The TV Chick

Men of a Certain Age centers around a group of friends who have known each other for 30 years, and their lives, relationships and ups and downs. TNT won me over with The Closer several years ago, and has since put out a lot of quality programming. Men of a Certain Age has a powerhouse cast, a very talented writing and creative staff in Romano and his team, and a unique concept. It’s a dark comedy, which is different for Romano, and all the actors in this show. I think it has a lot of potential, and was pleasantly surprised by the first few episodes. The characters are well developed and well acted, and I want to know more about their lives (which is a good thing right?)  I recently had a chance participate in a Q&A with all three stars of the show: Andre Braugher (Homicide: Life on the Street), Scott Bakula (Star Trek) and Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond). Here is what Scott Bakula (Terry) had to say about the show, TNT, and relating to the character.

What attracted you to the project?
Well, I thought the script was great when I got it and I loved this idea of how they had written these three men and their kind of history. And the humor of it I thought was fantastic and different and surprising. And then I just loved this character of Terry. I just thought he was so not like me and so kind of irreverent and happy go lucky and Peter Pan and one of the Lost Boys at the same time. I just thought he would be so much fun to play.

How are you able to relate to the character?
Well, I think the thing is we’re both – I’m a very physical person and he’s very much into his health and what he eats and working out and getting out in nature and all that stuff, which I certainly can identify with. And he’s a little bit of the thinker of the group in a funny way and I can relate to that a little bit. I mean he would like to go deeper in his life but he doesn’t really have any opportunity to do that. So that’s kind of where our similarities end because obviously I’m in a committed relationship with lots of kids and responsibilities and he’s the exact opposite of that.

This character seems not really your worst nightmare — but sort of stuck.
Yes. I don’t know that he’s my worst nightmare. I mean the reality is I have known – I have been in this business a long time. I have known a lot of actors and not everybody that I know has made it. And lots of people have branched off into other things and lots of them are happy doing that. I think what makes him kind of sad in a way at this point in his life is he hasn’t quite given up yet. So he’s still hanging on and I think that’s the hardest thing when we see people that we care about and they’re hanging on too long whether to a relationship or whether it’s to a dream or whatever it is. And you want to say it’s time to move on and this is something obviously only that person and certainly this character can come up with but yes. I mean I’ve been very fortunate in my life and in my career that I reached a certain point a few years ago. And I thought I think I’m going to be okay in this business and I should be able to make a living for the rest of my working days if I choose to. And not everybody can do that and we joke as actors that each job is the last job you’re ever going to get. But you reach – I’ve been doing it a while so I think I’m okay.

Now that you are involved in this show, will we see you on Chuck again?
It does not preclude me and they’re – we all love each other. So if they write it I will be there.

Do you have any memorable moments from the show?
Well, the most memorable thing about this really is just working in this kind of atmosphere with Ray and with Andre. And the three of us, we just get along really well. And Ray is constantly, constantly – he never does the same scene twice and he’s always coming up with a new joke, a new ad lib, a new this or he’s always got us on our toes.And I think that’s what sticks with me every day is you just have to be able to go with Ray because he’ll just branch off and start talking about you never know what he’s going to come out with. And that just is really – it’s a great feeling to be able to work that way in an improvisational way, which is really unusual for television.

Why do you think people should take the time to tune into the show?
Well, I think that there’s really nothing like it on television, three men our age talking about life without a franchise, without it being cops or doctors. We’re not talking over a body on a table; we’re at a diner talking about what’s going to happen with somebody’s dad or their mortgage or their kids or with Ray, talking about the size of his nose. I mean it’s a great slice of life and again it’s from this male perspective. So I’m hoping that people are going to find that interesting and intriguing. And then when they get there they’re going to find a show that’s very funny and also very, very moving.

What is it like being part of TNT now that it has such powerhouse dramas?
Well, I have to say that also played a great part in me wanting to be on this show is because I have so admired what TNT has been building and creating and their place in the market has been really expanding and so visible. And most importantly I like creatively what they’re doing. So to have an opportunity to work with them, they’re very hot on the show. They love it and to be a part – my gosh. When I was at the Up Fronts last Spring, the TNT Up Front I mean you looked around the room and it was just phenomenal who they have put together not just in front of the camera but creatively on the other side of the camera. It’s quite an impressive group and it was really great to be there.

