Info from l word fan site

Kate French was born in Flemington, New Jersey, but moved to Long Island where she was raised with her three siblings. Kate was born into a fashion family with both her parents working as models, and her step father a fashion photographer. She studied at the University of California and initially pursued a modeling career before switching to acting later on. She appeared in the 2006 comedy film Accepted before taking on the role of Brooke Crawford in Wicked Wicked Games, appearing in 50 episodes. She also appeared in three episodes of South of Nowhere.

There’s not much advance publicity regarding Kate and her role on The L Word. There was a very quick shot of her on one of the Season5 promo’s where she was involved in the Turkish oil wrestling.




When you were offered the role of Nikki on The L Word, what was the first thing that crossed your mind?
Just being on The L Word was the most fantastic thing ever. I was jumping up and down because I never did anything of that caliber. I mean, working with actresses on The L Word of that caliber…I was just so excited. I called my parents (giggling) and just kept jumping up and down. I was so excited.

Tell us a little bit about the character.
She is a young Hollywood lesbian…an up and coming movie star and sex symbol. She is still in closet and struggles with coming out or not because she tries to keep up with the Hollywood image. She is being pressured by a lot of people because she is so young. She is in an environment where there is a lot of chaos, a lot going on. She likes to have a good time, and party, but she is a caring person too. She does get into a little bit of trouble

Trouble?
Yeah, not really bad stuff though. Nothing malicious. Just young stuff.

Did you have any apprehension whatsoever about playing a lesbian character?
Actually I didn’t. Girls are close anyway in every day relationships, so I didn’t think it would be much of a stretch to play off of it. It just seemed to come rather naturally. It wasn’t hard at all.

As an actress who has traditionally played in straight roles, how did you prepare yourself so you could develop your character’s identity? Well, I actually talked to one of the directors quite a bit about the gay community…who they knew, and stuff like that. They helped me understand so much about the lifestyle. But really, relationships are the same pretty much if you are hetero or gay. There are still problems that exist, and they are the same either way.

How comfortable were you acting out intimate scenes?
Um…very. (giggling) Also working with another actress who knows her craft, well we had a good relationship so I ended up feeling very comfortable. It came natural for both of us I think.

How did your partner feel about you accepting the role?
We’ve been together for 4 years, so he was happy I got the role. He’s not a dude that was like ‘yeah great you’re gonna be with a girl.’ I kind of thought he was going to like it. I was like “honey you get to watch me make out with girls,” and he was like “I’m not into that.” (giggling) He did say that it was better than me making out with a guy.

What was it like to be one of the new cast members on the set?
Everyone was so great. They are amazing actresses, and they made me feel so comfortable. I wasn’t sure what to expect where the whole cast is primarily women.

One of the promo’s looks like you and Jenny may be having a romance.
My character has a romance with Jenny, yes.

Which actress did you work the most with on The L Word? And what are your thoughts or impression on said actress?
Mia Kirshner. First I was very intimidated, because she is such a great actress. Coming into this, with an all female cast, it was definitely a little intimidating. I was pretty nervous, but we clicked. She is a brilliant actress and most talented in her craft. Ya know, coming into an all female cast was a little intimidating. I was pretty nervous, but we clicked very well. The way she thinks, her mind, it must makes the scenes better. We were able to do a lot of improv, which keeps it so fresh and real.

Was it fun filming the scene where you participate in the Turkish Oil Wrestling?
That was like one of those days you wake up and think, this is my job? (giggling) It was the most fun, and wasn’t choreographed at all. We had one take to do it. One take, covered in oil. So all of us were just like, okay well, we have one shot to do this, and we just got in there and did it. The first wrestling scene was with Alicia, she plays Cindy, Dawn’s lover. She kicked ass. It was so hard because we all kept cracking up and could not keep a straight face.

Spoilers indicate that your character will be involved in opening a rival venue to the Planet. Can you elaborate a little further about this storyline?
That is actually Dawn’s character. She does that…not Nikki. The stuff that is out there, they had gotten it all wrong.

Wrong information out there, go figure.
(Giggles) I know. I was like, that’s not true.

How comfortable are you becoming a sex symbol in the lesbian community?
I’m all for it! (giggling) Why not? That’s how I look at it. It was so much fun working with everyone. I ended up becoming good friends with some of the writer’s and directors, including the cast members.

Were there any interesting moments behind the scenes that you would like to share?
Oh gosh, (giggles) A lot of the stuff that was really fun and hilarious happened with the camera’s weren’t filming. There was one time we all stayed in this hotel in Vancouver, and we were eating cheese and drinking wine, and all we did was laugh and laugh (giggling). There’s a video of it, and hopefully it doesn’t get out (giggling). But yeah, we had a lot of fun. Another thing was when we were filming this bike ride, and ended up getting stuck in a hail storm. We were lucking we had our helmets on. (giggling) I don’t think they are going to use the footage of the hail. Good thing we had our helmets.

How many episodes can we expect to see you in for Season 5?
I am actually in 9 out of 12. You will see Nikki come in on episode 4, and remain until the last one.

Do you anticipate that your character will be written into Season 6?
Yeah, I think so. The ending is left quite open, so yeah I definitely think she will be back. She caused a lot of drama for everyone.

Drama? In what way?
(Giggling) You’ll have to wait and see.

In addition to your acting career, you are also known as an aspiring writer. Is there anything in the near future which we might expect to see from you?
I hope so. It’s kind of been a little struggle for me, from being busy. I don’t have much time. I’ve been working on stories here and there. It’s one of my goals to get something out there.

How close did you get to work with Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman?
I had group scenes with Bette and Tina, but not any one on one scenes. But it was amazing to watch them do their scenes. I tended to hang around and watch them.

Certainly it would be a lovely thing to see a lesbian couple represented in a long term relationship, and Bette and Tina certainly have the right chemistry to make that happen.
Yes, they really do.

Can we assume that we might see Bette and Tina making a romantic return?
(giggling nervously, she started to stammer) “Uh, I can’t say if they are together….uhm…there is a lot of conflict. (hesitation)…I can’t say too much really, but what happens this season is amazing, with them, because their relationship goes so far back.

In closing, I know it’s a shot in the dark but I have to ask. Can you tell us something juicy that we can expect to see in Season 5?
You already know about the oil wrestling and that is certainly juicy. (giggling) What you will find, is that there is going to be some changes in terms of some friendships go, so yeah, interesting turns, especially where the older friendships are concerned. That’s about it.

Kate, it was a delight speaking with you. I appreciate you taking a moment to answer these questions, and I am sure I speak on behalf of all the members of Lword.com, when I say thank you for being so generous with your time. It has certainly helped to have a better understanding of this new character that you will bring to life in Season 5.
Thanks, this was lot of fun. Thank you.

by
Karman Kregloe
, Senior Writer and Director of Special Projects
November 30, 2007
MY BEGOÑA
Thanks to AE reader Rogue, we learned that actress Patricia Velasquez (Arrested Development, The Mummy) has been cast in the fifth season of The L Word. Velasquez will play Begoña, a character whose story line includes the subject of immigration. She indicated that her character will be introduced at the end of the upcoming season and will later be developed into a main character if The L Word is renewed for a sixth season. (For the full quote in Spanish, read Rogue's blog.)

You may remember Velasquez as GOB's girlfriend (and Michael's crush) on Arrested Development, or as the body paint-wearing Anck Su Namun in The Mummy movies.

It's notable that Velasquez is Venezuelan, which means she's a Latina playing — gasp! — a Latina on The L Word! Alert the media! Oh, wait a minute …

HALF NELSON, FULLY CRAZY
In more L Word-related news, there are fun new previews of what's to come in Season 5, and it looks ... slippery.

First up: In the words of Tina Kennard (Laurel Holloman), "Turkish oil wrestling?"




Who else would we find in the center ring but Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner), rolling around on the mat in leather pants (?) with her partially clothed (but completely lubricated) next victim. Is it a scene from her movie or a scene from her head?

Even if it means fighting dirty, would somebody please take her down?

Next is a brand-new trailer that gives away the big issues of Season 5 — and a lot of salacious details:



Will Bette and Tina get back together? Can Helena hold her own in the prison yard? Will someone be stupid enough to let Jenny direct her own movie? Only 37 more days until we find out!

NO, YOUR TICKET PURCHASE DOES NOT INCLUDE A HAIRCUT!
One final L Word tidbit: Katherine Moennig will be attending Untitled: A Film Festival to Support Rainbow Alley, Dec. 7-9 in Denver, presented by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the GLBT Center of Colorado and the Denver Film Society/STARZ FilmCenter.

Along with movie tickets, you can also buy tickets to a meet-and-greet with Moennig. Rainbow Alley is a drop-in center designed to support LGBT youth and their allies ages 12-21, so in addition to getting your Shane fix, you can make a contribution to a great cause. And maybe you can ask Moennig about Shane's plans for "Begoña."

Although not L Word related...something Sarah


'Life' is looking good for Sarah Shahi
By RICHARD HUFF
DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR

Sunday, December 2nd 2007, 4:00 AM

Sarah Shahi has more than a job on NBC's "Life."

Thanks to the critically praised NBC drama, she's found a life in acting where she's no longer just a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

"I hunger for things like this, for meaty roles that have complexity, and layer upon layer," Shahi said in a conference call.

But with model-good looks and a cheerleading background, Shahi found it difficult to get producers to buy her as something more than a beautiful woman.

"It's something I always wanted, and it would always come down to something. ... They would always say, 'She's too pretty. Nobody would buy her as a small-town waitress.' This one, it's nice, her looks are secondary or tertiary."

In "Life," Shahi plays detective Dani Reese, a recovering alcoholic who is paired with Det. Charlie Crews, played by Damian Lewis. Crews has returned to the force after spending a dozen years in jail after being wrongfully convicted of murder. He's a millionaire, the result of a settlement with the city, and back to solving crimes and investigating the consipracy that put him behind bars.

NBC airs the first of a two-part episode tonight at 10, and the second airs in "Life's" regular slot of Wednesdays at 10. After Wednesday, no new episodes of "Life" will be shot until the Writer's Guild strike is settled.

Reese is much different from the sizzling role Shahi had on Showtime's "The L Word," which she said helped and hurt her career.

"It's something I've tried to avoid saying: I was pigeonholed for a while. ... When I first moved out to Los Angeles, the only thing I had to offer was I was a football cheerleader," Shahi said.

"At the time, I was definitely a struggling actress living month to month. ['The L Word'] gave me the luxury of being a bit pickier with my roles," she added. "At the same time, it was my first big serious role, it definitely put impressions in people's minds."

Still, she's happy to have had the experience, and even happier to show a different side in "Life."

"I'm glad they took a chance with me," Shahi said. "And I hope they're happy with he."

"Sarah is doing fantastic work," Lewis said. "The endless questions about cheerleading is really not applicable to what she's doing now. She's definitely proved herself as a serious actress."

"Ah, that's nice," Shahi responded. "I'm going to cry."

Not L Word related...something Marlee

Frelich and Matlin Unite for Screen Adaptation of Sweet Nothing in My Ear
By Adam Hetrick
03 Dec 2007


Children of a Lesser God Tony winner Phyllis Frelich and her Academy Award-winning film counter-part, Marlee Matlin, will star in the screen adaptation of Stephen Sachs' play Sweet Nothing In My Ear for Hallmark Hall of Fame television.

Emmy winner Jeff Daniels and Ed Waterstreet, co-founder of the Deaf West Theatre, join Matlin and Frelich in "Sweet Nothing in My Ear," which is currently aiming for an April 2008 bow on CBS television.

In "Sweet Nothing In My Ear," "Laura (Matlin), who is deaf, and Dan (Daniels), who is hearing, are an attractive young couple happily married for nine years. Their son Adam was born hearing, but by age six has also become deaf," press notes state. "When Dan decides to pursue the possibility of a cochlear implant for his boy - a tiny computer chip inserted in the brain that would allow him to regain his hearing - a divisive wedge is driven between husband and wife that threatens to shatter their marriage."

