EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Rick Springfield On Nudity, Ellen Joining Idol, And Dancing With The Stars

Even at 60, eighties icon Rick Springfield can still make our hearts race.

The Jessie’s Girl rocker and former General Hospital hottie is baring his backside in an upcoming episode of Showtime’s Californication in which plays a twisted version of himself.

The real-life Springfield is one hot commodity right now. He’s recording a rock album, writing a children's book and is penning his autobiography.

Springfield took time from his busy schedule to talk with RadarOnline exclusively about his upcoming nude scene, why American Idol “sorely needs” Ellen DeGeneres and the reason you’ll never see him on Dancing With the Stars.

Radar: Why were you interested in doing Californicaton?

Springfield: "I love the show. It was very much playing against type, so I was really interested in doing it. And there’s great writing on the show."

Radar: You have a nude scene. Can you tell me about that?

Springfield: "Without giving anything away - it’s pretty full on. I think it involves group sex. That’s all I can say."

Radar: Full on. Do you mean full frontal?

Springfield: "It’s not full frontal. I am naked, but it’s not full frontal."

Radar: Were you nervous about performing nude?

Springfield: "I’m fine with it. It was definitely part of the story, so it’s not an issue for me. It just makes it funnier."

Radar: How did you prepare for the nude scene?

Springfield: "It’s just like acting without your clothes. The fact that you’re naked doesn’t have any bearing on how you would prepare as an actor. Hopefully, you’re in shape and you don’t embarrass anybody."

Radar: I understand you play a version of yourself on the show. How is the character different from the real Rick Springfield?

Springfield: "He’s very much a hedonist. I certainly, maybe, have done some things like this in the early days. But he doesn’t treat people very well and he’s very up himself and does way more drugs than I ever did."

Radar: I hear you’re doing Ellen DeGeneres’ show at the end of the month. What do you think about her new gig as a judge on American Idol?

Springfield: "I think she’s probably as good as any of them. Plus she’ll add a bit of humor, which the show sorely needs."

Radar: Would you consider appearing on American Idol?

Springfield: "Yeah. It’s a huge show. With musicians doing these hideous reality shows just to get out there – to get notoriety and some TV – I’d certainly do something (and) American Idol would within the scope of reality."

Radar: What about Dancing With the Stars?

Springfield: "Definitely not! I’m a musician, not a dancer. I’ll play a dancer in a movie or on TV, but I won’t get up there as me and do some half-assed moves."

RadarOnline: Would you consider returning to General Hospital?

Springfield: "I did that about a year ago for about 18 months. It certainly was fun revisiting the character, but I’m looking to do more stuff like Californication."

Radar: At 60, you’re still a sex symbol. What do you think about that?

Springfield: "It’s not real to me. I can’t relate to that. I’m in it because I like to play music, I like to write music and I love to cool acting parts with great writing. That’s what I focus on. Whatever’s pasted on top of that doesn’t really have anything to do with me."