You’ve done a lot of guest spots, but what’s it like to be back on a series?
Well, it’s great. It’s probably the easiest job I’ve had in terms of a regular because most of the other stuff has just been – I’ve been on the set almost every day and very physical work and very long hours. And this, because there are three of us we kind of split the show up into thirds and I may work four out of seven days and not always a full day and have a few days off here and there. So for me it’s kind of – it feels very sinful almost to be coming to work and getting paid and having as much fun and not being dead at the end of every day.

Can you talk a little bit about the writing style of Ray and Mike Royce?
Well, first of all they have got these three – we’re not three characters that live together, which it’s not old friends. So there is – you have to find a way to have these guys have their own lives and then bring them together to have conversations about their lives or share events. And so they might do a thing where we’re at a fundraiser at somebody’s school and I’m the “celebrity” – I use that in quotes but the auctioneer kind of thing because I’m the actor kind of guy. So that puts me at that event, which also then gives me the history of having slept with one teacher the last year and looking for her that night again to sleep with her this year. And they’re having to bring – Ray’s ex-wife is bringing the new guy, which is the name of the episode. So there are all these overlaps so the stories are very intricate and I think well worked out and within that because it’s Ray, there is this kind of looseness about when the three of us are together that I think helps the feeling that we have been buddies. People say well, what did you guys do to kind of develop this camaraderie or this chemistry or – and it’s really always been on the page that just the way they behave together and how they talk to each other and because we have the freedom to kind of go off script it just makes it feel very extemporaneous and very real. And I think that has contributed to this notion of kind of when you think of Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and myself you don’t necessarily go those guys must have all been buddies. We’re not – we’re a little bit of an odd grouping but it seems to work. And of course the jury is out on that. We’ll find out when the show hits the air.

Do you have anything you’d like to say to any of your fans, both old and new?
Well, what I always – I’m so grateful. Thank you certainly for being a fan and for being a fan of that show. It’s a show I’m really proud of and the sci-fi fan is such a loyal base. And I’ve been so lucky to have done some great projects in that genre and have this loyal group that – there is a certain responsibility, there’s an intelligence, there is a commitment and there is – you really feel a relationship with your fans and especially the sci-fi fans. And I’m proud to be a part of that and I’m grateful that everybody – we just celebrated 20 years since Quantum Leap premiered just last March. And it was kind of a great feeling. And there are so many new fans coming. I’m meeting new kids now who are watching it with their parents or that are just finding the show for the first time because of cable. And it’s a great history to be a part of. And certainly the Star Trek world is – that will never be repeated again and when we started it was 35 years celebration since it had first aired on TV. And it’s great to be a part of that tradition.

Talking about sci-fi, what kind of experiences have you had on the convention circuit?
I have done very little really. I haven’t had a lot of opportunities but the few times I have done it I have just had a really, really great time. I most recently did – I was in London over the summer and I dropped in over there to one. And it’s really again, as I was just saying, the fan base is so loyal and so intent on the work and there is a certain respect that goes back and forth there and a certain obligation I have always felt from us the actors and the writers who are creating these worlds that we have a lot to live up to. And when you do that and you’re successful there comes this following. So it’s really very rich. It’s always a little exotic and there is always – I’m never quite sure who will show up and who will be dressed like what. But it’s always been in the best spirit of it and I have only had good experiences with the fans and I’m grateful for that.

Are there a higher percentage of Quantum Leap fans than Enterprise fans that you have found?
I would say slightly, slightly. But I think the difference is that the Quantum Leap fans have been there for a lot longer, a lot more years. And I’m finding that they kind of – I don’t know. It’s ironic but I’m finding so many people are discovering Enterprise now and I’m not sure why that was, why they weren’t there when we were on the air. But I can’t tell you how many people are just – I just got the DVD set, I’m just watching it for the first time on – there’s a marathon on such and such. And I don’t know how we missed the boat with a lot of people but I’m pleasantly surprised with how many Enterprise fans there are out there and the reception that I do get at the conventions.