Marlee Matlin earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of Sarah Norman in the film adaptation of Children of a Lesser God, the role which earned Frelich a Tony Award on Broadway. "Sweet Nothing In My Ear" finds Frelich portraying Matlin's mother, marking the first time the two actresses have worked together.

Sweet Nothing in My Ear received its world premiere in 1997 at Los Angeles' Fountain Theatre, where Sachs serves as co-artistic director. Emmy Award winner Joseph Sargent directs the screen adaptation.

Frelich has appeared on Broadway in Children of a Lesser God, Prymate and the Deaf West revival of Big River. Her screen credits include "Children on Their Birthdays," "L.A. Law," "Diagnosis Murder" and "ER."

Marlee Matlin's screen credits include "The L Word," "The West Wing," "It's My Party" and "Children of a Lesser God."

This week in the world of lesbian gossip
Article Date: 12/05/2007

By Tracy E. Gilchrist

(continued)

It’s that time of year again… No not Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza and New Year’s! It’s the fifth annual count down to those solipsistic, glamorous hot asses on The L Word, premiering January 6, and Showtime’s leaking just enough clippage to keep the junkies sufficiently jonesing for more. The latest L Word teaser does just that. Leave it to Ilene Chaiken and Co. to make Turkish Oil wrestling the next big fad. Like Kate Moennig’s and Leisha Hailey’s trend-setting haircuts in season one, stunning lesbians worldwide will be going topless in a pit to roll around with other long-haired hot chicks, as the beloved Jenny Shecter does in the teaser. Say what you will about Mia Kirshner and her much-maligned character, crazy Jenny, but Mia looks damned smokin’ oiled down and sporting her perma-Bettie Paige coiffure. Check out a bit of teaser action in the latest L Word promo.


Other L Word tidbits include Rachel Shelley’s Helena dropping the soap in the prison shower. And hurray to the L Word writers for not steering clear of that—funny if it’s done right—platitude. Also in store, Shane takes an ill-conceived stab at abstinence and Ross and Rachel—I mean Bette and Tina—kinda, sorta look like they might get back together. Is it me or is Bette’s possibly leaving Marlee Matlin’s Jodi for yawn-inducing Tina, a harebrained notion? Although it looks from the teasers like Tina got an Emerald City, “Merry Old Land of Oz” style spruced up look and personality for the new season. For more tantalizing video goodness, head on over to the L Word official site.

December 06, 2007 08:08 AM Eastern Time

OurChart.com to Host Online Premiere of the L Word®

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OurChart.com, the leading online social networking, entertainment and lifestyle site for lesbians, announced today that it will be hosting the online premiere of the fifth season of the phenomenally successful SHOWTIME original series The L Word one week before it is available on television. The online series premiere will take place on December 30, 2007 followed by the SHOWTIME premiere a week later on January 6, 2008. The episode and related behind-the-scenes footage will be available for free at www.OurChart.com.

“This is historic, marking the first time a gay or lesbian site has hosted the season debut of any television series,” said Hilary Rosen, founder and President of OurChart.com. “The lesbian community is internet savvy; and is twice as likely as heterosexual women to consider the internet their prime source of entertainment, making OurChart.com a perfect vehicle for The L Word season opener.”

The L Word is a groundbreaking, award-winning hit series on SHOWTIME created and produced by OurChart.com founder and CEO Ilene Chaiken. The television drama revolves around the lives and loves of a group of lesbian and bisexual women in Los Angeles and their friends, family and lovers.

“We think this is our best season of The L Word ever,” said Chaiken. “It’s the biggest, wildest party we’ve thrown, and we’re pretty sure that our fans will find that the fifth season is mindful of the demands and desires they’ve expressed on OurChart.com. We are thrilled to continue our successful relationship with SHOWTIME by hosting the national premiere on OurChart.com, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.”

Launched in January of 2007, OurChart.com has been riding a wave of recognition by major market advertisers seeking to target the increasingly consumer-oriented lesbian market. OurChart.com announced in June that it had reached a user base of over half a million users per month making it one of the largest sites exclusively targeting this important demographic.

“OurChart.com is successful because it expresses what Ilene created with the social and cultural phenomenon of The L Word - a place where gay women and their friends connect with one another around information and entertainment that speaks to their collective lives and lifestyles,” said Rosen. “We know what this community wants and we deliver it consistently. To have the season premiere of The L Word online is the start of another great year for the site.”

by Bette&TinaForever

On Sunday I finally had a chance to talk with Laurel Holloman. With almost two thousand attendees at the L3 Convention, all of the guests were really busy with photo shoots, Q&A sessions and autographs. The lines to all the events were long and endless and the cast members also needed time to rest and eat; so my only opportunity to interview Laurel was at the end of the autograph session on the last day of the convention.

The interview was brief as she was leaving right after to catch her plane back home. Still, it was very enjoyable. Laurel always impresses me with her answers because they are usually so detailed and thoughtful. She is indeed a true artist who is not just playing her character but actually is trying to understand who she's playing and why her character is behaving a certain way.


Some of the questions I was planning on asking were actually brought up during Laurel and Eric's Question and Answers sessions, so come back to the site when the Q&A reports will be posted to find out more what Laurel had to say about herself and Tina.

Laurel and I were seated in the room with only her assistant, Hayley, present and after usual greetings we began the interview.

Tell me about your convention experiences because this is your third convention, right? And you're coming in March 2008 for L4.
Laurel Holloman: If my schedule permits, yes.

And you're also planning to go to Germany as well?
LH: Yes, which is a separate kind of thing. It's mixed with some of the actors from Queer as Folk.

Okay, so tell me a little bit about the conventions, what makes you come back?
LH: Well, everyone has been really nice and I don't know, but I think there's like a jadedness sometimes with fans, not in the United States but maybe just in LA. Not to say that they are not fans because they are but there's so much enthusiasm over here and it's pretty amazing. It's just fun to be around for this experience and it's fun just to experience another country and another culture and maybe that's why I'm getting tired of being in LA. It's fun to have the experience of travel and to hang out with my cast members that I'm friends with and see a great country and meet all the women that are from all these different countries. Like Eric and I said when we did the Q&A, we get really isolated in our jobs.

You know, right before this I was at the convention in LA that Leisha and Kate attended. Leisha had her concert and pretty much every cast member showed up Friday night after filming except for you and Jennifer. So the fans were wondering what you were doing that night. You know how many speculations started after that? Some fans were saying that you were probably practicing some scenes?
LH: No, no, no. Honestly, I was shooting all week and I had my nanny take care of my daughter most of the week, and so to kind of go out at night and see a concert would take time away from her. I had already taken hours and hours upon hours. Also, my nanny has two children, and I went home so she could be with her kids. My husband's in school so he's not available very much.

Yes, you mentioned before that he's in a graduate program.
LH: He goes to SCI-Arc, Southern California Institute of Architecture.

So, are you still living in LA?
LH: Completely, yeah.

Oh, because someone mentioned that you have a house in Vancouver.
LH: No, I don't have a house in Vancouver, at all.

Oh, all those false rumors.
LH: Yeah, false rumors. I'm a 100 percent LA. I just rent an apartment just to do the show and when the show is over I leave as soon as possible. Not that I don't like Vancouver, but I don't want to live there. I want to live in LA.

Okay, now here's a Bette and Tina question. I'm not going to ask any spoilers because you already told me that we (meaning, TiBetters) are going to be happy.
LH (laughing): I said you might be happy.

No, you said we're going to be happy.
LH: Maybe I've changed my mind (laughing again).

Please, don't (Laurel was laughing again) because we have been waiting for so long. If you think about, it has been four seasons and pretty much only in season 1 Bette and Tina were really, really together. We are tired of waiting, but we'll be waiting until the end. Though, if Bette will choose Jodi one more time, there will be a lot of fall away from the show. Anyway, here's my question. I interviewed Jennifer Beals at the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and I asked her this question.
LH: It was really good. I saw the pictures. She looked amazing.

Oh, yes. We have a lot of pictures on our site, too, because the photographer and I went there. I asked her a rather lengthy question: how you and she always said that you wanted Bette and Tina back together, how you love to do in-love scenes because they are not as hard as the fighting scenes. When I asked Jennifer if she still wants them back together, she said that they have to earn it. In your opinion, did they earn anything so far up to season 4? You know, like they began their friendship again, and they were kind of getting along, they started talking.
LH: They're starting to earn it, yeah.

So you also think that they have to earn to get back together?
LH: Yeah, I mean, now they're just friends, but Tina spent a lot of time in season 4 trying to help Bette have a healthy relationship with Jodi. And when at one point Annabella asked my character, you know, why am I doing that, who knows? Maybe, Tina feels guilty. You know, that it's loving someone in wanting happiness for them regardless of how it turns out, and that's part of their journey. The earning it...that I think Jennifer is talking about... What I would say is they need to earn it by processing some of the things. I think they need to admit some of the mistakes they've made, and then they need to own them, apologize for them, and start to try to figure out a way to not repeat the pattern.

Since we were talking about how Tina was helping Bette to find happiness with Jodi, I remember you were saying before that in season 4 there's going to be this huge redemption theme for Tina, that she will basically sacrifice her own happiness for Bette's happiness. What do you think about this whole situation of sacrifice?
LH: I don't think she's sacrificing her own happiness at all. I truly don't think at the end of season 4 Tina knows where her happiness lies. I think Tina's on a journey of what it means to be alone, and I think she's learning how to be independent. I think she is actually finding happiness in it. I don't think she's evolved enough at the end of season 4 to know she's supposed to be in a relationship again. I think she has feelings, but I think she's adjusted to what those feelings are because Bette's in a relationship, and I think she's just actually thinking that it's time to be alone.

During the Q&A you mentioned the scene on the beach when Tina was with Kate and she calls Bette. I already asked you that question before about what she said.
LH: It was pretty obvious what that was about.

Exactly, but they had this little cut that didn't make the scene when you kissed Kate, why do you think they cut it? We all, of course, have our own ideas why but why do you think that kiss was cut?
LH: I don't know, I didn't edit it. It was Ilene's episode, and she edited that. I think, personally, I know why it was cut, but I don't want to say.

Well, I was thinking that right after Tina said, you know, "I want you back, I'm not afraid to make a fool out of myself?" and then all of a sudden she kisses Kate, it would look like it would diminish a little what she had said to Bette.
LH: I think it's a very adult thing. Her ex-girlfriend is in a full-on relationship, and she's helping her win her back, and whatever happens on the beach stays on the beach. I don't think Tina needs to be a saint in that moment because, if you think about it, she's been out of a relationship for a year or ten months. A lot of time has passed and they are sharing a child together. She's not with Henry anymore--and Bette's definitely the one in a relationship--and Tina's the one on her own. But I think if she made out with Kate on the beach. it doesn't take away her feelings, it's just means that Tina is a sexual person (laughing). But it could've just been a kiss, you know. I think it was meant to be ambiguous, interpret it the way you want. Either they head out on the beach and have great sex, or they don't really click. I think in this scene Annabella plays it where, you know, she's not too sure of Tina at that moment, and I think that's going to affect what's going to happen to them.

I think that it also was played so well that when Tina was talking to Bette, I think Kate was thinking?
LH: Yeah, that she wasn't over it. Yes, I think Kate was thinking that Tina's not over it.

Okay, well, you already know the term TiBetters, right? People who want Bette and Tina to be a couple, TiBette, and you know that this couple has a huge, huge following. There were polls on different websites and this couple has always been a favorite couple. Why do you think Bette and Tina have so many fans and such a huge fan base?
LH: I think it somewhat started in the pilot and I think there was really electric chemistry between the two of us. I think, as actors, we fought really hard over the next five years to try to tell a truth and we tried to bring a lot of history into these two women's lives. I think they ultimately have all the potential to be just a really wonderful couple and you know, they want a lot of really rich deep quality things in their lives, and they want a certain life style that's very attractive and very appealing. I just think there's something about them that is very attractive.

