Powerama - April 2006

Adrienne Janic
Overhaul's Powerama

A mere two days before she was scheduled to begin shooting the fourth season of TLC's wildly popular “Overhaulin',” we managed to catch up with the show's co-host, Adrienne Janic, or as she's better known, AJ. In between running errands in the apparently cold, cloudy, and rainy California weather, she took a few minutes to chat with us about the show, her career, and cars.

RPM: Now, we understand you're currently living in LA, where Overhaulin' is shot, but you've lived in California your whole life, correct?

AJ: Yes, I have.

RPM: And you've been basically entertaining your whole life, starting with dance and acting at a young age. What was that like, and what was it like trying to break into the entertainment industry, given you were growing up so close to the center of it?

AJ: Starting out, it was very difficult because I didn't know anyone in the business. I mean, my dad's an aerospace engineer, and now he's a consultant for NASA, so that's one field right there, and my mom is a registered nurse so she's in the medical field. So, even just thinking of being a model, I had no idea how to break in. I remember thinking that it just seemed like such a far-off dream, even being 30 minutes away from LA! So, in short, I really had a hard time trying to break into it because I didn't know where to begin, but then I found out about open calls and modeling agencies saying they'll see new faces on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the like, so I figured there, that was my opening. So I'd show up with my snapshots and hope that someone would sign me!

RPM: Well that obviously worked out!

AJ: Yeah... well actually one rejected me, saying “oh you're very pretty, but you're just too commercial for us” in a very snobby way! But it's alright, because now looking back, I'm glad I'm commercial. Truth be told, that's where the money's at, not to mention the “editorial” models are six feet tall, a size zero, and somewhat scary looking! Ironically enough, after I had been modeling for about a year, I ran into one of their scouts and they were really interested in signing me. But I told them “you know I did go visit you a year ago but you rejected me for being too commercial for you guys!” She kind of laughed and said that even they make mistakes. But by that time I was already with the Ford Agency and I'm very happy with them.

RPM: Wow. Karma at work, eh?

AJ: Exactly!

RPM: So you've done quite a few different things as well; you've gotten a degree in communications as well as theatre, and you've played everything from Hypolyta (from Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream”) to co-starring on the TV show “House,” and now you're on Overhaulin', which seems to be totally off in left field compared to your other work... how'd you get into that?

AJ: Well, it's been surprising... if someone had told me that right out of high school I was going to start modeling and see the world, I would have laughed. Originally, my plan after high school was to join the Air Force, because I thought that was my only way to see the world and get out of Whittier , where I grew up. So, fast forward to now, and I've gotten all my wishes! I've gotten to see the world, I've done commercials and all the high fashion stuff, but even then if someone had told me that I'd be working on a car show, in a garage, with a bunch of mechanics, I would have laughed even harder! But, obviously that's where I am. But to answer the question, I started out doing pranks, because by season three Chris, my co-host, was getting very recognizable, so they figured hey, let's bring in an actress to trick people. So, I started out on the Tahoe episode, playing the garage owner's trashy, bitchy wife! After that episode, Chris complimented me on my performance, saying I did a great job of pissing off the mark, and the producers invited me back for another episode, then another and another. So I did five episodes of pranks and by then the previous co-host had already left, so the network called and asked if I'd like to be the new co-host.

RPM: And all the rest is history?

AJ: Well, I told them I know nothing about cars, and asked if they were sure they wanted me, and they said yes! They were looking for someone to ask the normal questions, the sort of questions the viewers' girlfriends, wives, sisters, etc would normally be asking!

RPM: And how's it been working on the show?

AJ: It's been a blast... the guys have taught me how to weld, grind, sand, cut, torch, you name it.

RPM: So, as a co-host, you do actually work on the vehicles?

AJ: Yeah, slowly. I came into Overhaulin' and told everyone I didn't want to step on anyone's toes. I'm not going to pretend to be some expert on cars, because I'm not! So I came in, told everyone I knew nothing about cars, but that I was willing to learn. And episode by episode I'm doing a little bit more; I'm getting dirty, too.

RPM: It sounds like you enjoy working on the cars!

