magazines with your photo in them?
I’m sure my mom has them all, but I haven’t looked at them for a long time.

You must meet some wild and extravagant people in Hollywood, tell us about the best bits?
You know I’m a pretty mellow guy, I don’t live an extravagant Hollywood lifestyle. I go to work and go home and spend time with the kids. I’m pretty boring, haha!

Do you still get star struck?
All the time! I was in the lobby at DreamWorks the other day and Steven Spielberg walked in, and my jaw just dropped. Even around Eddie I still do a double take sometimes.

What’s your favourite Spielberg moment?
Without a doubt Jaws, I don’t think I went in the ocean for three years after that.

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”
Exactly.

FHM Online recently completed the world famous 100 Sexiest Women in the World competition, who’s your number one?
Wow, I can get in trouble for this one.

You can say your wife if you saves you from trouble…
Nah.

Megan Fox won this year by the way.
Really? Yeah she’s pretty hot, but I still think she’s an Angelina Jolie look-alike, so I’m going to go with Angelina!

By Henry Rimmer