You know, when I first started watching it, I rented the pilot and I thought, I'll see it and if I don't like it, I'll just return it. And I saw the first scene, Bette and Tina just sleeping in bed, nothing else and I was like, that's it, this is my favorite couple (Laurel laughed at my admission and agreed with me). I don't know why, but I felt chemistry even there. It was really great and I think that's what people keep seeing, even when you fight, there's always something there. That's why so many people don't accept Bette and Jodi because there's no chemistry there. When they laugh with each other and maybe joking, like friends, I can see it. I can see them as friends but I can't see them as lovers at all.
LH: Right, yeah.

So many people agree with me, even people who hate Tina. . .sorry, but there are some who do.
LH: Yeah, when you take a character on a lesbian show and you flip her over to a guy, then there's no way out of this.

Well, there're some fans who hate Bette or other characters.
LH: I think a lot of people identify with some and it depends on who you are in your partnership. Like, I've had actually gay men come up to me and say, "I'm just like Tina, and my boyfriend's just like Bette. He's so controlling and you know, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah." I think people identify with a certain aspect of certain roles that you see. One good thing that Ilene did is that she's throwing those roles out the window now, and these women are changing -- they are growing and if they do end up together, they'll never end up being the couple they were.

If or when?
LH: If they do end up together they won't end up like before. Tina is coming into her own. She's definitely a late bloomer and she's just in a really great place. I don't think she was in a bad place, but I think she was still kind of growing from a girl to a woman when she was with Bette in the beginning. I think there were some control issues that Tina should've confronted Bette about but she didn't. And some identity issues, which, you know, happens. I don't think she's the same person anymore.

Yes, you can totally see from season 1 to season 4 how she changed for the better.
LH: For me, playing her in season 1 was the hardest, because I would never lose my identity in someone else's. It's not my personality. It was really uncomfortable to play, like some of the group therapy scenes.

Oh, I know. Some of them I couldn't even watch.
LH: So, I had a hard time with playing all of her kind of subservient wifeness. It's not in my nature.

Well, when I said that there are some fans that hate Tina, there are two sides to that. One of them means that your character inspires so many emotions. They are not indifferent, saying that they don't care about Tina. They say that they hate her because of that or that they love her because of that or that. So for me actually, it means great acting.
LH: I've never been an actress that has to be liked, so I'm okay with that (laughing).

Well, the second part to that, like I said, even those fans who don't like Tina, they'd rather see Bette with Tina than Jodi, because of the chemistry between them but not the other couple.
LH: Yeah.

You probably talked about this before but there's six months between seasons.
LH: There's always going to be 6 months between every season. They have to write it, they just don't pull it out of their hat. First, they have a break so everybody can take time off. And in the 3 months break they edit. So, they need three months after we wrap so from October until about right before the first episode airs. Like, when I get back, which is one of the reasons I have to go back, because they are editing the sound on the last episode. Technically, we are still working, at least on the sound and so they don't really wrap it up right until we go to air in January. And then what they do is they air and then they see how the season goes and then, if we were to go back, the writers have to probably start around March or we might not get picked up, which could be very probable.

Well, I talked to Ilene and said that she show is still pretty strong and she's hoping for season 6.
LH: It's still pretty strong, yeah. It's either going to be this year or next. It won't go past that.

You mean only up to season 6?
LH: It would be the last one.

Really? I wish it would go on forever.
LH: That's just my bet (laughing) but you know, you never know. Never say never.

That's true. Well, next question I've asked everybody who I talked to already. Kate and Leisha both were saying that when you play a character for so long, you kind of blend with the character. So when you started playing Tina, did you bring your own personality into the character or you actually turned into Tina? Like, I remember one of your interviews where you said that when you played Randy Dean, two months after you were still sort of acting like that character.



LH: Yeah, it's different. That's what happened to me on a film, I think, because the prep was so intense for a movie. Not to say that you wouldn't prep very hard for a TV show, but there're so many elements, you get so many re-writes on TV. You really get re-writes every day that you shoot, so you have to stay a little more open and a little looser. In the feature you prep really, really, really hard and then you go really hard and fast and then you sort of miss the characters that you fall in love with and the character goes away. You have some residue from the character. And when you're on TV and you're still shooting such a long, long, long span of time and the storylines are always changing and developing, it's really different. It's my first long commitment to a television show, so I'm not really sure where the lines start and end. I think, I brought a lot of myself to Tina in the beginning and then I think there's was a lot about me that started to change and I brought that into Tina too. And there were a lot of things in Tina that I wanted to change, even if they actually weren't likable. I actually wanted her to be a little bitchier, more unpredictable.

Not a girl next door anymore.
LH: No, no way. It's just sort of been hard for me as an actress to keep repeating that and even in season 5 there are some aspects of her that sometimes are likable and sometimes they aren't. I wanted to embrace that because I feel like you can never judge your character when you're playing them to do it really well and you can't worry about your vanity and likeability, I think, to be a true artist. You have to work with where you find the truths are and not worry. Like, sometimes I feel like you watch something and you're like, "God, why does this person always sort of get watery eyed and cry on every take?" It's boring, you know what I mean? Because every actress can cry, of course, that's why we're there but it's more interesting to watch someone hold back or like try not to cry when they are about to. There're so many different ways to play things and sometimes it's more interesting to play something that sometimes is uncomfortable to watch. What I like about Ilene is that's what she writes. I think she helped me grow as an actress because I've done some things on The L Word that I've never done in any film.

Because of all the different scenarios and different storylines.
LH: Yeah, even the final scene of season 1, which is very uncomfortable to watch but I'm so quite proud of getting it done.

It was very powerful.
LH: Yeah.



At this point I was given a two-minute warning and Laurel explained that she had to fly out that night, so I only had time for a few more questions.



You were asked about that tractor scene during Q&A. It was actually one of my friends and a TiBetter as well.
LH: I have to be honest; I don't remember it very well, because if it's not, like, Bette and Tina then I don't really pay much attention (laughing).

Well, it sort of connected to Bette and Tina storyline because Bette stole that sign, "17 Reasons Why", and then assembled it later.
LH: But it's a cute fun thing to do to Jodi and I was like, I don't want to watch that cute fun thing that she does to Jodi. Why do I want to watch that? (laughing again)

Do you think, personally that this was a romantic gesture?
LH: Oh yeah, it's romantic.

Because I found it kind of ridiculous.
LH: Oh, really? I think it's romantic. It's visual; it's a TV show. It's a visual thing to do on TV.

I guess, though I don't agree with that.
LH: Bette is an artist too. It's very appealing to Jodi's sensibilities and it's smart, so.

Well, Bette did this grand gesture to Jodi to win her back and she knew her maybe for a couple of months but in 7 years with Bette and Tina we never saw Bette doing anything grand for Tina, at least from whatever they showed to us, except for, like, bringing her flowers. So the question is, if Bette will prove to Tina that she still loves her, does she have to do some kind of a grand gesture, as well and if she will, what would it be? I mean, when Bette finally realizes that Tina actually is the love of her life and she wants Tina back.
LH: Nothing. I don't think it's that easy for either one of them. I'm still not sure that Tina would want her back either. It's not like a ping-pong paddle, it's not like one breaks up and then the other's available. Tina's obviously missing Bette, but then she may start dating so it could be other people in the mix. It's not as simple as Bette doing a grand gesture. It's literally not about that's where they're at. They're really at the place where they both have to earn it, have to talk about it, and have to process it. So it's not about any kind of thing like courtship or romantic in the beginning. It's literally about the continuation of a relationship, do you hear what I'm saying? They are not courting each other, so no, no grand gestures. Talking about the mistakes you've made and the only thing that those characters can have left right now to talk about. They have to talk about how they behaved because people can't behave that way and then get back together and assume things are going to work again.

Will they talk in season 5 about that?
LH: They might, yeah.

In the new promos that they showed to us, there're a lot of intense conversations going on between Bette and Tina.
LH: Yeah, it's going to be more.

So when you said we might be happy, in what sense TiBetters might be happy?
LH: I don't know. I don't know what the TiBetters all want?

We want Bette and Tina back together.
LH: There are different ways of being together.

In what ways do you think they might be together?
LH: I don't know, it's just so many different ways.

What ways are they going to show us?
LH: I can't say that or I might get fired (laughing).

One more question then. Can you describe Tina in one sentence?
LH: Complex.

Elizabeth Keener Interview -- New S5 Cast Member
--interviewed by Chicki

L-word.com is a site with over 55,000 members and steadily growing. I speak for all the members, when I say that we are thrilled to have this opportunity to chat with you.
Thank you so much.

We are interested in learning a little bit about the role of Dawn Denbo, which you will bring to life in Season 5; and would like to first ask, when you were offered the role of a lesbian character, did you have any apprehensions?
No, you know what? Not at all. I actually played a lesbian character a couple of times already. I played in Felicity, and…actually a couple, where I was involved as a character like that, and also a short film, “Getting to Know You.” You know what, good characters, and good work, is good work. It doesn’t matter.

Do you think those previous roles may have prepared you a little bit more?
I honestly find for me, there really is no difference. Whether opposite a man or a woman, it’s still a love interest. It doesn’t matter if she happens to be gay or straight, there really is no difference for me, really.

The L Word, as you know, is a show where the majority of the cast are all women. Did you find it difficult, or more challenging because of that?
No actually it was really great. They had this kind of family already. They were lovely. They were fantastic. They have every kind of um…characteristic, each one of them. They are very bright, and witty, and fun, and it really was a lot of fun. I think that there was a familiarity to everybody. Whether it was Jennifer Beals and Pam Grier, who play kind of the mama field to everybody, or Kate who is fun loving, or Leisha who is fun. I don’t know if it’s because they are all women or because it is who they are.

They certainly seem like a fun group of women, who really mix together well, even when they are participating in the conventions, the chemistry is present.
Yeah they are. It is incredible how much fun everyone has together.

Well, let’s learn a little bit about Dawn. What can we expect to see from her in Season 5?
Upheaval is what comes to mind. She just comes in like gang busters. Dawn is the type of character who feels like she deserves everything she gets, and everything that you have. So that’s the kind of character she is. She works hard and feels she is entitled to everything, if she can get it. Throughout the season, she does get that. She works hard to get everything she can possibly get, and along the lines she has a lot of enemies. In her mind, if you are an enemy, you did something to her first. That’s what she feels.

It sounds like we need to prepare ourselves for a little drama.
You know what? With Dawn, you are either going to love to hate her, or hate to love her, if you know what I mean. I prefer the latter…I think you are going to like her, but wish you don’t, you know? That’s how I played her anyway. I rarely use this word, the word “bitch,” but I don’t think she feels she is that way. I don’t feel I played her that way, but I think she might be labeled that way. I think she feels she is this aggressive business woman, that um…that feels that if she is wronged by someone, that she will one up them.

Spoilers indicate that she will be opening a rival venue to the Planet, which I imagine may be part of what fuels some of the drama between her and others. Can you elaborate a little further about this storyline?
Yes. She is going to be messing with some people. That is our intention, and that is what she does. (laughs)

Viewers have become accustomed to seeing relationships of all kinds develop. Some are expected, and some of them catch us by surprise. Can you tell us who Dawn might be having some fun with in an intimate way in Season 5?
I won’t give it away by telling you who, but in the first episode that she is in, she does have fun. She has a girlfriend, so…I don’t know if you interviewed Alicia Willis. Are you interviewing her?

Yes. On Wednesday.
Yes, she is fantastic. We had a great time. The big joke of it is, you know when you introduce one another it was like, ‘Hi I’m Dawn Denbo, this is my lover Cindy (chuckles). She was just fantastic. So let’s just say that Cindy and I pull a third person in. (laughs)

Ahh, of course.
I won’t say who, but that was Alicia and my very first scene, in working on The L Word.

Well that sure is one way to break the ice.
(laughs hard) It sure was. It was like, goodnight everybody.

Now that you have gotten to know some of the other actresses and the characters that they bring to life, is there any particular character that you would like to see Dawn romantic with in the future?
If Dawn Denbo could be in a romance with someone if she dropped her lover?
Yes.
Yes, you know what, I’ll tell you something. They are all great in their own way. What I would love is for Dawn to somehow mend her ways a little bit. Of course, who doesn’t want to be with Shane. (laughs). And then you know what? Can you imagine if Dawn Denbo was with Bette?

