My interview with Cameron Mathison...

I did a joint interview with Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd Wednesday afternoon to talk about their co-hosting the Daytime Emmys Awards on June 20 and they were on fire - talking over each other and making making me and themselves laugh.

Sherri is all jokes and Cameron is full of energy. Since this formidable pair are just too much for one column, I'll focus on him first and write about Sherri next week.

Cameron, 38, has played Ryan Lavery on 'All My Children' for nearly 10 years and has long been one of the most popular actors on daytime television. He just roles with each storyline, including his current one which has his character suffering from amnesia.

"I love my job and I love my life here on the show," he said. "This place has become a second home and a second family. It would take something pretty astounding to get me to leave 'All My Children.'"

Sherri suddenly interjected with her own ideas of what kind of roles Cameron should take away from the show: "I'd like to see you as a houseboy on 'Desperate Housewives' roaming around the bushes or as a patient on 'Grey's Anatomy,' naked."

Those Daytime Emmys are gonna be scandalous!

Cameron is used to being objectified though, especially after his successful stint last fall on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." when he waltzed and fox-trotted his way to a fifth-place finish. He flew cross-country regularly to do "Dancing" in Los Angeles and "Children" in New York and gained more fans than ever.

"I do have a lot of energy, I've worked hard and come a long way," he said. "These opportunities come up and I feel a little pressure to take advantage of them while I can."
Cameron's charisma and good looks have landed him various hosting gigs including the new show "Your Place or Mine" which premieres Sunday on the TLC channel.

"It was really strange to go from ignoring the camera to looking into them," he said. "For me, it is something that has become so comfortable and exciting in my life."

Each week on "Place," two families compete for a chance to win brand-new furnished rooms for their homes, or for the ability to steal rooms from their competitors.
"It's a cross between a game show and a reality show," said Cameron. "I've never hosted this kind of show before. It's a lot of information, the game is complicated, and I've got someone talking in my ear. It's a really great challenge. It keeps me sharp."

Cameron is famous for his lean but muscular physique. So much so that it was big news when tabloid photos were snapped of him carrying a couple of calorie-laden donuts in his hand.

"I saw that picture!" he said, laughing. "I work out and I try to stay active and fit so I can enjoy certain foods that I like to eat. I try to keep everything in moderation. I used to be insane about it. By the way, when I grabbed those donuts, I had just finished working out."