AJ: Oh I love it. My nails are gone, I had to cut all my nails but my compromise was that I wouldn't cut my hair, which is for the best I think! I'm a girly girl, I'll admit that. I love all the girly stuff, and I love having pretty hair, and so that's one girly thing I left in.

RPM : Now... you mentioned you got into the show by pranking marks. You still take part in the pranks, but how difficult are they for you?

AJ: Well, the pranking is the easy part for me because I started off acting. See, acting and hosting are two different things, and for me acting is far easier because you assume a character. Me, on my own, hosting... well... to be honest, I'm pretty shy, so it can be hard for me to be myself around people I don't know. But, once you do get to know me I'm actually pretty geeky and kind of a goofball. Oh, and a klutz too! And every time I see an episode, it seems that's all the editors seem to capture - my geekiness and goofiness!

RPM: Editors, eh? Yes, they can be a pain, we have a few around here. Now, in terms of editing, a lot of critical viewers question the legitimacy of the “frantic finish” that seems to happen every episode. Care to set the record straight?

AJ: People have to remember that there are cameras running 7 days straight, for 24 hours a day, so the editors have to sift through seven straight days worth of footage. And yes, we always get asked “do you really overhaul a car in seven days?” And yes, we do. While there's no drama on-set like there is with a few other shows, the guys do get frustrated once in a while, but we always pull together as a team to get it done.

RPM: Obviously there's a lot to overhauling a car in seven days. How do you, Chris, Chip and the rest of the team get it done and not just go nuts with how much there is to do?

AJ: Well, Chip is the captain, and he handles the design and what needs to be done, but we also have the Project Manager, Craig. He orders all the parts, and assigns all the jobs, so each person has a designated job, except me. I just sort of float around, doing whatever I can, carrying bumpers, polishing chrome, you name it.

RPM: Well, every little bit helps...

AJ: Yeah, so does all the coffee! There's always lots of coffee on-set, just in case.

RPM: Speaking of coffee, just how much rest do you guys get while you're doing all this?

AJ: I think Chris and I have the easy job. When we get tired, we can go home after our ten-hour day and just come back later. The guys, on the other hand, have to stay there until it's done. If they are working on the engine and it needs to fire by 3:00 am on Thursday, then it needs to fire by 3:00 am, no ifs ands or buts. So, they have to stay there until it does. Sometimes they only get about three hours of sleep, but it needs to be done. You can usually tell by day seven though, they usually look pretty tired by then!

RPM: And now we have to ask, what's it like working with Chip Foose?

AJ: I'm very lucky to work with the best of the best, and Chip himself only surrounds himself with the best of the best. So, I get to learn about cars from the best, and that's a real honour. And they're so nice too, I mean, Chip doesn't work with people who are dramatic and yell and such. That's one of the rules on-set - no yelling. Sure, people get frustrated, but if there's a real problem they just talk it out. They're all professionals, they respect one another, and treat each other well, and it's great.

RPM: To switch gears a little now, what do you drive?

AJ: People always ask me that! I drive a Mercedes Benz CLK320 coupe.

RPM: Coupe?! In lovely California ?

AJ: You know, I'm just not the convertible type. I don't want the funky tan lines! But my car has been Foosed out...

RPM: Really!? So then, what's been done to it?

AJ: Well, I had been mentioning that I wanted to put some new wheels on my car, and he overheard me and told me to take a look on his website and see if there's anything I liked. Then he told me he needed to take my car to measure it for the wheels, and at the time I didn't know any better...

RPM: I think I know where this is going...

AJ: Yeah. So all of a sudden I realized how long it was taking, then later on that evening he pulls up with my car, but it had brand new wheels and tires, it had been lowered a little bit, the windows were tinted... I was basically mini-overhauled!

RPM: And what was your favourite car on the show?

AJ: We've all got favourites, but mine would have to be a '68 Firebird we JUST overhauled. I wasn't a big fan of it, but after we finished it I thought “wow, this is a car I could drive.” Also, the Jay Leno episode with the '56 Chevy Nomad; you have to see that car in person. TV doesn't do it justice; it looks like you bought a Hot Wheel, took it out of its package, and blew it up.

RPM: And with that, I'm out of questions. Oh wait... how's the weather?

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