It’s funny you should say that, because when you were describing Dawn as being an aggressive business woman, Bette did come to mind.
(laughing) I don’t even know if The L Word viewers could even handle that.

I don’t think there are too many fans that are ready to give any character a chance playing opposite Bette or Tina.
I agree, I totally agree.

What was your favorite scene that you filmed?
You know there was one we shot where I came into a party scene and everyone is there, but I know no one. When I came in, the party basically stopped in its tracks. I think that was my favorite, it was me against like everyone in that party. It was fun.

Were you involved in the Turkish Oil Wrestling scene?
Oh gosh, that is in my club. I built a circus ring and was the ringmaster. I know you can probably see snippets in the Showtime trailers, that there are. I’m in a battle with three women in the ring.

I did interview Kate French last week, who shared that she had thoroughly enjoyed filming that scene.
You know what, that’s right. That was probably my favorite scene, when I think about it now. From morning until night…we had to do all the dry scenes because you only do the oil scene once because it was like this olive oil, and I don’t think we even shot it until like 11 o’clock at night. Let me tell you, the energy in that room…probably a hundred extra’s…and a few different battles. Jenny had one, and someone else. Then there were four of us, and Kate was in one with me. You know you’re right, that was the most fun, I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I recommend that you do that one time. We had so much fun. We were so happy at the end, and couldn’t have laughed more. The director was phenomenal, and had every angle shot. I’ll tell you, Kate and I just could not stop laughing. We did little tricks in there. We didn’t really plan for it because the oil just wouldn’t let us. We had a couple of tricks we did, and it was fantastic. If everyone just had one chance to do that--and I don’t mean like a bar atmosphere, or that kind of thing-- if you have a chance to do it, it is just phenomenal.

It’s quite interesting. I’m not sure too many people have heard of it until Showtime presented the trailer.
I never heard of it. I’ve heard of mud wrestling, but apparently Ilene Chaiken said that in New York, there are groups who would do this Turkish Oil Wrestling like in someone’s back yard. I can’t remember exactly what she said, but I guess it’s fabulous.

Ironically enough, just this week I read about one that is going to occur locally this week.
No way…can you send that to me, email that to me? I would love to see that.
It’s all about time. And I’ll tell you…I think the audience is just really going to love that episode.

Speaking of the audience, I’m sure you know that Bette and Tina have had a very strong following of fans who are holding onto hope, that this season will bring them back into the arms of the other. I’m wondering if you could share something about Season 5, that might make them run to the store to get a bottle of champagne.
(Strong laugh) Well….wow….all I can say is this… um…you will fully enjoy what is going on this year, from beginning to end. The audience will love everything that is happening…they will be frustrated, then not frustrated, then frustrated, and not frustrated. Really, all of it is good, so I would say just buy some champagne for every episode.

We have learned some things about Dawn Denbo…tell us a little bit about Elizabeth Keener. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I have a sister Catherine Keener. You know…Catherine Keener. Two time Academy Award nominee. She has done some lesbian roles. She was up for an Academy Award for one of the roles. There you go, those are the strong amazing characters we have around now.

In terms of television, it is amazing the progress that has been made. Though we would like to see more, we are headed in the right direction.
Yes, I think we are seeing more characters that are gay. In The L Word, it’s great. My character is gay, and I’m very fortunate that I was able to do this part.

Are you currently involved with someone, and if so, how did they react to you playing this role on The L Word?
No, I’m not. I’m single now.

Well then you didn’t have to have field any questions or concerns from a significant other, which might have been a relief.
(laughs) You know what, your right, it’s very true. It happened just before I went there, and it was so funny. You know we call it Gay Camp because it’s so much fun. You are in this beautiful city of Vancouver, you are on a show that is wonderful, the crew and case are just great, it feels amazing, and you are doing it during the summer.

Did you hang out with any of the actresses off the set?
Oh absolutely. I consider them ALL my friends. They are very good. I knew Leisha a little bit before. I met Kate before. But you know…I worked well with all of them. Mia is just fantastic. They are lots of fun, as are some of the new people like Alicia (Leigh Meyers) and Kate (French). I think Ilene said she loved the melding of the new actors with the old ones.

The viewers will definitely be able to pick up on the chemistry between the actors through their characters.
Absolutely, they are just all excellent actors. Really great.

How many episodes are you in?
I am in seven of twelve. I come in on episode four, and then by six it’s gang busters.

Do you know if a Season 6 happens, whether your character might return?
Let’s put it this way….I’m not going to say what my last sentence is in the script, but think of a sentence that would 100% mean that I’m going to be back, and that’s what I said. (laughing). I know that Showtime has never done more than five years and such, but you know, think about it…this show has everyone…not just gay women, but gay men, straight men, straight women, married couples.

I cannot agree with you more. We see that diversity on the L-word.com site as well. The show surpasses any sexuality boundaries when it comes to viewers who are drawn to this particular series.
You’re right. There aren’t many shows that have done that. This show has, and it’s a lot of money, we are in the middle of a writer’s strike, so everything is about money sadly, but with our chart and podcast’s and everyone watching, I hope that they, that they see that. That show should continue on.

Katherine Moennig - Interview
thelword-fr.net


Question: So you're here for the L3 convention. Why do you come to this kind of event?
Well, I think that the show gets so much support and love. I think it's our way of just getting back and giving time to the people who invest so much in it.

Question: About The L Word. You just shot season 5. I know you can't talk a lot about it, but what's your opinion on it?
This season is my favourite.

Question: Why?
It's just fun. It's just really really fun. I mean I haven't seen many episodes, so, I don't know how it will be put together but shooting it was just a lot of fun. I think the storylines are fun.

Question: How is Shane at the beginning of Season 5?
(smiling) Wild.

Question: Wild?
Yeah. She's back and full of that.

Question: Leisha just said that this season is like season 1 on crack. Your thoughts?
Yes. Exactly. That's the perfect way to describe it. Season 1 on crack.

Question: What do you think of the development of Shane through the years? Are you happy with it?
Oh. Yeah I am. I like how she's turned out. I like how she gets put in these relationships that always fall apart because it gives her a reason to go back to her wild ways. Yeah, I like her. She's damaged. So it's gonna be a slow evolution.

Question: What do you like and dislike in Shane this season?
Dislike?

Question: Yeah, and like?
I really like how she's back to her old self again this year. It's just fun and it's entertaining and it's nice to be the one who is not in a relationship and who is all over the place. What I don't like?

Question: Yes?
I'm kinda sick of the hairstyling, I have to say. I'm sick of this hair stylish ***. I want her to have a new profession.

Question: Like what?
I don't know. I can only give that away. I seriously want her to have a new job.

Question: Have you talked to Ilene about that?
Oh yeah. She finally bit the bullet and agreed. She said yes, let's do something else.

Question: Shane is such a strong character. Are you afraid of being stuck in this character for many years to come?
Yeah, but I hope not. I hope not. I mean, my hope is that people understand that what we all do is acting, which means portray something. It's basically playing dress up. So I hope that they are a bit more open-minded when it comes to casting me. And once again, it's also my responsibility to prove that I can do other things. So I think it's 50/50.

Question: What kind of other character would you like to play?
I don't know. I don't have any idea. I don't have anything specific. It kind of comes up when it comes up.

L Word inspires million dollar gift to cancer foundation

13th December 2007 12:58
PinkNews.co.uk staff writer

An anonymous donor has given a $1 million (£490,000) gift to a cancer foundation in honour of Erin Daniels and Leisha Hailey, two of the stars of the hit Showtime series, The L Word, for the realism and truth they brought to a breast cancer storyline that ended with the death of Erin Daniels' character, Dana Fairbanks.

It is the largest private donation ever made to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.

"The donor, who has chosen to remain anonymous, wanted to honour the actresses for their compelling portrayal of a couple dealing with the tragic consequence of breast cancer," said the Foundation's Executive Director Naz Sykes.

"Ultimately, she decided the best way to do that was to give a generous donation that would help us advance the work we are doing to end breast cancer in our lifetime."

The $1 million donation will be used to establish The Erin Daniels and Leisha Hailey Fund for Breast Cancer.

In addition to making this donation, the anonymous donor intends to match dollar for dollar every donation made to the fund.

The entire fund will be used to advance the Foundation's research programme that aims to end breast cancer in our lifetime.

"There are very few times in a woman's life where she feels she's been lucky enough to be part of something that will change lives," says Daniels.

"This is one of those times. I am overwhelmed that my portrayal of Dana's story has inspired such an act of kindness and generosity, and elated to be a part of it.

"I am thankful that so many women will be given hope due to Dr. Love's programme."

"It is an honour that our breast cancer story line touched someone in such a tremendous way that she so generously gave to such a tragic illness," says Hailey, who plays Alice, one of the shows most significant and best loved characters.

"I am awed by her gesture and it inspires me to act with my conscience and give of myself."

Dr. Susan Love guest-starred on The L Word after Dana was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The anonymous donor, who had met Dr. Love in Boston in the mid-1980s, was thrilled to see her on the show. But what really intrigued her, she says, was the conversation Dr. Love had with Dana and Alice about her desire to find a way to eradicate breast cells that were just thinking about becoming cancer before they could do any harm.

When Erin Daniels' character, Dana, was diagnosed with breast cancer she was a 32-year-old tennis star.

Her storyline allowed viewers to gain insight into the lives of the many "Danas" who, in real life, have heard the words "You have breast cancer."

While many fans of "The L Word" were impressed that the show decided to tackle such a tough topic as breast cancer, some were angered by the storyline that resulted in Dana's death.

On blogs and websites, many discussed their frustration that the show chose to have a character die from breast cancer rather than illustrate how many women survive-and thrive-after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Others grieved not only for Dana, but for Alice, who had lost her best-friend and former lover.

posted by Nirvana71 at TWoP

From Day 1

Laurel/Eric session

As a returning L Word “Conventioneer”, I was fortunate enough to know how to game the system to get at the front to ask questions.

Laurel said that Tina will be ballsy at work.

For Tibette fans I asked Laurel specifically if there is hope for Tina and Bette in S5. She said with a cheeky smirk, “Maybe. There is always hope for Tina and Bette.”

Day 2

Laurel/Eric session

I asked Laurel point blank if Annabella was coming back for Season 5 and if Tina was going to seek comfort in her arms now that Bette was off with Jody. Again with a cheeky grin she said “Maybe!” She didn’t go into specifics because she was afraid she would be giving away a spoiler. So I’m taking that as a yes. (IMG:style_emoticons/mediablvd/smile.gif)

I asked her about Leisha’s comment that the new season was like Season 1 on crack and about the mud wrestling promos. She laughed and agreed that Leisha’s description was accurate. The writing this year is again heavy on the humor. Essentially Season 5 is all about poking fun at Season 1. She described it as the movie The Player, a movie within a movie, a set within a set.

She said that Tina also plays a big role with the wrestling. I might be remembering this wrong, but I think Tina tries to stop it somehow.

--from Showtime


Unresolved romances and a long-simmering film project finally bear fruit in the fifth season of THE L WORD®, returning January 2008 to SHOWTIME. Dreams come true and new life paths are forged for many of the show's beloved characters this year – but not without the THE L WORD's trademark provocative storylines, sizzling sexuality, and heart-rending emotion. The series stars Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig, Daniela Sea, Rachel Shelley and Pam Grier. Season five's new guest stars include Kelly McGillis and Wallace Shawn, alongside returning special guest stars Cybill Shepherd, Marlee Matlin, Kristanna Loken, Jane Lynch and, returning to a role that earned the program acclaim and controversy, Rose Rollins as Tasha, an Iraq War veteran concealing her sexuality from the military.

Season five's major plot developments include a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" investigation of Tasha Williams (Rose Rollins), a closeted soldier whose moving romance last season with the out-and-proud Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) earned the show an award from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Series creator and executive producer Ilene Chaiken is proud of the attention her series is bringing to the lingering but still-unresolved issue of gay military service. "I hope Tasha's story will shed light on the military's untenable policy of institutionalized discrimination again gay men and lesbians who sacrifice to serve their county," Chaiken says. "Tasha's experience with 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' only skims the surface of the battles gay servicemembers face everyday. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to tell her story and hope that it sparks consensus, rather than controversy, on the need for policy reform."

