We first got to know her as Ellens best bud on the groundbreaking show Ellen. We adored her as a blackjack dealer/investigator on Wild Card (on Lifetime television for women and gay men). And we cant wait to love to hate her as Lynettes (Felicity Huffman) new boss from hell on Desperate Housewives! I am the new bitch in town! she coos. We got a chance to chat with the actress and longtime friend of the gays.
So how did you land your Desperate gig?
It was like 10 oclock at night and they said they wanted me there on Desperate Housewives tomorrow morning and I said, OK, why? Whats happening? And I went down there and, by the end of the day, I was part of the show. Its wonderful.
From Ellen to Desperate Housewivesone gay fave to another!
Im gay friendly. [Laughs] I say that jokingly, but actually its true. I surround myself with people that I love and they happen to be gay, most of them.
And you performed at the Village at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
I did. I did my one-woman show there when I was preggers and donated all the money back to the Center. Im Better Midler!
A lot has changed for you since Ellen. For one, you have a daughter!
My daughter is 4 years old and she is ridiculousridiculous. She told me when I left, Au revoir, mommy. Au revoir. I was likeridiculous.
Did you watch Desperate Housewives before?
I had a bit, but its really difficult for me to watch TV at all with a 4-year-old, and I was putting a music thing togetherthen I was in Toronto shooting a show for two yearsI didnt watch TV at all. But now Ive seen a bunch of them, so now I know where Ill fit in.
How bitchy can you be?
You know I am going to reach way down inside me and find my inner C-word. Im going to torture [Lynette].
Now, were you nervous at all going into a show where the cast had already gelled?
Nothing really makes me nervous except flying.
Do you talk to anyone from the Ellen days at all, still?
I do. Im in touch with Ellen and I run into Jeremy [Piven] and Clea [Lewis] every now and again. And Dave Higgins and I just recently did the commentary for the Season 2 DVD. So its really funny.
Do you remember feeling like you were on a landmark show when you were on it?
Absolutely. I mean, thats what I said recently to someone. They asked, What does it feel like to be a part of [Housewives]? I dont know why, but I didnt realize the enormity of the show just because I wasnt an avid fan. I didnt run to the TV to watch it just like everybody does. But when I was cast the publicity was crazy, and I thought, Wow, thats really wild. The only thing I can liken it to is being a part of Ellen because the press had a life of its own with that show, obviously for different reasons. But I am so proud to have been a part of that show. I mean we really changed television. I mean, we would not have Will & Grace if there werent an Ellen. And I know all the boys watch Desperate Housewives.
