Mario Lopez Gets Down and Busy with America's Best Dance Crew

Try as you may, you can't avoid Mario Lopez on TV these days. The one-time Dancing with the Stars runner-up tells TVGuide.com about the new season of America's Best Dance Crew (Thursdays, 10 pm/ET on MTV), why he's causing trouble on Nip/Tuck, and his messages for his recently engaged ex-girlfriend, Karina Smirnoff, and that other guy, Ryan Seacrest.

TVGuide.com: MTV's teasing that this is the "most physically demanding season yet." What can we expect on Dance Crew this season?
Mario Lopez: Oh, I'm fired up about this season! I think it's gonna be the best season yet. I think we have crews with amazing, different kinds of styles and great backstories and just forms of dancing we've never seen before — everything from clogging to contortionism to girl breakdancers. I like it. ... [First season winner] JabbaWockeeZ is on the first episode. [Second season winner] SuperCr3w wasn't there for the first, but I'm sure we'll see them later on.
TVGuide.com: What do you think is more difficult? Dance Crew or Dancing with the Stars?
Lopez: Um, I think they're totally different. Totally different animal. One's more of a team effort and the other one is more of an individual effort. These groups of dancers have danced before as opposed to some of the people who've never been on the dance floor in their lives.
TVGuide.com: You stopped by DWTS last year with A Chorus Line. Are you gonna pop by next season?
Lopez: I don't have anything planned at the moment. That was to do a special guest appearance for the 100th episode, and I did that. I was promoting my Broadway play and it went well and I was happy to be there. We'll see.
TVGuide.com: You have two shows on MTV [Dance Crew and Top Pop Group] now. Are you gonna take over the channel soon?
Lopez: I'm gonna take over the world! [Laughs] No, I'm kidding!
TVGuide.com: Well, it seems like you're going to!
Lopez: Aww, that's sweet. Thanks. No, but I'm having a lot of fun with Extra, with MTV, with Nip/Tuck, my book that's out, my children's book that's [coming out] next. Really excited about everything. We're still waiting to see on Top Pop Group [coming back next season]. Right now, it's all about Dance Crew.
TVGuide.com: Speaking of Nip/Tuck, we saw you last week. Are you coming back?
Lopez: I am gonna come back. I'm reprising my doctor role, and I don't want to give too much away, but I move to L.A. and I'm sort of Christian's nemesis. [Laughs] You have to wait and see! I'm sworn to secrecy! I'll say I'm doing for sure four episodes. I'm waiting to see if there's more.
TVGuide.com: You're everywhere these days. How do you do it? Don't you ever get tired?
Lopez: No, I'm like the Energizer Bunny. I just keep going! [Laughs] No, once in a while I get tired, but I just shut down and get right back into it. I'm everywhere and I love it! I feel very fortunate and blessed to be busy. I don't take it for granted. I just continue working hard. It throws a monkey wrench in my social life! [Laughs] I really don't have one, but other than that, it's all good.
TVGuide.com: Oh, c'mon! So you're still single, you're saying?
Lopez: Well, other than my projects, I am single! [Laughs] But yeah, I wouldn't date very well now. I just don't have time. I don't really have time to eat or squeeze in a workout here and there. My next commitment is definitely gonna be a dog! Because I wanna get a dog! That's gonna be my next solid commitment.
TVGuide.com: Have you talked to Karina since her engagement?
Lopez: I have not spoken with her. But congratulations! [Laughs]
TVGuide.com: I'm sure you've been asked this before, but it needs to be revisited now: Who's busier — you or Ryan Seacrest?
Lopez: We joke about it all the time because he's a good friend of mine for a long time. But I tell him I should deserve extra credit because he's hosting and producing. I'm hosting, producing, acting, dancing, writing — so I have more hats! I'm more varied!
TVGuide.com: Well, he did have a cameo in Knocked Up.
Lopez: That doesn't count! [Laughs] He's playing himself!