Debuting as the tough veteran Colonel Gillian Davis, who is charged with prosecuting Tasha's case, is Kelly McGillis, star of such blockbuster motion pictures as Witness and Top Gun. McGillis brings grit and panache to a role that, like so many in THE L WORD, is less one-dimensional than it might be first assumed.

McGillis isn't the only exciting fifth season guest star. Chaiken reveals that, "In addition to Jane Lynch and Holland Taylor, we're delighted by the return of Cybill Shepherd and her real-life daughter, Clementine Ford, to play the mother-daughter duo of Phyllis and Molly Kroll." Molly, who insists that she is straight (in contrast to her recently out mother) proves an unexpectedly stalwart foil to legendary heart breaker Shane (Katherine Moennig). Chaiken hints, "As for Shane…let's just say she's back and better than ever, but also more self-aware and prepared to deal with the girl drama she invites.

"Also new to season five is the incredible Wallace Shawn as the wily financier of Jenny's movie," reveals Chaiken. When Jenny's undaunted persistence resurrects her autobiographical movie project Lez Girls with money from a hedge-fund billionaire (Shawn), the polarizing writer soon finds herself behind the camera directing the film, as well as wooing the hot new "It Girl" actress Nikki (Kate French) to star. "The production of Lez Girls is bringing a wealth of new talent to THE L WORD," says Chaiken, who also cites guest stars Malaya Rivera Drew, who plays Jenny's disturbingly devoted assistant Adele, and Patricia Velasquez as Begonia, a self-possessed actress appearing in Jenny's film. "We are having an absolute blast with Jenny this year as she takes on Hollywood with her movie and its 'fictional' account of the friends' lives," Chaiken laughs.

Another significant story line for season five is the arrival of Dawn Denbo (Elizabeth Keener) and her lover Cindi (Alicia Leigh Willis), a pair of Florida party-girl emigres who open a new establishment to rival longtime hangout The Planet, setting into motion a rivalry with The Planet's owner Kit (Pam Grier) that starts benignly but quickly turns bitter.

Then there are Bette and Tina, the former couple whose on-again, off-again romance remains, for many fans, the heart of THE L WORD. Despite Bette's continued serious involvement with artist and professor Jodi Lerner (Marlee Matlin), her feelings for Tina seem to be gradually simmering into "on-again" mode, and the feeling could be mutual. The characters' tortured passion will have viewers taking sides and glued to the screen.

When discussing the rollercoaster ride that is Bette and Tina, the executive producer chooses her words carefully. "I am certainly moved by how much the story of Bette and Tina resonates with viewers," Chaiken asserts. "I won't confirm or deny anything just yet but will say that everyone behind the show approached season five with a completely open mind. My personal hope is for Bette and Tina to find happiness, whether as friends and co-parents, or as a couple. We've seen them play both of those roles over the past four seasons and I believe they're ready for resolution. But you'll have to watch to find out which path they chose."

Chaiken has a few more twists and turns planned for the new season, but says that the return of THE L WORD's characters to the extended family vibe of the early years is the theme that really shapes the new episodes. "Some of our favorite scenes to write and shoot at THE L WORD have always been the big group scenes – those gatherings at The Planet, or get-togethers at Shane and Jenny's or one of our famous dinner parties," she relates. "If anything defines season five it's a return to the magical friendship among our ladies and the humor it brings to their lives and our stories. At the same time, our characters are growing up and their core relationships to each other and as a group are shifting. In season five, I wouldn't be surprised to see friendships take unexpected, dangerous, heartbreaking…or even romantic detours."

--interviewed by Chicki

Alicia Leigh Willis was born on March 1, 1978 in Atlanta Georgia. Her father is David Willis, who has starred in many commercials and on Ally McBeal. Alicia played Alli Fowler on the NBC’s Another World from 1988 to 1999. From December of 2001 to February of 2006, she played Courtney Matthews on ABC’s General Hospital. She has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy awards for her work on General Hospital. She also had a reoccuring role on the WB Network series, 7th Heaven.


Alicia, thank you for accepting our invitation for an interview with the L-word.com. We are a website that has over 55,000 members, and I am so proud to say that we are steadily growing by the day.
Wow, that’s great. Keep in mind, those numbers reflect only the registered members, and not everyone that actually visits the site regularly, so it is considered a very popular site. No pressure or anything, but know the interview will be read by many. (laughs). That’s amazing. It’s great to be a part of this.


You have had experience working on some Soap Opera’s, Another World and General Hospital. Can you tell us a little bit about that, and how those shows differ from your role on The L Word?




I was around nineteen when I played in Another World, and then only a couple of years later landed a role as Courtney Matthews on General Hospital. I think that what differs, is that The L Word is a lot more racy than General Hospital was. So, it’s different in a lot of ways. When they shoot, you could be finished in half a day and do like forty pages of dialogue, where as on The L Word, and most shows you maybe have a page or two a day which could take up to sixteen hours. So the hours are a lot longer, with much less dialogue. For me it was very different.

I read in an interview that your dad, David E. Willis, has been highly supportive in terms of your career. Has that continued to be the case when you accepted the role as Cindi?
Oh yeah absolutely. When I told him about it, he was really very excited for me. He knew The L Word was a big show. He also knew this was one he wasn’t going to get to watch. (laughs). He’s so supportive of me, and knows that this was a big step in terms of my career, because I would be going from traditional daytime roles to an evening show.

You will be appearing in 7 episodes in Season 5 of The L Word. Tell us a little bit about how you came to be on the show.
I had read for them a couple of times for difference characters. I don’t know, I guess they liked what I did. They called me back in, and I got lucky. I got to read with Elizabeth (Keener) on my last read, and I guess it just bit.

I spoke with Elizabeth on Monday.
You did? She is a great lady. I love Elizabeth.

And Kate French last week actually.
Oh I love her too! I miss her, I have to call her.

I’m sure she would appreciate that.
She’s great. I’m going to.

Have you ever played a gay character before?
You know I haven’t. I never ever had the opportunity before, and it was a great opportunity because I think this show is so important. The more shows we have like this, I think is good.

It is, we have few shows that get to represent same sex relationships. What did you find most challenging about it if anything?
The only thing for me that was difficult was doing nudity. But that would have been like that in any case. A gay scene or straight scene, either way it’s a big decision to make, especially if you haven’t done it before. You wonder what kind of effect it is going to have on you. I found it kind of liberating though, in a way.

Once you were able to get beyond your initial discomfort, did you find it easier?
Oh sure, I was like…hey, if I can do this... (laughs) I get these scripts now from my agents, and they are a lot racier than I’ve been accustomed to in the past, and I’m like ‘okay guys’ (laughs)

How did you feel about acting out the more intimate scenes?
I was very nervous. I was really nervous, even though I’ve done that sort of thing in soaps before, and everyone was so supportive and wonderful. Working with Elizabeth and Kate (Moening) it was just a lot of fun. Thank god for them because I was pretty nervous in the beginning.

I think that being nervous is a common reaction where this is the first time you had participated in a nude scene, and also as you portray this woman, you are trying to create this lesbian character in way which is convincing to the viewers. Those are two new challenges you faced simultaneously.
Absolutely! That’s so true, and I a lot of that was going through my mind. What I really liked about working with women, is that you look out for one another, more so than when you are working with men. They are very supportive, and it’s kind of nice. They just watch out for each other and I really enjoyed that.

It kind of compromises the belief that women are excessively competitive and can’t get along with one another doesn’t it?
It sure does. You know, towards the end of the Season, you know you look at these women who have worked together for so long, and you see so much love that they have for one another. To be a part of that, was so special for me. I just can’t say enough about this group of women, from the crew, to the writers, the directors, producers, Ilene. It was just incredible.

We know that Cindi is expected to be romantically involved with Dawn Denbo, but we would like to know a little more about what to expect in terms of the type of person she is, how she blends with the other characters, and what she gets into in Season 5.
You know I think she comes out of a situation where Dawn kind of rescues her in a way, and gives her a different kind of life. They run a club together, and Dawn buys her nice clothes, and treats her good, but she is a little too controlling. Cindi kind of acts out and she does some things in some of the episodes where she acts out against her girlfriend. She is a little fickle, but I think she is just trying to find herself. There is a transformation sort of, throughout.

Is there suppose to be a significant age difference between Cindi and Dawn?
You know, not really, I don’t think so. It’s funny because I hang out with Elizabeth and I don’t feel like there is one at all. (laughs). I think it’s more of a difference in experiences than anything

Outside of scenes with Dawn Denbo, who else can we expect to see your character in a number of scenes with?
Kate Moening…Shane. She is something, a lot of women like her.

She’s quite popular, there’s no arguing that.
I know. My girlfriends, even the straight ones, were like ‘oh my god, you’re going to make out with Kate?’’ (laughs) They got so excited, I would just crack up. I used to watch the show in the beginning. I really, I mean I love all the girls in the show, but it was so funny because of all the girls I had to make out with, all my girlfriends have a crush on.

That’s so funny.
It just cracks me up, my straight friends all excited about me kissing her. She (Kate) just laughed when I told her that.

Well you’re only straight until you’re not right?
(laughs hard). Yeah, I remember that…Alice said that. I love that line!

How comfortable are you, becoming a sex symbol in the lesbian community?
I think its great! (laughs). I don’t see myself as that, but…It’s just exciting, and I do feel it is such a privilege to be a part of the show.

I’ve asked Kate and Elizabeth this, and they were both excited to talk about it. Did you participate in the Turkish Oil Wrestling scene, and if so, what were your thoughts?
Oh yeah! Ohhhh yeah, I was very much involved. (laughs). I never laughed that hard in my entire life. Your skin and hair is so soft for about a week. If you can do it, you have to do it. We were just hysterical when we filmed that scene, just one of the funniest moments ever.

If I didn’t ask, the vast number of Bette and Tina fans would be disappointed. From some of the Showtime trailers, spoilers, and of course speculation, will the Bette and Tina fans have something to be happy about by the end of Season 5?
Let’s just say that I am a big fan of them as well, because I did watch the show, and um...let’s just say...I don’t know what I can say. (laughs). Let’s just say I had a big smile on my face.

The L Word shows a lot of diversity in terms lesbians, so it would be interesting to see if there will be a long term couple being represented.
Yes. They have such a connection. Who knows what’s going to happen? But I…I think fans are just going to really love this season, I really do. There’s a lot of fun, laughing, and so much that is going on.

We know that Cindi is with Dawn, but let’s say if Cindi was to be written into Season 6, should the show be renewed, who would you like to see Cindi hook up with?
Well, I think Cindi and Helena.

Yeah?
Yeah, I do. (laughs). They would be a scorching couple.

Helena has made an enormous turn around on the show.
She has! Now the girls like her. She isn’t as evil.

We have learned a bit about Cindi, what about Alicia? I’ve read where you had been learning to surf and snowboard at one time. How have you done?
Oh yes, I have snowboarded for about fifteen years, and that is like my number one love. Surfing is something I like to do when I go on vacations, on surf trips with my friends. I’m not the greatest surfer in the world, but snowboarding I actually do much better with.

I understand that you first started playing soccer when you were five, and had become an accomplished soccer player at the club level in high school, being recruited to play college soccer in your senior year at Laguna Beach High. Are you involved in any way in the sport today, and looking back, do you have any regrets that you had chosen a career in acting instead?
Yeah I played soccer since I could pretty much walk. I think right now if I was to take a ball out there I would pretty much get my ass kicked. I have to say that I love what I do, I really do, so I have no regrets whatsoever.

Alicia, in closing, what would you like to say to the members of the L-word.com?
I hope the fans just love this season, and I hope they embrace Cindi. (laughs). I just hope that I can make people laugh.

It sure sounds like it is going to be a really fun season. We look forward to seeing you in Season 5, and hopefully back for a sixth season.
Thanks so much, and keep working it girl.

Miscellaneous Kate Q&A's


June 22, 2007

1.) If you'd be able to change one thing in the world or in your life, what would it be?
Katherine: no more violence in our world.