Speaking of sci-fi, you have mainly played science fiction type roles. Has playing Terry been a challenge for you?
Yes. He’s a little bit of a challenge because he’s just not like me. So fortunately I have a few friends who are a lot like him or are almost exactly like him. So I have been able to kind of pull on their life experiences and my conversations with them and talk with them about what’s really going on for them at this point in their lives, haven’t been married, don’t have families, still out there dating and calling me and saying I don’t get it. What’s going on with this girl and I’m saying she’s 22, that’s what’s going on with this girl. And so we have – I have fortunately been able to kind of draw from other friends of mine that are this guy. But he’s a challenge but he’s also a blast to play. There’s nothing – I had so much fun just being that actor at an audition and having the audition going poorly. I mean just because I have been there and I know what that feels like and I think that that’s great. So the acting side of it, whenever I get a chance to do it, really it’s fun. It’s like a play within a play kind of, the actor playing the actor. And it really is fun.

Do you have a group of friends like Terry does on the show?
Yes I do. I don’t have – I was telling somebody earlier today that ironically my college buddies that I went to school with – I only went to college for two years and then I moved to New York. But I don’t keep in contact with them. We don’t live in the same town but I think about them and I think about what we did all the time. And there is something about the bonding that goes on when you’re away from home for the first time and you’re living with other guys. That kind of lasts for a long time. And so I don’t – I have friends that I go back with. Probably my oldest friend is buddies from the theater but he’s – we have known each other for like 28 years. But it’s just different when you have that college experience. So I don’t really have that, no.

Men of a Certain Age premieres tonight at 10 pm on TNT. Be sure to tune in!

When I first received the screener to Men of a Certain Age, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I wasn’t a fan of Everybody Loves Raymond, but Ray Romano is clearly very talented. Romano and his creative team decided to do a darker comedy this time. Men of a Certain Age centers around a group of friends who have known each other for 30 years, and their lives, relationships and ups and downs. I was pleasantly surprised by the first few episodes. It’s darker than I would have expected, but the plot intrigues me enough to tune in for more. It has incredibly strong leads with different backgrounds in Andre Braugher (who is known for Homicide: Life On The Street) and Scott Bakula (who is known for Star Trek), and of course the aforementioned Romano. I recently had a chance participate in a Q&A with all three stars of the show. Here is what Andre Braugher (Owen) had to say about the show, being in a comedy, and getting into his character’s mindset.

What brought you to this particular show? 
Well you know I was – it was suggested to me that Ray and Mike were doing a single camera show and that there might be a role that I would be interested in and so I read the pilot script and thought it was terrific and thought that all of things that made “Everybody Loves Raymond” were still intact – “Everybody Loves Raymond” a hit were still intact you know what I mean? The carefully observed human comedy is there and I really dug this character and I dug the fact that you know he’s struggling for competence and not succeeding.  And then I said to myself I really want to be a part of this.  I mean there’s always you know I’ve always been interested in new challenges, but I’ve also always been interested in being an excellent comedian. And it takes really studying with a master you know to get a part of that and I so I felt like you know I got that with Ray.  I wanted to be a part of this show from the very beginning.  You know people were skeptical that you know either I was right or that I would be interested but from the very beginning I knew that I was both right and interested and that this thing will work out. And so it’s only a matter of working hard to convince people you know to let them know that this is going to work out for all of us.

You are known for your dramatic roles. Is being in a comedy a challenge?
Well you know it’s not all those things that I imagined you know when I first you know tried to wrap my head around comedy you know about timing and you know gags and which way do you look with your eyes and that sort of – I guess my new show it’s really about playing the emotional stakes of the scene for what’s there, you know what I mean?  Here’s a guy who wants to be very good. He wants to earn his father’s respect, you know what I mean?  But he’s falling short in every dimension, you know what I mean?  And absolutely love and adores and respects his father, but can’t get the kind of you know attention and respect that he wants, you know?  But I think I knew from the very beginning that it was about the – the fundamentally loving relationship was at the bottom of it. And that if I skipped over that, if I missed that, then I missed all the richness of the comedy, so the same thing that makes drama compelling is the same thing that makes comedy compelling which is to understand what the stakes are and to commit to them.

