The Monkees (
)
Before they were stars, they were kids—with stars in their eyes. We asked a dozen TV stars what their passions were as young people, what did they dress up as for Halloween, whose poster hung on the bedroom wall.
PETER FACINELLI, “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
Spider-Man. I collected the comics, watched the cartoons, donned the web-slinger costume on Halloween. Nothing was better than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
PAULEY PERRETTE, “NCIS” (CBS)
I wasn’t allowed to watchmuch TV or movies — I was always in church—but I used to sneak Prince records onto my Mickey Mouse record player and was obsessed with John Cougar.
VICTORIA JUSTICE, “Victorious” (Nickelodeon)
Pokemon cards! I liked collecting them and trading them with my friends. I would be over the moon when I got one of the holographic cards.
ROSANNA SCOTTO, “Good DayNew York” (Fox 5)
“Love Story.” The book and the movie. It was a tragedy, but it was one of the most romantic stories ever. I wanted to be Ali MacGraw! I still use the line, ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry.’ ”
ANTHONY BOURDAIN, “The Layover” (Travel Channel)
Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. They played great music and were not above a good poo joke.
JAMES RODAY, “Psych” (USA)
Val Kilmer. He was Chris Knight, Nick Rivers, IceMan, Jim Morrison, Doc Holiday, Batman and the Saint. He was heroic. He was epic. He was worthy of my obsession. Then the 21st century happened.
DULE HILL, “Psych” (USA)
The three MJs: Michael Jackson, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, Why?
1. TheMoonwalk during “Motown 25”; it was the personification of cool.
2. Showtime & the no-look pass. 3. The man could fly, his name was Air Jordan!
NATHAN FILLION, “Castle” (ABC)
“The Greatest American Hero.” He was the only liveaction TV superhero who could fly since George Reeves. But, because the show aired at the same time as hockey, my dad would only tune in during the commercial breaks in the game. I’d be desperate to see him fly.
BRIAN WILLIAMS, “NBC NightlyNews” and “Rock Center” (NBC)
The truth is, I had an unhealthy, early obsession with the Monkees. My favorite was Michael Nesmith, who at least went on to compose some very good music.
SARAH HYLAND, “Modern Family” (ABC) and “Geek Charming” (Disney Channel)
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” I used to watch that show all the time. Friday night was what I looked forward to all schoolweek long.
EMERIL LAGASSE, “Emeril’s Table” (Hallmark Channel)
Led Zeppelin. [Drummer] John Bonham was the man.
RACHAEL RAY, “Rachael Ray Show”
As a little girl, I hated putting on dresses and would only put one on once a week for “The Tom Jones Show.” I was definitely the only 4-year old wandering around the house singing ‘Delilah.’ To this day, he is still my top celebrity crush.