More action time for Chi McBride

MANILA, Philippines - “I grew up watching it back in Chicago during the ‘70s,” reveals Chi McBride of the Hawaii Five-0 fan in him. That’s why when the offer to act in the iconic TV series came, Chi never had second thoughts of accepting it. After all, Chi’s character, the no-nonsense Honolulu Police Department Swat Team captain, Lou Grover has been elevated to series regular status in the show’s latest and fourth season, which premieres tonight at 10 on AXN. Expect to see Chi more in action.        

“You know I like working,” says Chi. “I mean if people ask me to come to work. So when CBS called me to be on the television show, of course, I would not say no because I like working. Having been working for years (in the business), I have no problem working.”

Working on the set of Hawaii Five-0 gives Chi the privilege to enjoy the tropical, laid-back life of Hawaii, which is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is not the first time Chi will be based outside mainland US for work. He went to New Zealand for The Frighteners. His latest TV outing also allows the actor to check out some top-notch golf courses in the island. Whoever says that one cannot mix business and pleasure, better think again.

“I can’t believe my luck because this is the greatest job I have ever had in my life,” Chi shares. “I have a wonderful time on the show. I like the people I work with. When I’m not working, I play golf. That’s all I do. I love playing golf. They’ve got a lot of beautiful (golf) courses. I’ve got time to play and I’ve got to know few guys in the military.”

What does his character add to the development of the Hawaii Five-0 story?

“He brings a lot of conflict with (Steve) McGarrett (played by Alex O’Loughlin),” answers Chi. “He pushes McGarrett a lot. He butts head with (McGarrett) and he doesn’t back down. It’s always good to cast an alpha male and these guys (Grover and McGarrett) are both alpha male. Both are unique. Their personalities clash. You’ll find that when two people clash all the time (it’s) because they are really a lot alike and how much they are alike gets revealed in the course of their feelings. I think (my character) is like anybody. He has a job to do. He has got to work. He’s gonna make a living.”

With that, televiewers can also watch some “natural comedy when people don’t like each other,” says Chi. “There’s this basic demeanor and manner about dealing with criminals. There’s a lot of opportunity there for some comedic stuff. Pretty sure, there’s also dramatic stuff. Chi assures that it will be a good mix of comedy and drama, not to mention the adrenaline-rush action that fans and new followers look forward to each episode.

“My whole school of thought for my job is to pretend whatever it is,” Chi says on his work preparation, including character study. “I know a lot of cops who live in Chicago and New York. I hear their stories, and the different experiences that cops go through.” These form Chi’s basis to make a fictional character realistic and relatable to its audiences. By the way, Chi tried his hand in recording in the early part of his career before venturing into acting, which he considers the best job in the world.

Given the years and number of works he has spent and done on the small and big screen, Chi has found the right tools to handle acting assignments with ease and bravado. The public has seen him running, shooting, rolling down the ground and dodging bullets. “I’m familiar with guns,” he says. “I know how to run. And I know how to get in someone else’s way.” However, riding a horse is something Chi can’t fully do. “The horse knows that you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Everybody is born to do something,” Chi concludes. “I feel very fortunate and very blessed to work and to have a continued work.”