[IMG:L]It’s an age-old question: Does age matter? The latest twist in the reality TV dating game poses that question to bachelor tennis star Mark Philippoussis, who’s asked to choose between women in their 20s and women in their 40s in NBC’s summer experiment Age of Love. Mark Consuelos, married to actress-TV host Kelly Ripa—six months his senior—for 11 years now, serves as host and brings considerable relationship experience and perspective to the job.
He weighs in on the concept and his own love life for us.
Hollywood.com: Will this show change society’s perceptions about younger men dating older women?
Mark Consuelos: My initial reaction was like all guys of course he’s going to date younger women. And then I started to think about my own life and friends of mine, people that are in these situations where they’re very attracted to older women or are dating or thinking about making that move. And I think it’s relevant. Fifteen years ago it wasn’t even a question. Now I think that you do see it more. I’m hoping that he’s open to that. I think when you find someone that has a lot of life experience, who’s sophisticated, who’s been through more things, and who challenges you regardless of the age, that’s extremely attractive. You can find someone who is 20 that gives you that, and you can find someone in their 40s that can also give you that. I think that’s going to be an interesting dynamic.
HW: What’s your role in the show—are you a confidant as well as host?
MC: Somebody really wise told me once, never take advice from someone who’s more screwed up than you. So I really don’t want to give him too much advice. You know, I just want to kind of be there to keep the options open for him.
HW: Do you think it is harder for older women to date?
MC: I don’t know. I think there are maybe more obstacles. I think anyone who has kids… that is a variable that you don’t know if your partner is going to be open to. But I think the rules have changed. I’m so happy I’m not in that game anymore and haven’t been for such a long time.
HW: What was Kelly’s reaction when you said you were doing a dating show?
MC: Well one of her favorite shows is The Bachelor, so she wanted to know how it would be different–and that was one of my biggest concerns also. Because it is different, that is what most interested me, and it had to be a fun project. I didn’t want it to be mean spirited. I have a mom, a wife and a daughter–I am fan of women–so I wanted a good tone to it.
HW: What is the key to keeping your relationship strong?
MC: Some times the key is to have a little bit of separation. We just went through a year and half of me being home every single day, I have been home and not working, and I am an excruciating pain in the ass.
HW: So she wanted you to get a job?
MC: Well not get a job, but just to go get some eggs, some milk, just go somewhere! We knew when we got into this business there woud be times of extreme closeness–and time apart. I really don’t like being away from my family. I have three kids that I think of all the time. I have been in countries for six months at a time and that is not a choice I will make anymore. Doing a one-hour drama is not too realistic for me now. This is. It’s like doing a small movie: you are in and out and in three weeks you are home.
HW: So other than the separation, what do you do to keep the marriage going?
MC: We have a place in the Hamptons we like to go to every weekend. We have friends that also have kids, so we kind of have the 8:30 pm benchmark. The kids go to bed and we have a sitter so we go out and get crazy for an hour and a half.
HW: Do your kids take after either one of you with regard to show business?
MC: Thankfully, all of the good qualities my wife has, my kids have every single one of them. My kids have more talent in their little fingers than I will ever have as an actor. They are so talented.
HW: Would you want them to follow you and Kelly into it?
MC: I hope not. Doctor, lawyer, something academic!
HW: Is there a downside to being a couple in the public eye?
MC: You just can’t have any arguments on the street.
Age of Love airs at 9 p.m. Monday nights on NBC.