How do you personally relate to your character?
Well I mean in a lot of different ways.  I mean I’m involved in the same stuff that Owen is which is that you know I got two living parents and a bunch of wild boys at home and you know a wife and crazy co-workers and you know best friends and I love them all but they drive me absolutely up the wall, you know? And I think that’s the thing that everyone can relate to about these families is that, boy, they love each other to death but they’re driving each other absolutely crazy.  I mean Joe and Owen and Terry have known each other for 30 years and we give each other a lot of shit but – and we complain, you know what I mean?  But nobody ever changes, you know what I mean? We argue over the most ridiculous things but that’s how we relate and I think people can understand that and see that they’re quite truthful and well observed and consequently something that’s worth watching, you know what I’m saying?  This is true and these relationships have consequences, so I liked that about this show.

Do you have a group of friends like your character does?
Oh absolutely, guys that I’ve known since I was kid.  Yes.  We’re still tight, you know what I mean?  We pick right off where we left off you know.  We have the same complaints about the challenges that this stage of life has brought, you know?  We imagined you know that when we got to be this age we’d have it made but you know what that’s a fantasy, you know what I mean? We struggle at this age and we’re going to be struggling 20 years from now but that’s just life, period you know?  I find this show to be you know right on the mark in terms of what everybody’s trying to do and how frustrating it is and funny you know?  I mean we’re cry about it on Monday but we’re laughing about it on Friday and it’s just you know that’s how life is.  It’s good in that way.

What’s it like getting into your character’s mindset?
You know it’s not so different.  I mean all of these characters are struggling for competency you know and it’s true when you think about Ben Gideon and Frank Pembleton, I mean they’re hyper confident, without a doubt. But things are falling apart in other realms you know?  I think what (forms) all these characters is that everybody wants to have it all, you know what I mean?  And the farther we get in life is we realize you can’t have it all but you know that doesn’t stop us from struggling for it you know? So Owen is looking for professional competence, you know what I mean?  And he’s looking for respect, you know what I mean?  And he’s falling short of that sort of stuff, buy you know he’s obviously at loving relationships in every direction. I mean you know he’s got two best friends and you got to consider that to be the wealth of a lifetime to have two close friends in the course of a lifetime (that you’re) still seeing, you know what I mean?  A loving wife and healthy kids and – you know what I mean?  An overbearing father and all that sort of stuff and crazy co-workers, but that’s the way it goes. So I have to say I think all of these guys are basically struggling for the same thing, you know what I mean, which is to have it all.  And it wasn’t difficult to get into the mindset at all, you know what I mean?  What Mike Royce and Ray Romano had created here I think is a very specific kind of group of truthful relationships, and so consequently it’s easy to play and pretty straightforward.

And he’s going to get a win at some point?
Yes.  He’s going to sell more cars, you know what I mean?  He’s going to be forced to become a more competent car salesman, but you know it’s not a – there’s not a bed of roses, you know what I’m saying? So you know what I mean, I got a wife who knows it all, you know what I’m saying?  And a father who’s proven that he can do in one lifetime twice as much as I failed to do once you know what I’m saying?  And that’s a source of frustration, but you know there’s no doubt that I love all of these people you know what I mean?  And we’re going to make it work out. I mean that’s the thing about families.  I mean they’re – if we didn’t love them to death, we wouldn’t put up with that stuff you know.  We wouldn’t put up with that craziness.  And so that’s what it’s all about.

Be sure to tune in on Monday at 10 pm on TNT for the series premiere of Men of a Certain Age. TNT has some quality programming (see: The Closer), and I have hopes that this series will fit right in. Also, look out on Monday for my interviews with Scott Bakula and Ray Romano!

