Desperate Housewife

When many gay people last saw Marcia Cross, she was blowing up apartment complexes and the like on Melrose Place. We are pleased to report that after finishing an arc on the family drama Everwood, Cross is returning to her crazy person roots, albeit with a new character and a new neighborhood. As Bree Van De Kamp on Desperate Housewives (ABC Sundays), Cross takes type A to a whole new level as a mother whose pursuit of perfection (she reupholsters her own furniture and makes Osso Buco for your average family meal) has alienated her from her familyand reality. We gabbed with the fab actress recently and heres what she had to say. I like Everwood, but I thought for an actress like you, who has played some really wild roles, it was a little boring. I love Everwood. It was my favorite character I have ever played. It was the most like me that I have ever played. Shes boring. Im boring. It is what it is, but I was really proud of this work. So what was it about Bree that made you want to do a complete 180? I was really scared of this character. Its a really hard part to play. Shes the most broad, and yet she has to be deeply rooted at the same time. Whats the atmosphere like working surrounded by gay men? Mark [Cherry, creator] is a genius. And Michael [Edelstein, executive producer] is wonderful. I feel so lucky! You worked with [out executive producer] Greg Berlanti on Everwood and now Mark and Michael. Is there a difference at all working with gay men than there is working with other producers? Have I worked with a straight man? [Laughs] I dont know! Once Kimberly went psycho on Melrose, it seemed every gay man in America fell in love with her. Did you get a lot of that? Oh, yeah. I love it! Are you kidding? Its great. I think in my own head Im a little on the fringe. So Im sure unconsciously theres a connection, which is great. Is doing a drama where you get to explore a character in-depth more fulfilling than doing a sitcom? You know what? I dont have sitcom energy. I dont want to do a sitcom. My natural energy level is so dark. I think sitcom talent is really unique. I dont like that Yuk, yuk, yuk thing. I hate it. But I like watching them! Im too gray and weird and off.