2.) What are your favorite hangouts in Vancouver and Los Angeles?
Katherine: in vancouver it's a restaurant called rodney's. but in l.a., there isn't one specific place, i just like to float around in my neighborhood.

3.) Do you keep in touch with Sarah Shahi (you two had great chemistry on screen) and Erin Daniels now that they're no longer on the show?
Katherine: i'm in touch with erin. she's a very good friend. i run into sarah randomly and it's always great to see her. she's a good girl.

4.) Showtime has built an entire place for the L Word fans in the virtual game Second Life. What do you think of it and will you and the other cast members get an avatar and hang around there with us?
Katherine: i've heard of it and from what i've been told, i don't understand it. all this virtual stuff goes right over my head.



June 08, 2007

1.) what is it that you look for in a significant other and with that being said what is the best lesson you have learned when it comes to love and relationships?
Katherine: i think it's so important to like someone as much as love them. and with that, respect and accountability are priceless. those go hand in hand with what i've learned so far.

2.) Does the fans/media's constant focus on your sexuality bother you?
Katherine: i don't notice if it's the constant focus. i don't pay much attention to it.

3.) What were your dreams when you were a kid?
Katherine: i think the beauty of being a kid is living in the moment. my dreams didn't go beyond the excitement of riding my bike or eating a good dinner.

4.) I am a big fan of Shane and I think you do a wonderful job. As a forty something lesbian in Northeast PA I find the characters in the L Word a bit unbelievable. I have an extended group of friends, all of whom chose different career paths, but none of whom have film companies fighting over their stories, or are posing for Hugo Boss, or are radio DJs or multimillionaires. I would appreciate the show more if it were more realistic. Do you think the characters accurately portray real life lesbians?
Katherine: it's not the show's responsibility to portray everyone. i do think that regardless of their lifestyle, there is a spectrum of personality and emotion for these characters' situations. and that is what is relatable. it's television and entertainment, what do you expect?

5.) If you weren't on The L Word, do you think you would watch it?
Katherine: i'm sure i would. and then i'd be annoyed that i didn't audition for it.



May 25, 2007

1.) I know fans must drive you crazy and I have read a few interesting stories about how crazy fans can get. But if you could put yourself in your fan's shoes, I was interested in hearing how you would react. What would you do if you saw yourself in a restaurant or on the street and you just wanted to say "hey!"? I thought this might give some advice to your fans on the best way to approach you and speak to you but not annoy you or freak you out. What is something fans can do that would make a good impression on you?
Katherine: i really don't know how to answer that. everyone has their own way of dealing with situations. i don't like getting grabbed, but who does?

2.) What is your favourite song lyric?
Katherine: i don't have one favorite, but i love what bjork has to say in "unison" [Click here to read the lyrics].

3.) You once said (back in 2000) that in 2010, you saw yourself in a loft in NY with your dogs and a relationship. With three years to go, has anything changed in where you want to be by then? Any different goals to add?
Katherine: i'm too superstitious to predetermine my future. a lot can happen in 3 years, let alone 10.

4.) Who do you think are the 5 most beautiful women in the world (excluding your mom)?
Katherine: thandie newton is the one that comes to mind right now. i'll think of the rest later.

5.) Could you ever see Papi and Shane hook up?
Katherine: umm... no i don't think so. seems a bit far fetched.



May 11, 2007

1.) Congratulations on your new project on Gay Youth Homelessness! A lot of people have commended you on how you brought light to this important matter. While a lot of us are aware of homelessness issues, your video project might actually be the first (or one of the few) which focused on the impact of this issue on gay youth. Aside from bringing awareness, what do you expect to come out of this project? I'd just like you to know that we'll support you and the project any way we can. Good luck!
Katherine: i really don't have any expectations. it would be great to see this project go further. but my intention with doing it is just to bring some awareness to the issue. and it seemed like the ourchart website was a good place to start.

2.) If Sarah Shahi was interested in coming back for the 5th season, would you like to see Shane and Carmen back together again, have some form of storyline? or has the door shut on that, would you like to see Shane move forward? Also, is there anything you can divulge for season 5?
Katherine: i know nothing about this upcoming season thus far. but if sarah was to come back... it wouldn't matter to me which way the storyline would go. it would just be great to have some closure with that.

3.) Of all the published photos which is your favorite, why and do you have any difficulty having your picture taken?
Katherine: i don't have any favorites. i never really like any photos of myself. but i do find b/w ones to be more forgiving.

4.) In your opinion, how was Shane as a kid?
Katherine: a mess with a.d.d. i'm sure.

5.) Is there any item you cling to from childhood, such as a favourite teddy bear, toy or family heirloom?
Katherine: i'm not big on mementos. the german side of me never wants any clutter.



April 27, 2007

1.) What is your one true guilty pleasure?
Katherine: Tattoos.

2.) You must receive a lot of fan mail, do you read all of it?
Katherine: I have someone who helps me out. I try to read as much as I can.

3.) Your acting in episode 4.09 after Shay had left was really moving. Looking in from the outside it seemed really raw, emotional, and very real. How do you prepare for a scene like this, where it doesn't work unless the performance is really touching? How many times did you have to take that scene?
Katherine: That scene was one of those instances where I knew it was coming. So I had it in my head for a while. We only did the goodbye part about 3 times to capture different pieces. But yes, in those kind of scenes you can't fake it. And sometimes it comes very easily and you can just trust what comes to you.

4.) In the first part of the podcast I saw you having a new tattoo again. Would you say that it is kind of like an addiction getting more and more tattoos? Can you please describe and tell us the meaning of the latest one?
Katherine: I think tatts are addicting. I love everything about getting them. My new one is only 2 weeks old. I'll tell you what it means later.



April 13, 2007

1.) As you know, Dana showed up as a ghost in the last episode of season 4, those brief minutes made lots of fans realize how much she was missed. It was wonderful to see her again. Did you get to hang out with Erin when she was on set during filming? I hope you did and that you guys had a blast.
Katherine: yes, having erin back was a great surprise and we all were so happy to have her back.

2.) You said in a previous Q/A that you're getting to a point where you want to step away from the androgynous-looking characters. What would be your first ideal role to differentiate yourself from the past roles?
Katherine: i don't know what role would be a good example. i usually don't know till i find it.

3.) How would you describe the relationship between Shane and Paige (just fun, love, practicing family life, carmen substitute....) ?
Katherine: i really think the best way to describe that relationship would be placid. however i do think it served its purpose. but in the end, i really don't think it is shane's way of life.

4.) Kate, what do you hope to see next season for Shane and the other characters?
Katherine: more scenes involving friends. other than that, i really don't know.

5.) Kate, I have read many interviews with you and you seem to be a very private person and value your privacy very much. If so, what motivated you to be in such a non-private career?
Katherine: i enjoy the risk with this career. it has the highest highs and the lowest lows.



March 30, 2007

1.) Kate, first of all great news that there's going to be a Season 5 of TLW but as always there are many rumours on the web etc that your character isn't going to be a part of this season. Would you be able to put your fans minds (and hearts) at ease and tell us if this is true or not?
Katherine: that is untrue. where do these rumors begin anyway?

2.) Recently I was on youtube.com. I entered your name as search-key and I was amazed by the number of videos that appeared. The bigger part of the clips represents self-made clips of you and I wondered how much time these people must have invested. Have you ever had a look on them and what do you think about them?
Katherine: i discovered youtube a while ago, and yes i have seen a few of those fan vids. personally, i wonder how they make them look so good. and sometimes they look better than the actual episodes.

3.) In a recent online interview, you said you were going to be a part of two films later in the year. Can you give us any hints about the projects?
Katherine: you know, i'd rather send these projects in stone before i start talking about them. they are indies so they can fall apart at any second. i'll let you know when they are concrete.

4.) In season 3, we briefly saw Shane snowboarding. Was that you? Are you a fan of snowboarding in real life and if so, when did you learn, how often do you go and any tips on your favourite resorts?
Katherine: no, that wasn't me. i used to snowboard when i was younger. now, i don't like it as much. i enjoy surfing a million times more.

5.) Do you have any favourite animated/disney-movie and could you image giving your voice to an animated character?
Katherine: i liked the old mickey mouse cartoons. if anything, i would want to be a character on south park.



March 16, 2007

1.) What are your top three priorities right now in life?
Katherine: peace of mind, security and contentment.

2.) Beyond needing a place to crash, why do you think Shane sought out Cherie Jaffe after leaving Carmen at the altar?
Katherine: i don't know. don't we all do dumb things when we are under such an emotional stress?

3.) I read in an interview that you had taken part in the selection of the actress who would play the part of Carmen, is it true? What is it that the casting directors look for when casting a part like this? Did you go through the same process for casting Paige?
Katherine: yes, i did read with a few girls for carmen. i don't know what the casting was looking for, but i had my own thoughts on who she should be.
ilene took the reins with the paige character. i didn't have much to do with that.

4.) If this was the last season of the L Word and you were told you could join the cast of any current TV show, which show would you join and why?
Katherine: i haven't watched a television show in ages. i don't even know what's out there anymore.

5.) Howard Stern talked on his show about his fiancee having a crush on you and your character. Have you heard about that? How do you feel about it? Would you go on his show if he asked you?
Katherine: yeah, i did hear about the howard stern show. i think it's flattering i was brought up. i think howard stern is a genius. i used to listen to him all the time. but if i was to go on his show, that would be crossing a personal line with me. i'm just too private and shy.



March 02, 2007

1.) I don't know if you're familiar with "myspace" but I've noticed that there are about 20 pages of people pretending to be you. Does it make you feel uncomfortable at all? I know I personally would be considering some people could think it's really me and getting answers from somebody else...
Katherine: i'm sure it would scare me if i went on myspace and did a search. but i never go on.

2.) I laughed out loud at Shane's reaction to the underwear ad in the recent episode- it was classic! Angela Robinson said that that response was really you- that you actually were mortified when you saw the poster. Ilene Chaiken has also said that the whole Shay story arc was your brainchild. So I'm curious, how much of Shane's storyline this season is sort of "art reflecting life" for you? Did you think of the Shay story because of a relationship you have with a child, and is the representation at the premiere pretty reflective of your responses at those types of things? Thanks!
Katherine: basically, i was shocked and embarrassed to see a huge poster of myself. plain and simple.
as for the shay storyline, i did think of that. not because it reflects anything in my own life. it came from a place of thinking "now what?" for the character. i couldn't imagine where she would go after the way 3rd season ended. i thought she needed redemption. she needed to step up to the plate, and put someone before herself. from there, ilene thought up the paige arc, cause without sex where would we be?

3.) I've recently been re-watching season 2 and noticed the Gush t-shirt Shane wore couple of times. Just wondered if it was your idea to wear the shirt with Leisha's old band logo on it or how it came about?
Katherine: i really don't remember. but i'm sure leisha donated it to wardrobe.

4.) You seem to play a lot of roles where an androgynous look is an integral part of the character (transexual, girl masquerading as boy, etc.). Do you pick these roles or do these roles pick you?
Katherine: i think it may be a 50/50 exchange. but i'm getting to a place where i want to step away from that. and go beyond what is expected of me.

5.) Do you believe in soulmates and/or love at first sight?
Katherine: i believe in soulmates and i think they can take form in any kind of relationship. love at first sight is something i have yet to experience, but i'm sure i'll know when i first see them.



February 16, 2007

1.) I absolutely love your work and find you very inspiring. I know a lot of your fans are interested in seeing you on talk shows or television interviews. Would that be something you may be interested in for the future? Or do you prefer to steer clear of talk shows?
Katherine: i wouldn't have a problem doing talk shows. the real question would be, are they even interested?

2.) Did you see any good films while you were at Sundance? Anything you want to tell us to look out for?
Katherine: i didn't see one film at sundance. our schedule was all over the place and we could never coordinate times.

3.) Do you tend to dwell in the past, live in the present, or plan your future? Any regrets?
Katherine: i seem to do all 3 at once. in hindsight, i never have regrets.