Sorry that this post is very delayed. I was attending a Glee event! Amber Riley, Cory Monteith, and Mark Salling were all at Bryant Park doing “Carol-Oke” raising awareness for Toys for Tots. Sadly, they didn’t sing any carols, but I did get the chance to interview all three of them! I have some exciting Glee scoop and info including what Amber wants to sing on Glee, what Cory wants to see from his character, and what Mark’s most challenging part of filming is…but I’ll post all of that next week for the Fall Finale!

But anyway, let’s talk last night’s episode of Glee! The episode, titled Mattress, centered around the Glee Club preparing for sectionals, and their photo in the yearbook. In previous years, their photo has been defaced, and this year it looked like Glee was not going to get a picture after all. The Club seems more than okay with this (Kurt points out some hilarious de-facings). But Mr. Schue decides that Glee should have a photo, and has to fight Figgins and Sue. The Glee club settles on a compromise, and elects Rachel to be the “captain” and represent the club in the yearbook. Rachel gets Finn to agree to be her co-captain, but after being hassled by the football team Finn doesn’t show up. During Rachel’s photo session, she learns that the photographer is going to direct and cast a local commercial. She decides that this would be a great way for the Glee club to look cool (and earn some yearbook/street cred) and they shoot a music video for the commercial. They sing “Jump,” by Van Halen while flipping and jumping on the mattresses. I really loved this musical number. It’s great to see them just having fun and being themselves–no drama or slushees. Meanwhile, Quinn is determined to get back on the Cheerio squad (and into the yearbook photo), and she ends up saving the day. After the commercial, the mattress store sends all the kids mattresses. Mr. Schue ends up sleeping on one (more on that later), thereby disqualifying the Glee Club from sectionals because they accepted a gift (and forfeited their amateur status). Quinn goes to Sue (uniform and baby bump and all) and threatens to tell Principal Figgins about all the gifts all the Cheerios received. She insists that Glee got their own full page picture (one of the Cheerios pages), free of charge. After she gets what she wants, she declares she doesn’t want to be on Cheerios anyway. I really enjoyed Quinn sticking up for herself. She is turning into such a wonderful, well-developed character.

However, the most memorable storyline of this episode wasn’t the whole yearbook fiasco. This episode was Jessalyn Gilsig’s (Terri Schuester) chance to shine. I interviewed her last month, and she was delightful. I was thrilled to see her get her big scene, even if it was very upsetting to watch. Mr. Schuester, while looking for his pocket squares, stumbles upon one of Terri’s baby pads (what she has been using to make her look pregnant). He asks her what it is and discovers by looking for himself that Terri isn’t actually pregnant. I could see the despair in both Will and Terri’s eyes, and it was such a poignant moment. Terri was vulnerable, scared and unsure, and you could say the same about Will. He was duped, but he still loves Terri. She did what she had to in order to hold onto her relationship, but this moment had to come. It wouldn’t be Glee (or realistic) if Quinn just handed her baby over to Terri and everything worked out fine. Moments like these are what keeps Glee grounded. Will didn’t break out into song (and sadly neither did Terri–Jessalyn, we’ll get you your solo!) or do anything cliched. It was just a real moment, full of real emotions. It was brilliant acting on the part of Jessalyn Gilsig and Matthew Morrison. And while I was always sort of rooting for Emma and Will all along, I don’t think Terri and Will are over. Many bloggers and critics alike had expressed that they didn’t like or find the need for Terri’s character. I feel quite differently. I thought this was one of the best moments from the show so far this season, because it was so honest and adds a lot to Will’s character. If he had a perfect home life, he wouldn’t be as interesting or unique of a character.

And I have said this much without talking much about the music. “Smile” by Lily Allen is such a wonderful song, and I was so glad to hear Lea Michele and Cory Monteith sing it. Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” is also great (and another tear inducing number), that ended the show quite nicely. Schuester said because he was the only one who accepted a gift (by sleeping on one of the mattresses because of his home troubles), he won’t go to sectionals so the Glee Club can still compete. I was sad there weren’t more musical numbers, but I hear that next week’s show more than makes up for it. I don’t even want to think about the fact that next week is the last episode until April, so I’ll just continue to appreciate Glee for all it is. I would have to disagree with the assertion that it has become over-rated. I love it, and I’m not afraid to say it. Every episode can’t be “Wheels” or full of Kurt dancing to Beyonce, but every episode has its great moments, and its even greater musical numbers.

