Spano: TNT Romance Was A Blast To Make

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Actor Vincent Spano says he signed on to star in the new TNT romance, "The Engagement Ring," because the cast and script promised to be so much fun.

In the TV movie, set to air Monday night, the "Alive" and "Creator" star plays Tony, an Italian-American heir to a California vineyard, caught in the middle of a long-standing family feud.

Spano's "City of Hope" co-star Tony Lo Bianco plays his uncle in the movie, while "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress Patricia Heaton plays his already engaged love interest.

"Could you tell we had a good time making it?" Spano asked United Press International in a recent phone interview, adding it was Tony's "passion for life" that attracted him to the role.

"It was a blast. When you go to work every day, work with terrific people and have fun in a beautiful location like Vancouver Island, it's like a blessing."

Asked if he ever felt uncomfortable trying to woo Heaton away from David Hunt-- her on-screen fiancé, real-life husband and co-executive producer -- Spano replied with a laugh: "It's not like we had to do any love scenes, it was just kissing, but I remember David saying to me early on: 'It's fine. It's fine. Just no tongue.'"