4.) The L Word has a few kids in the cast now. Is it easy or hard for you to work with them? Any interesting "kid" scene stories to share?
Katherine: when working with child actors, they are required to only work for, i think, 8 hours a day, maybe less. so whenever we had scenes together, they moved quickly to make the deadline. i found it a pleasure to work with aidan [Jarrar, Shane's little brother]. he is just as darling off camera as he was on. he really won me over. he is a great kid.

5.) First, I wanted to let you know Shane is by far my favorite character on the show, and I think you're doing a phenomenal job! It's too bad that in Holland (where I live) they haven't even broadcasted the third season of TLW yet (I bought the DVD in America) But I was wondering, what was the hardest scene or episode for you to shoot, and why?
Katherine: 1st of all thank you for your sweet words. i think any scene involving water, big planet scenes, food or night exteriors are the most difficult because the water is usually freezing; the planet scenes are just long, hot days and more for camera coverage; food is all about continuity that can make you ill after a while and night time shots usually mean you're gonna be up till 5 or 6 in the morning. but it's all for fun and that's the point.



February 02, 2007

1.) Would you consider yourself rebellious? As a child or teenager? Now?
Katherine: i was much more so when i was younger. i think i have mellowed out a bit now but i still disdain authority when it's pushed on me.

2.) What was the highlight, for you, of 2006?
Katherine: in a strange way, all of it. it was a challenging year for me but i know the changes i went through only make me who i am now. so i embrace all of it and know that it was meant to be.

3.) Do you surf the 'net? What are some of your favorite sites?
Katherine: i have become obsessed with ebay recently. but i check out the message boards sometimes. i read my horoscope every day and go on cnn.com.

4.) In a recent Interview, you talked about high school and having had a "typical Catholic-American upbringing". How has being raised Catholic shaped you?
Katherine: everyone is free to believe in whatever makes them feel fulfilled and happy, but for me i don't get much out of organized religions. so in no way, shape or form, did it help mold me into the person i am today.

5.) How did you get involved in the OurChart.com project? What are your duties as a founding partner? What type of information are you going to post on the site and, what are your expectations about this new project?
Katherine: ilene asked jennifer, leisha and me to be part of it, and i think it sounds really exciting. right now the social networking aspect isn't up yet so it seems like another l word website. but i know that once the networking aspect is up and running, that will be the focus and the l word content will be the pepper to keep it fresh.
i personally have a few things i'm a part of that will go up soon, they are just being fine tuned. but i will contribute asap. so if anyone of you are checking it out and are annoyed that everything isn't working, please hang in there with us. it's brand new and the technology people want everything to be perfect instead of half-assed rushing that crashes. but i promise, it won't be much longer.



January 19, 2007

1.) Are there any cool/funny behind the scene stories from the filming of season 4 that you can share with us?
Katherine: there is always laughter on set. but i can't recall anything specific this year. i know, it's not the answer you want to hear, but i'm being honest.

2.) Of all the roles you've played, what role has been the most difficult for you, and why?
Katherine: i found the role in guardians to be the most demanding thus far. the subject matter was very intense, and i have never worked harder. but looking back, i loved every second of it.

3.) I read in your recent interview in "Interview" Magazine that you enjoy decorating. Do you have a particular style that inspires you? Minimalist, classical, contemporary? What is important in your environment and how do you create the feeling that you want?
Katherine: i appreciate it all. i have a little bungalow, so my goal is to use all different styles. recently my attention has been on these eames chairs i found and my landscaping. once my bamboo and plants grow i will be very happy.

4.) My friends and I all turned 30 this year and we all celebrated in different ways. For your 30th, was it a big bash, close friends and family, or low key and just wait for it to pass? Any thoughts about turning 30?
Katherine: actually, i didn't turn 30 this year. i turned 29. i've noticed my birth year is 1976 online, when it's really 1977. i have a birth certificate to prove it. so, i didn't have a big party this year. it was very mellow. but i think next year when i really do turn 30, a small party/dinner sounds good. or i may just say the hell with it, and let it go by quietly

L3 UK Convention ~~~Leisha Q&A~~

By BetteAndTinaForever

Disclaimer: The sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really, really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations. For example, Erin, Kate, and Leisha were on the stage together when someone asked a question. Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating all of them.

About The L Word and the cast

Leisha stated before that she is really happy with the storylines that were given to her over the years and has been blessed with many wonderful cast members to act with. One of them is Cybill Shepherd who is absolutely awesome, and when Leisha found out that they were going to be paired for a storyline in season 4, she was star struck. Cybill carries herself like a movie star and she is old-school Hollywood and very eccentric. The storyline was great, Leisha said, because it showed older people coming out of the closet. Unfortunately, Cybill and she only worked together a little this year for Season 5.

Leisha said again that if she had a chance to play someone else on the show she would play Tina because she likes her long term relationship with Bette and how motherly Tina is. By the way, when she was asked about TiBette in the new season, Leisha replied again that it is a good year for them, and we will be happy.

Leisha informed us that the upcoming season is the best so far because it’s like season 1, only on crack. They didn’t really expect the show to be this big and popular and were amazed when they first made a cover of some magazine.

Leisha also said in response to a question about Jenny that Mia is well aware of how the fans feel about her character, but in Leisha’s opinion Jenny makes the show.

Of course, no Q&A session can go without at least one sex question and if it’s easier to do it with a friend or a stranger. Leisha replied that sex scenes are very technical, and it’s better for her when she’s doing it with a cast member who is a friend.

Filming Dana’s death scene was very painful and Leisha couldn’t believe that Erin’s character was leaving. Leisha said that she felt bad for Alice and herself at the same time. She couldn’t believe it was real…well, it wasn’t real since it’s just a show but it felt real because their friend was leaving in real life.

About Alice

Throughout all the seasons Alice has evolved, she had grown up a lot, especially since she lost her best friend. Leisha said that she really enjoys playing this character who is by far her favorite. When Leisha first got the part of her character, she and Alice were really different, but as the show has progressed she has become more and more like Alice and found more similarities between the two of them. Just like Kate said, when you are playing one character for so long, you become her and she becomes you.

Leisha’s favorite Alice’s moment from the new season is the teaser they shoot with Kate from the fan fiction contest winner on the fanisode website. They made a sequence out of it, and they had to dress up; it was really funny.

During the Q&A with Leisha and Cam there was also a funny moment when a fan from Poland told Leisha that she has been pronouncing Alice’s Polish last name wrong. Leisha made a very funny face, like her jaw dropped and she said, “I’m so embarrassed…but I have an excuse. Alice was raised by her mom. Maybe we should issue an apology at the end of the show. It’s all Ilene’s fault.”

During the Q&A with Leisha, Kate and Erin, someone made a comment that Leisha is really great in her love scenes and asked something about what did she do to make Dana horny. Leisha pretended to think, and then she looked at Erin and asked her, “What did I do to make you horny?” Erin was all casual, “Oh, nothing special really. You gave me flowers and some other stuff, cheap stuff” and then they continued to make more jokes, as usual. And they both said that they wished Dana and Alice would stay together, especially if Dana was alive.

About Leisha and Uh Huh Her

During the Q&A when Leisha and her band mate, Cam, were together on the stage, they were asked a lot of questions about their band, how they had met, where they would like to go on a tour and what music inspires them.

Leisha said that she likes Cure and New Order. They would like to perform in many places, including Scotland. The name of their band came from the song by PJ Harvey, and they chose it because there were three of them in the beginning (but now they are looking for a new drummer). Cam and Leisha got together almost a year ago, so it pretty much was almost their anniversary.

The idea of Alice’s famous Chart that was introduced in season 1 came from the real Chart that the cast and a crew made. Leisha said that she has a chart of herself, and she can link herself to Elvis Presley and Madonna, though Leisha didn’t elaborate on all the links.

Leisha was asked if she had a birthmark and she said that she has a very special, one and it’s very cute but when she was asked to show it, Leisha turned to Cam and asked, “Should I do it? It’s a little bigger than a freckle, it’s really cute…”. After a few minutes of describing it and asking more times if she should show it, Leisha finally revealed that the birth mark is right in the middle of her right butt cheek.

Both Leisha and Cam were asked if they are single and what qualities they like in women. Leisha again replied that she’s not single and that she likes many qualities in women. One of them is a sense of humor; someone who makes her laugh.

There was one question that I could finally hear. Someone asked who would Leisha like to be stuck in an elevator with? She mentioned Liza Minnelli, Axl Rose and David Hockney. Then she added that not with all of them together because that would be scary.

When Leisha was growing up she identified with Jo from The Facts of Life and she also said that if she watched The L Word when she was growing up, she would be psyched. And she is also blessed with a family and friends who support her and watch the show.

The only embarrassing moment with her fans she could remember was when one fan many years ago mentioned that she tattooed Leisha’s name under her arm pit.

If she could have a superpower Leisha wanted to have an ability to fly. If she could play another character on any movie or show, Leisha would play Emma Horton, Debra Winger’s character from Terms of Endearment.

L3 UK Convention – Erin’s Q&A sessions

By BetteAndTinaForever

Disclaimer: Many of you may already know it, but the sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations when, for example, Erin, Kate and Leisha were on the stage together and when someone asked a question, Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating them.

About The L Word and the cast

First of all, let me tell you that Erin Daniels is the funniest person. The way she answered the questions or made jokes with Kate and Leisha was priceless. All three of them are really good friends, Erin and Kate were hanging out all the time and they were all joking about getting sick of seeing each other’s faces so often. Erin and Leisha also keep in touch all the time because they all live in LA and when the filming is over, they spend more time together.

Erin misses working on The L Word and misses her friends, especially when they go to Vancouver to shoot for 6 months, but she eventually had to move on. They are all busy with new projects and she has other things to do but once in a while she still misses it and gets really nostalgic. It was really hard for her to let go because Erin enjoyed being part of The L Word.

One more time all three of them talked about the controversial commentary on the second season DVD. Erin said that it was done right after she found out that Dana would die in the next season and they let their bitterness and pain show. Erin mentioned that since then they had already apologized to people who might have been offended by the commentary, but what’s done is done.

When she was talking about Alice; Dana was asked who would be a good partner for Alice if Tasha wasn’t there, Erin replied that she would love to see Alice and Shane together because they are already such good friends. Kate disagreed with that though when she said that it would be impossible for Leisha and her to get through any scenes together because they wouldn’t stop laughing.

About Dana

Erin confirmed once again that Dana won’t be back in season 5 in any capacity, not even as a friendly neighborhood ghost. All in all, she preferred not to be written out of the show if she had a say in it and if she had to change it, she would be written out differently, maybe add a little more humor. However, Erin also admitted that it was still done really well and it was really a challenge to play. Dana was fighting to survive and it was done the best way it could happen.

Erin found out about her storyline in season 3 a few months before they began shooting and it was really hard for her and for the cast. Knowing that it would soon end, they hung out a lot together that season. At the end the producers threw her a party that was more like a dinner, and it was really sweet and nice but also very sad. After the dinner the real party was thrown by her friends and cast members and it was also really sad.

About Erin

As I mentioned in my report, Erin’s hair was blonde and curly at the convention. And again, at the risk of repeating myself, Erin is very, very funny. During the Q&A with Kate and Leisha everybody was laughing so hard and sometimes Erin didn’t even say anything at all, she would make a face and it was enough for everyone to start laughing.

If Erin would have a superpower, she would want to be able to see everyone naked. Kate called it ‘an x-ray vision’. Erin is also very blessed with her family and friends who supported her when she was doing the show and her family watches it, as well. If she would have a chance to be in another movie, Erin said that she would be in Finding Nemo, though she didn’t specify who she would play there. I think she would make an excellent Dory.

Erin also was asked about any embarrassing moments with fans and she replied that she only had good moments. Of course, some of them were goofy but they were all nice. She said that she gets recognized at the grocery stores a lot and everyone is very nice so the most embarrassing moment would be the ‘sign my a**’ comments from fans.

When she was growing up her idols were Lily Tomlin, Cyndi Lauper (who still rocks), and Madonna. If she wasn’t an actress, Erin would be an architect or a furniture designer, which she is doing sometimes anyway in her spare time.

