Lou Ferrigno Jr. Is Spilling Valuable ‘9-1-1’ Tea On Cameo, And Fans Love Him For It

Hardcore TV fans who are chronically online know that interviews with the press aren’t the only source of valuable behind-the-scenes insight into their favorite shows.

Years after The Office, Friday Night Lights, One Tree Hill, and other personal faves ended, I looked at old episodes in a new light with the help of celebrity-hosted rewatch podcasts. Over the course of Ted Lasso‘s three-season run, Jason Sudeikis’ strategic Twitter likes became my morning paper. I regularly turn to TikTok for spoiler-filled theories from eagle-eyed members of Bachelor Nation. And as 9-1-1‘s spectacular seventh season winds down on ABC, I pray that Lou Ferrigno Jr. stays booked and busy on Cameo so he’ll keep spilling tea on everything from his character Tommy Kinnard and his relationship with Oliver Stark’s Evan “Buck” Buckley to creative choices behind scenes, memories from set, and more.

For those unfamiliar with Cameo, the platform — which launched in 2017 — allows people to pay for personalized videos from actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other noteworthy figures. As Lou Ferrigno Jr.’s page notes, aside from 9-1-1, fans know the actor as Ryan from Outer Banks, Rocker from S.W.A.T, and Hourman from DC’s Stargirl. Judging by his Reviews section, Ferrigno Jr. has been on Cameo since at least 2019, but since his 9-1-1 character returned in Season 7 and kissed Buck in Episode 4, some clever, resourceful fans of the popular procedural have been paying to get their burning questions about the series answered by the actor himself.

From birthday and holiday wishes, to pep talks, roasts, and advice, Ferrigno Jr. offers a variety of personalized videos on Cameo, but his Q+As are for all to enjoy. With videos currently going for $125, it’s a high price to pay for information that actors could share for free in interviews or social media posts, but if you want to drop dollars on a modern-day autograph, who am I to judge? And with a lengthy average video time of 3:50, it seems Ferrigno Jr. is putting in effort to make the investments worthwhile.

Why Tommy Calls Buck “Evan”

When asked why he thinks Tommy calls Buck “Evan,” unlike most everyone else in his life, Ferrigno Jr. revealed, “That was actually strategic. It was very clear that Tommy is to refer to Buck as Evan. The script supervisor is very diligent…I can’t even call him Buck.” The actor explained that based on the circumstances, he believes Evan Buckley showed up to the 118 and became Buck after Tommy departed, but when he reached out to Tommy for a tour of LAFD Air Operations, he likely referred to himself as Evan, so Tommy stuck with it. Ferrigno Jr. went so far as to share his own imagined backstory for the name choice, suggesting Tommy had a friend named Evan growing up so he likes using the name. And the thoughtful responses don’t stop there!

That Beast Of A Hospital Kiss

Regarding Tevan’s Season 7, Episode 6 hospital kiss, which featured a moan from Tommy that sent fans in a frenzy, Ferrigno Jr. set the record straight on Cameo, explaining, “The kiss was shot where [Oliver] was walking at a faster pace than I was — it’s more physics than anything else. He kissed me, and yes, I moaned. It was more of an Mmm! because the kiss was abrupt and it caught my lips by surprise. Not only that, I was covered in soot and I was afraid that any bystander or random hospital dweller would get soot on them. I wouldn’t want that, but I couldn’t be late for the wedding. I had to be there.”

In one video, the actor assures fans, “Nothing will be glossed over. Everything is open for questions.” In case you doubted him, he even shared his “honest thoughts” about Buddie, aka Buck and Eddie, the best friends who fans have been shipping as a couple for years.

Lou Ferrigno Jr.’s Thoughts On Buddie

“I think that from Season 2, Buck and Eddie have had great chemistry. And has it been more than friendship? Has it not? Does anyone know for real? I think it’s great. I think it’s a relationship we don’t really see ever on TV — two men that are enjoying each other, that are friends, that are sharing intimate moments,” Ferrigno Jr. said. “Are they? Are they not? Either way, it’s two strong men being vulnerable and opening things up, and I just love that, and I try to be that person for my friends. Will they end up together? I don’t know. But Tommy’s a good guy. Tommy’s really got a lot to offer. And you need to shake things up a little bit, because Tommy extended the life of Buddie, because now Tommy and Buck are going on a date and what happens if that doesn’t work out? Huh? Have you thought of that?”

Season 2 Tommy Memories

While binge-watching Lou Ferrigno Jr. Cameo videos is beneficial to anyone who craves timely 9-1-1 Season 7 reveals, the account is also a great way to learn more about the actor’s time on the show. He revealed the chicken chase in “Bobby Begins Again” was one of his most memorable scenes to shoot, because nobody knew what they were doing and the chicken “was rambunctious. It was on a mission to cause hell.” Ferrigno Jr. said the show used three chickens — an active chicken, a stunt chicken, and a holding chicken — and he admittedly had to “control himself” while sharing a scene with the brilliant Angela Bassett.

The actor also said the craziest thing he’s done on the show thus far was opting to climb the ladder in “Bobby Begins Again” to rescue a man hanging upside down from a palm tree. “If you go back and watch the episode, that was actually us rescuing this gentleman from what appeared to be imminent death,” he said. As for his most watched scene? Ferrigno Jr. explained, “I gotta say, I watched that romantic moment at Buck’s place — I’ve watched it over and over again. It’s beautiful. And in setting out to complete that task, Oliver and I, I think we really struck a nerve. Because the response has been fantastic…”

If you’re not in the market to buy your own Cameo but still want the tea, have no fear! Cameo displays five videos on each account page so prospective purchasers can get a taste of what’s to come. If you visit the Reviews section and scroll back in time, you can watch Ferrigno Jr.’s older videos as well. His Cameos are brimming with personality, positivity, and gratitude, and with a five-star rating from 52 reviews, it’s clear fans are pleased with his engagement.

“Thank you so much for answering all my questions and just being open and honest,” one Cameo recipient wrote. “You always put a smile on my face. Thank you for loving Tevan as much as we all do,” another commented.

Naturally, Ferrigno Jr. has his limits and can’t use Cameo to air top secret 9-1-1 details ahead of time, but as he says, “What’s the purpose of having these plot lines and having this wonderful story being told and unfurled before you if you’re gonna know the answers in advance?”

As the actor continues to use the platform to connect with fans on a more personal level, a common thread appears in his Cameos: his love of Tommy Kinnard.

“I am just so honored and privileged that I’ve been given the opportunity to play a role like Tommy, who has evolved. It means so much to know that what I’m doing is working to some degree,” Ferrigno Jr. said in a Cameo.

New episodes of 9-1-1 premiere weekly at 8:00 p.m. on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu.