Nickelodeon's 1998 Big Help (1998) Teen Beat Magazine

Jonathan Taylor Thomas attends Nickelodeon's 1998 Big Help in Los Angeles, California, on September 6, 1998.

Featured in Teen Beat Magazine.

 

"Nickelodeon's Third Annual Big Help-A-Thon" ALL-STARS Magazine (1997)

Teen Stars Turn Up To Support Nickelodeon’s Third Annual Big Help-A-Thon!

This year’s Big Help-A-Thon was held on September 29, 1997 at the newly opened  Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and lots of your fave celebs turned out for the event. Part of Nickelodeon’s The Big Help campaign to connect kids to their communities through volunteerism, The Big Help-A-Thon encourages kids to pledge their time to volunteer in their communities. Going strong for a third straight year, the eight-hour event featured special programming, live entertainment, segments from remote sites across the country that focus on volunteer activities and special appearances by top celebrities from music, sports, movies and television. Spokespeople for The Big Help are Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Larisa Oleynik and host Mike O’Malley and special guest stars included Andrew Keegan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Clueless’ Donald Adeosun Faison and Stacey Dash, musical group All-4-One and lots of others. ALL-STARS was there to catch all the music, special activities and carnival attractions of the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park—and to capture it all for you on film! This year, a total of eight and a half million calls were garnered from kids nationwide who pledged a record setting 92.5 million volunteer hours of their time. For everyone who participated in this year’s Big Help-A-Thon—way to go!

"Jonathan's Newsworthy Viewings" BOP Magazine (1993)

Jonathan’s Newsworthy Viewings 

Like many people, Jonathan Taylor Thomas often takes to the tube after a long day. He watches TV to unwind after work on Home Improvement, soccer practice and a soon-to-be-seventh grader’s share of schoolwork. We weren’t surprised when Jonathan told us he tunes into sitcoms to relax (Martin is one of his faves).

But what did surprise us was finding out that unlike most 12-year-olds, Jonathan often remote-controls himself over to less-than-laugh-inducing programs. Before his bedtime, he says, “I watch CNN and C-SPAN every night for an hour.”

You read that right: CNN, the 24-hour cable news channel, and C-SPAN, the cable channel that broadcasts the daily doings of our Congress in Washington, D.C. A whole hour’s worth of news—no wonder you snooze, you just might be tempted to respond. “Well, half an hour, or whatever,” Jonathan notes. “You know, just before I go to bed. I just try to keep up with the world’s events.”

We think it’s amazingly cool that Jonathan would forego the sillier shows for a dose of reality. In fact, if everybody followed his lead, the world would be a better place. But why the religious viewing of news every single night?

“Just to see what comes on,” he says. “Because sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of the morning, I miss the newspaper.”

Teen Magazine (September 1998)

Hottest tv babe (comedy series): Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Vote JTT for President! Really! 

The guy has genuine political aspirations lurking behind his acting talents. “I wouldn’t mind going into politics if I could do it with dignity,” he says. “It’s one way of making a difference.”

For now, Jonathan continues to wow TV fans as Home Improvement’s sarcastic Randy Taylor. He’ll also add another big-screen notch to his career belt with the upcoming holiday flick I’ll Be Home for Christmas—and his role in the romantic comedy is a welcome change. “I’m at the point now where I need to take some steps forward,” he says.

His personal life takes a major leap forward this month, since he’s turning 17, but the party will probably be a played-down affair. JTT may have grown up in showbiz, but its definitely not all glitz and glamour for this low-key cutie. “If you could be a celebrity without being a ‘celebrity,’ that would be me,” he says. “I don’t like all that attention.”

Not that he gets much of a chance to enjoy the perks of fame. He spends his precious little free time watching C-SPAN and tooling around in his sport-utility vehicle. But mostly his life’s about work. When he’s not busy doing Home Improvement or movies, he’s studying—and earning straight As! No wonder Jonathan’s making college plans (he’s thinking Northwestern or Yale).

If he does go into politics, Jonathan knows real leadership means more than a killer smile. “Actors and athletes are fine, but kids need to see who the real heroes are.” 

— Michelle Sullivan

(Photo: George Large/Outline)

"JTT In The Adventures Of Pinocchio" (1996) BOP Magazine

"The Adventures of Pinocchio" (1996) featured in BOP Magazine.

 

8 Simple Rules "Opposites Attract: Part 3: Night of the Locust" (February 24, 2004)

Screencaps from the ABC sitcom “8 Simple Rules” (2002-2005) from S2E13.

Bridget Hennessy (Kaley Cuoco) & Jeremy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).

“Opposites Attract: Part 3: Night of the Locust”

Directed by James Widdoes

Written by Tracy Gamble, Bill Callahan, & Bill Daly

Season 2, Episode 15

Airdate: February 24, 2004

Rating: TV-PG

Synopsis:

Rory has started a blog centering on school rumors and C.J. starts helping him. Bridget tries to get Jeremy to go to the dance. The PTA, of which Cate belongs to, outlaws "suggestive" dancing, and Kerry decides to rebel. And Damian returns.

(ABC/2004)

8 Simple Rules "Opposites Attract: Part 2" (February 17, 2004)

Screencaps from the ABC sitcom “8 Simple Rules” (2002-2005) from S2E14.

Bridget Hennessy (Kaley Cuoco) & Jeremy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).

“Opposites Attract: Part 2”

Directed by James Widdoes

Written by Tracy Gamble, Paul F. Ciancarelli, & David S. SiPietro

Season 2, Episode 14

Airdate: February 17, 2004

Rating: TV-PG

Synopsis: 

C.J.’s van burns down so he has to share a room with Gramps. Bridget needs no more tutoring, but wants to "win" Jeremy, so she enlists Kerry to take her go to the geek academic party Jeremy is going to. But does Bridget interest Jeremy?

(ABC/2004)

8 Simple Rules "Opposites Attract: Part 1" (February 10, 2004)

Screencaps from the ABC sitcom “8 Simple Rules” (2002-2005) from S2E13.

Bridget Hennessy (Kaley Cuoco) & Jeremy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).

“Opposites Attract: Part 1” 

Directed by James Widdoes

Written by Tracy Gamble & Gayle Abrams

Season 2, Episode 13 

Airdate: February 10, 2004

Rating: TV-PG

Synopsis:

Bridget gets assigned as a geek's lab partner, hires him as a tutor and finds herself oddly attracted to this Jeremy when Dylan gets sick. It's Kerry and Kyle's first Valentine's Day together. Rory has trouble figuring out a gift for Missy.

(ABC/2004)