Quotes of the Episode:

“While they were in there, I told ‘em to go ahead and yank out those tear ducts. Wasn’t usin’ ‘em.” -Sue Sylvester

“Aside from nudity and the exploitation of animals, I’ll pretty much do anything to break into the business.” -Rachel

And because I know you want to listen to it over and over, here is Smile (Charlie Chaplin version):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZgHBqnxmyo]

I have written at length about my love for Glee (see my 1,000+ word reviews every week). It has an outstanding cast, an even more outstanding creator, and it is full of the most wonderful show-stopping musical numbers. It not only has moments to laugh (and cry), but it also has a lot of layers, depth and heart. One of the things I love most about the show, is that everyone has their moment to shine. Everyone gets songs, solos, and showdowns. I recently had the chance to chat with Jayma Mays, who plays Emma Pillsbury. We talked about her character, which relationship she is rooting for, her musical number, and whether we might see her sing again.

What originally drew you to the role of Emma?
Everything, really. Actually, the second I got the sides. I got the sides just for that character before I got the whole script. And just from the sides alone in the pilot, I could tell she was such a well developed character. And there was so much going on with her just from those few sheets of paper that I had kind of describing who she was. I knew immediately that there was a lot that was going to be going on with her. And I think that’s hard to find sometimes with roles for women. There’s maybe not so many layers to them, always. And I just felt from the get go that there was so much going on. And I also knew that Ryan Murphy was involved. I knew that was exciting to me, too. As soon as I heard that, I knew that there would be something good on the page. So I was immediately drawn to it.

Emma is a very interesting character with many layers. She’s very quirky as well. Are you anything like her?
(laughs) Well, (laughs), I’m not obsessive about germs.

I would think not.
I’m not, thank goodness. Although I have to say it, after the first few weeks, after we got picked up and we started filming the first few episodes, I kind of started getting that feeling of needing to wash my hands all the time. And I started keeping anti-bacterial stuff in my purse, just because you start thinking about that stuff more, just naturally, because they’re kinda shoving it in your face at work all the time. I’m not wearing rubber gloves at home, but I definitely keep a little Purell in my pocketbook now.

I think that’s pretty normal. (laughs)
(laughs) Yeah, it makes me feel like a mom. I think moms do that a lot, don’t they?

I think so. I think you’re probably right.
They always have Purell with them, like squirting it on their children and stuff.

Well, at least their children aren’t spreading the germs!
That’s right! When I have kids, they’ll be the cleanest children in Los Angeles.

Good, that’s good to hear! (laughs) And there’s been a ton of different reactions to your character. What do you think of her? She might be very quirky, but she’s a romantic at heart.
She is a romantic at heart. But she’s practical. She’s very interesting, because she does have those dreams and hopes of finding the right man. And in her mind, even though Will’s married, that sort of guy is like the perfect guy for her. She’s very practical in the fact that she doesn’t want to be alone and she knows that she’s somewhat limited in a small town to men. And Ken is a very nice man, he’s not exactly like Will, but he’s good to her and he’s solid. He’s got a job, and he understands her and he understands all her quirks and stuff. So she’s practical, she knows that just might be her lot in life. So it’s weird. She’s got this very dreamy side about her and who she wants to be and what she wants her life to be like. But she’s also got this very practical, down-to-earth, well this is kind of the best I can do thing. It’s funny a lot of people have thought that part about her is weak. Like a weak character flaw, but I actually don’t think that’s true. I really just think that’s the practical side of her. I think that’s her being practical. And I think a lot of people are like that sometimes.

Makes sense. And which relationship are you rooting for to work out? Will and Emma or Ken and Emma?
Oh no! I don’t know if I can say! That’s a hard question because when you see the scenes of Emma and Will, you obviously think “Oh of course they’re supposed to be together, of course, of course!” but the fact is, is that he’s a married man and Emma knows that’s wrong, and she doesn’t want to be a homewrecker. She doesn’t want to ruin a relationship. So I guess in a perfect world, she could find someone like Will, or maybe Ken (laughs) can become a little bit more like Will. But maybe it’s all about respect. Maybe if she can respect Ken enough, that will develop into true love.

