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'Americans' star Matthew Rhys bonds with Al Roker over 'A-Team' passion

As a Welsh actor playing a Soviet KGB spy who is pretending to be a U.S. citizen in the spy drama "The Americans," Matthew Rhys has his work cut out for him. The secret to his American tough-guy accent? Watching a lot of TV. You could say the actor's dialect training started in childhood. "Predominantly the big (TV show) for me was 'Starsky & Hutch,' but also the 'A-Team,'" Rhys explained during

As a Welsh actor playing a Soviet KGB spy who is pretending to be a U.S. citizen in the spy drama "The Americans," Matthew Rhys has his work cut out for him. The secret to his American tough-guy accent? Watching a lot of TV. 

You could say the actor's dialect training started in childhood. "Predominantly the big (TV show) for me was 'Starsky & Hutch,' but also the 'A-Team,'" Rhys explained during a TODAY visit Wednesday. That led Al Roker, a legendary "A-Team" and Mr. T fan, to perk up and turn to him in excitement.

Al Roker on TODAY's 2013 Halloween show as B.A. Baracus, who was portrayed by Mr. T in \"The A-Team.\"
Al Roker on TODAY's 2013 Halloween show as B.A. Baracus, who was portrayed by Mr. T in \"The A-Team.\"Charles Sykes / Today

"Can you still ... repeat the monologue from the beginning?" Rhys asked Roker.

Without further preamble, the pair recited the opening lines of the classic NBC series in unison:

"In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them ... maybe you can hire the A-Team."

The pair high-fived one another and left the other TODAY hosts stunned.

"You have met your match, Al!" laughed Natalie Morales. "A match made in heaven!"

Naturally, Roker and Rhys posted a picture together shortly after.

Matthew+Rhys+of+FX's+The+Americans+knows+the+opening+words+to+the+A-Team+by+heart.+Love+him+pic.twitter.com/6E7W0H5Ryb

—+Al+Roker+(@alroker)+April+30,+2014+

"The Americans," now in its second season, can be found on FX Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Of course, if you have a problem finding it, and no one else can help, maybe you can hire the A-Team!