Yeah! Who knows? And you and Matthew Morrison have great chemistry. Was that instant when you started filming?
You know, I think so. We were friends. We knew each other before we started this job. We worked together once before. So, that’s always helpful when you know the person that you’re working with, and you already feel comfortable around them. But yeah, he’s a really good friend, so that makes that stuff a little bit easier.

And a few weeks ago I spoke with Jessalyn [who plays Terri] and asked her what it’s like being mean to you…(laughs)
(laughs) What did she say? What did she say?

She said that the crew gets really into it, and they liked when you guys were mean to each other. Is it difficult to film these scenes?
We are actually really close. And it is funny…I think I’m probably closer with her than anyone else on set. So the fact that we are (laughs) like arch-enemies, it’s really strange. But I actually think that makes it more fun, because it is totally a make believe scenario that we kind of play with when we have scenes together. But no it’s actually a lot of fun. And I think she’s just one of the best actresses out there, I just think she’s so good. And (laughs) she’s so intimidating when she becomes this person…this scary person, that it doesn’t even feel like it’s Jessalyn anymore. So we have a lot of fun with that stuff.

Can we expect anymore showdowns between the two of you?
I don’t know! I’m sure something’s coming because that whole relationship and that whole love triangle — which I hate calling it that — but that’s kind of what it is, is kind of set up for that. But maybe! Maybe they’ll let Emma win this one because I kind of think that she knocked me out in the last one.

Maybe they’ll even the scorecard.
Yeah, even the score a little!

And I loved your musical number, I Could Have Danced All Night. Do you want to sing again? Will we see you sing again?
Oh, thank you! (laughs) I don’t know if I want to say that I want to sing again. I actually found that terrifying. I haven’t had to do that before on camera, and I was so nervous that day. I had to keep eating bread and toast because my stomach was so sick. But it was an interesting experience. It was definitely a challenge for me. Of course if they ask me to do it again, I would do it again. But I’m not going to go begging them for it (laughs). Poor Matt. I stepped on Matt’s feet about a thousand times that day [when we were] dancing.

Well it looked perfect on TV.
Thank you. It’s all in the editing. They made me look a lot better on camera than it was in real life.

I hope you get to sing again, though. It’s great to see all of the characters get their moments to sing.
It is a lot of fun. I’m ready to see Jessalyn sing now.

I asked her that too. (laughs) She was like no ones asking where my solo is…and I was like I’m asking that now!
(laughs) I think I’m going to put in a little hint to the writers room, just to tell them that Jessalyn’s dying to sing. I’ve been telling everyone.

Something about her man, and getting off her man would be good.
It would need to be a country song, I think.

Definitely. Maybe a duet between the two of you.
Oooh, that’d be good! I would like that. I would really enjoy that. I’m going to have to start thinking about that.

Sounds good. And what were you like in high school?
You know, I never know quite how to answer that question, because I did a little bit of everything. I don’t think I necessarily fit into one particular group and to one clique. I did the cheerleader thing, I was a cheerleader, so I was a part of that group. But also, I was a total nerd. I loved math. And I would do the little math competitions that we had at school. And we didn’t have a drama department, but we had this small group where you’d go and compete doing monologues and stuff so I was also in that group. So I did a ton of different stuff, which really didn’t make me feel like I was a part of one particular group, but sort of a part of many.

Well that’s good.
Yeah, I guess that’s good. I guess I was well-rounded.

Do you relate to any of the characters — any of the kids in the Glee club specifically?
Well I guess in that way, I can kind of identify with all of them a little bit. I wasn’t a Rachel character, but I definitely had ambition. I think she’s the extreme of what ambitious kids might feel like. And I feel like there are kind of extremes with a few of the kids. I guess I had ambition, I knew I wanted to do something different. I didn’t know if it was possible at the time, but I knew that I kind of had that drive. But also, I did want to try and fit in with some of the kids at school, like being a cheerleader is all about trying to fit in a little, and be a part of that world. So I think I probably identify with a few of them, but not one in particular.

Your character gives out some crazy advice, like telling Finn and Rachel to wear sunglasses.
Right. (laughs) That’s great advice, come on!

(laughs) Well, I mean that does make you cool!
(laughs) It just shows how cool she was in high school.

Have you ever gotten or given out really crazy advice like that?
That’s a good question. (laughs) Let me think…I don’t know. I try to steer clear of giving people advice. I kind of think that can get you into trouble. That’s probably the best answer I can give you there.

And do you have a favorite moment from filming so far?
Actually, I’ve only had one small scene with him, but I really enjoyed working with Chris [Colfer]. We have a scene where he kind of vomited on my shoes. You didn’t really see the vomit happen, but I just really enjoy being around him, and I think he’s a phenomenal actor. And actually, there’s some stuff that hasn’t aired yet. It’s more towards the end, but I have a few more scenes with all the kids together. And that was really fun. They’re a really fun, unique bunch of kids to be around. When you’re in a big group like that, it’s rare that you get to have a big scene with that many actors. And they’re all so different and so unique that actually I found that to be a lot of fun, because there’s always something that you’re kind of seeing differently when you have that many good actors around you. So they’re really great to be around, those kids.

And can you give a little teaser for what’s coming up? I know you can’t spoil too much.
Well, Emma does get more involved with the Glee Club. I guess it’s a couple episodes away. She does gets more involved, so that’s a little teaser.

And you returned to Heroes quite recently. You had an episode centered around your character. Do you think you’ll be returning again?
I don’t know. That’s hard to say. I’m contracted to work with Glee, so technically I can’t really do any more of the Heroes episodes. But whether or not that happens a season away, maybe I go back. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with that character. I really don’t know. But I love working with them. I love that show, and I really love that character Charlie. I was really excited to go back and do another episode with them.

Thank you so much.
Thank you. You had some really good questions. I promise to have an answer for that bad advice question next time.

Be sure to tune in tonight for an all new episode of Glee at 9 pm on FOX!

Bravo has some top quality programming (get it?) with Top Chef, Top Design, and Shear Genius, among many others. It lost Project Runway to Lifetime this year, and I think the show has definitely suffered since moving. Perhaps to fill its void, Bravo has come up with a new show called Launch My Line. It is a reality/competition show, hosted by Dean and Dan Caten (designers of the line D Squared), where each person is competing for a chance to launch their own fashion line. The twist however, is that each contestant knows relatively nothing about designing and creating clothes. There are stylists and dressers and fashion critics who know a lot about the industry, but on the other hand you have a choreographer and a marketing executive. To help them launch their line, each contestant is paired with a fashion expert. I hadn’t really heard of any of these fashion experts, but I can’t really call myself one, so I trust Bravo.

Their first challenge is to come up with a name and a concept for their line, and then design a signature look. At first I found myself comparing the show to Project Runway. There is no Tim Gunn (although D Squared are so cute and awesome), no Mood Fabrics, and there were no Quick Fire challenges like on other Bravo shows. But after my initial thoughts that it isn’t Project Runway, I realized that the show is incredibly unique. Each contestant brings their own perspective to clothing design and I really enjoyed seeing how they conceptualized a line without any prior experience. In my mind, there is already a front-runner, but I don’t want to spoil too much. There are also a couple of contestants who I already find to be divas and rather pretentious. I was pleasantly surprised by the show. I expect quality programming from Bravo, and I was not disappointed in the least. For anyone who likes Bravo shows, or fashion, you will love Launch My Line. Be sure to tune in Wednesday at 10 pm on Bravo.

Meet the Contestants:

• Dan Karaty, Choreographer
• David Applebaum, Architect
• Eric Cubeechee, DJ
• Kathy Rose, Jewelry Designer
• Kevin Black, Music Mogul
• Louanna Rawles, Stylist
• Marilyn Crawford, CEO
• Merle Ginsberg, Fashion Critic
• Patrick McDonald, Fashion Writer/Dandy
• Vanessa Gonzalez, Event Designer