When asked what she would choose – sex or chocolate – Erin gave the most wonderful answer…Yes. When fan asked again which one she meant, Erin said, “Yes…I mean, really. Why choose when you can have both at the same time.”

So, yes, Erin was wonderful and very funny. She was surprised and pleased by the fans’ welcome reaction, considering that her character is long gone, but Dana will always be one of the favorite characters on The L Word, whether she’s still part of the cast or not.

Not L Word related but when I finally got around to watching Saving Grace...she made an appearance.

If you want to see Erin go to Saving Grace on TNT. Click on episode 111 I had a problem and couldn't view it, hope you have better luck.



Peace, Light & Love

Patty

:: L G B T E A S E ::
#5.1

SYNOPSIS

As the fifth season opens, Helena's adjustment to prison life is not exactly a smooth one, while Bette and Tina sweat their way through the rigorous preschool admissions process for Angelica; a lonely Tina ponders the rigors of seeking a new relationship.

Not long after extolling the virtues of Joyce during Alice's podcast, Phyllis begins to have doubts about their relationship and wonders if she should explore other sexual and romantic options, even as Joyce plans a festive "coming out" party for her at The Planet.

Classically unable to avoid temptation, Shane hooks up with a sexy real estate agent, but is discovered in the act by Paige, who furiously puts an end to their relationship. But Shane hasn't heard the last of the scorned and humiliated single mom.

Jenny returns from Mexico with a much-abused assistant in tow and a creative bombshell: she is involved with the Greek hedge fund billionaire who is financing Tina's movie company, a development that puts Jenny's script "Lez Girls" back on the fast-track for production – with Jenny attached to direct. The only person happy to see Jenny back home, in the meantime, is Shane.

Her friends try to find a new lover for Tina, but her heart's just not in the dating game, and Shane's attempt to fly "wingman" for her at Phyllis's coming-out party works out as badly as anyone would have predicted. A spark between her and Bette blows out when Jodi returns home and resumes trying to break Bette of her type-A tendencies.

Two new entrepreneurs from Miami open "Shebar," a rival lesbian nightclub near The Planet, causing Kit to be concerned about the future of her business – a worry that Shane no longer has when WAX goes up in flames, the result of arson.

Instead of being deployed to Iraq as expected, Tasha shows up Alice's apartment for a charged reunion – but what is she doing home when her unit is on its way to the Middle East?

:: L O O K O U T , H E R E T H E Y C O M E ! ::
#5.2

SYNOPSIS

Shane accepts a last-minute gig as a wedding hair stylist for the wealthy family of Jenny and Tina's producer William Halsey, and finds herself literally up to her ears in illicit sex with the bridesmaids – and even the mother of the bride. But she's soon dodging the clingiest of her lovers, advising the distraught, reluctant bride to go through with the ceremony, and fleeing for her life when her paramours figure out that she's been double and triple-timing them.

Meanwhile, Shane's friends speculate about the burning of WAX, which everyone attributes to Paige. And an attempt at a love connection ends in disappointment for Tina, who can't manage to disguise her lingering attraction to and love for Bette. When Bette shows up at The Planet with Jodi, her appearance puts an end to Tina's increasingly awkward first (and last) date.

Tasha's solicitation of legal advice from a colleague on base reveals the truth about why she wasn't deployed to Iraq – she's being investigated by the military for suspected homosexual conduct. And it's quickly clear that even old friends won't be willing to defend her. Alice struggles to accept Tasha's desire to remain in the service and lie about her true nature.

Adele, an eccentric new hipster patron of The Planet and a recent émigré from Florida, turns out to be Jenny's number one literary fan and quickly lands herself the job of the writer's new, disturbingly devoted assistant.

Determined to date other people and not make the same mistakes she did during her long and unhappy marriage, Phyllis breaks up with Joyce, who doesn’t take the news well.

When she is viciously attacked by a gang in the prison shower, Helena is rescued by her hulking, reticent cell mate Dusty, and the two are soon bonding over vintage movie stars – as well as Dusty's muscular physique.

:: L A D Y O F T H E L A K E ::
#5.3

SYNOPSIS

Her friends are skeptical when, in the wake of her recent drama at a wedding reception, Shane swears off sex and embraces a healthier lifestyle of exercise and meditation. Her new drive and mental agility are hard to deny, however.

Max ponders a same-sex attraction to Jodi's cute, gay interpreter Tom, who is clearly smitten. At first resistant, Max's resolve begins to crumble under Tom's affectionate attention.

Jodi's annual lakeside retreat with a group of close lifelong friends is a disaster thanks to an uptight and very boundary-conscious Bette, who gets a reprieve of sorts when Kit is robbed by thieves at The Planet – which is temporarily closed due to the incident.

Helena's mother finally turns up to bail her daughter out of jail, but the inmate's got a surprise for everyone: she wants to stay with her new cellmate and lover Dusty. When she's forcibly bailed out, Helena schemes to recover the millions she stole, spring Dusty out of jail, and disappear for good.

Tasha clashes with her long-time friend and colleague Beech, who is now assigned against his will to defend her against the military's claim of homosexual behavior. Despite the truth of the allegation, a distraught Tasha is determined to fight the case despite being forced to lie and preserve her cherished career.

After surfing the net for a date, Tina hooks up with a gorgeous, surgically enhanced doctor whose unexpected interest in art collecting soon has them bonding and more.

:: L E T S G E T T H I S P A R T Y S T A R T E D ::
#5.4

SYNOPSIS

While enrolled in a self-defence class with Kit, the gang discusses plans to attend the opening of SheBar, a rival new lesbian club competing with The Planet, which is still temporarily closed. Bette hears for the first time that Tina is dating Brenda, an attractive heart surgeon.

Alice receives a menacing visit from a pair of condescending military investigators who bully their way into her apartment, searching for signs of her relationship with Tasha. Alice is left shaken and enraged, inspiring Tasha to confront her lackluster legal defender Beech, whose reluctance to get more involved than necessary begins to diminish.

Bette handles a complaint from a student who claims to have been traumatized by a work of violent performance art in Jodi's classroom, but Jodi dismisses the charge as overwrought. Meanwhile, she and Bette's romantic relationship is still strained in the wake of their truncated weekend getaway to the lake.

Disappointed to be turned down for the lead in "Lez Girls" by an A-list actress, Jenny nevertheless resists the studio's pressure to cast a talented unknown, upcoming "Bond girl" Nikki Stevens – but she reconsiders when Nikki seeks out Jenny at SheBar and reveals a little-known personal secret.

While a self-protection-minded Kit shops for a gun, Alice and Tasha attend a top-secret party thrown by Hollywood power player Barry Burd, whose hush-hush gatherings are safe havens for those in the closet to let their hair down.

After days without sexual gratification, Shane begins to show signs of mental, physical and emotional distress – but an encounter with the debutante party-girl owners of SheBar may provide the relief she needs.

Meanwhile, in a secluded side-room at SheBar, former couple Bette and Tina share an illicit kiss…

:: L O O K I N ' A T Y O U K I D ::
#5.5

SYNOPSIS

Jenny rehearses her cast for "Lez Girls" and throws a wild bash to introduce her cast to their real-life counterparts, which results in delight for some (Shane – who is amused when the actress portraying her insists she's only "gay for pay"), consternation for others (Bette – who is disgusted that the actress playing her is not black) and bittersweet melancholy for one (Alice – who is shocked at the resemblance to Dana of the actress playing her late lover).

When a celebrity athlete uses a nasty homophobic slur in an ugly, publicly anti-gay statement, Alice uses evidence of his secret gay life to "out" him on her web site. When her post goes viral and results in a media firestorm, Alice is suddenly thrust into the spotlight as a gay rights advocate – but the attention and Alice's militant stance are too much for Tasha, who is still trying to fly under the military's radar. The incident causes the couple to break up.

The fallout over the violent performance art in Jodi's class worsens, with the Board of Trustees and Phyllis now dragged into the situation. Torn between trying to protect her lover/employee from herself, and recognizing her urge to intervene may be a result of type-A control issues, Bette needs advice and finds that Tina is the only one to whom she can turn.

The party-girl owners of SheBar continue to rip off all of Kit's innovative business ideas, including serving breakfast and a drive-through window – but their mutual attraction to Shane, who unsuccessfully attempts to remain neutral, threatens to derail a business partnership that is thus far proving quite lucrative.

Though the rest of the gang dismisses his suspicions, Max grows increasingly wary of Jenny's overly attentive new assistant Adele, and manages to prove that some of Adele's self-professed backstory is a blatant lie. Adele covers the discrepancy smoothly, and no one else seems to care – Tina even asks her to keep an eye on Jenny and secretly alert her to any developments about which the studio would be concerned.

Phyllis is stunned when Joyce uses their break-up as leverage in winning back her divorce case.

When Jenny and her star/protégé Nikki hook up in a closet during the party, their love making is witnessed by none other than Adele, who takes a disturbing interest in the scene.

:: L I G H T S ! C A M E R A ! A C T I O N ! ::
#5.6

SYNOPSIS

Production finally gets underway on "Lez Girls," but Jenny struggles with location issues, an emotionally needy star, and a cast made up of several straight actresses experiencing great difficulty feigning erotic passion on camera with their female partners.

Working on the film as its hair designer, Shane is only to happy to lend a creative hand by demonstrating the proper techniques for a public display of lesbian sensuality with a willing and attractive actress.

Unable to control or suppress their desires any longer, Bette and Tina end up in each other's arms – only to suffer the guilt of infidelity when they realize how seriously Bette is betraying Jodi.

The latter doesn't make things easier when she nobly offers to resign from her professorship in order to take political heat off Bette in the wake of a student's controversial "feigned suicide" performance art. Phyllis is willing to accept Jodi's decision but Bette refuses to consider the possibility.

A wild house party is a raucous good time for Phyllis until her daughter arrives at an inopportune moment and witnesses her mother's uninhibited behavior, driving a wedge between them even as Phyllis's high-profile divorce from Leonard is still looming.

Shane receives a double-dose of the conniving, greedy, and slightly deranged scheming of SheBar owners Cindy and Dawn – so she's the first to suspect foul play when rats are discovered at The Planet and the restaurant is immediately shut down by the health department. A furious Kit knows it's time for the gloves to come off.

On the set of "Lez Girls," Adele's low-key but unsettling obsession with Jenny becomes more obvious when she mimics her idol's haircut (with a little help from Shane). Nevertheless, Adele saves the day when she spins the revelation of Jenny and Nikki's sexual relationship in a positive direction.

By BetteAndTinaForever

Disclaimer: Many of you may already know it, but the sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations when, for example, Erin, Kate and Leisha were on the stage together and when someone asked a question, Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating them.

About The L Word and the Cast

Laurel and Eric had their Q&A sessions together both days and Laurel was asked a lot of questions about Bette/Jennifer and Helena/Rachel. Laurel said that she loves Rachel Shelley because they spent a lot of time together during season 2. Then Eric was asked if he had a chance to convert any of The L Word girls, who would he. He replied that they are all great and gorgeous but after a few minutes of thinking he added that he would choose Rachel because he didn’t have a chance to work with her. And Laurel said, “I’ve been there…maybe you should try it while pregnant with a baby.”

One fan also asked Laurel if she would choose Bette or Helena and Laurel replied that there was no comparison; that Tina will forever be in love with Bette. At the same time, Laurel spent a lot of time with Rachel when she was pregnant and it was great. That’s why Laurel thinks that her daughter, Lola, lights up every time she hears Rachel’s voice; even if she hasn’t seen her in months.

As many of you know, Laurel’s daughter and husband were acting with her in season 3. Lola even has a credit on the imdb.com website and Laurel explained how it happened. Laurel’s favorite director and writer, Rose Troche, directed that episode and Lola was on the set that day because she was 6 months old and Laurel was still breastfeeding. They were filming the scene with kids and Rose suggested that Lola and Paul, Laurel’s husband, be part of it. It was unexpected but great that they were extras on the show. Lola is no longer comes to the set because she gets bored.

Having a daughter has changed Laurel and it also made it feel more real for her when she was playing a mother on a show, especially with both Lola and Olivia, one of the twins who play Angelica, being the same age. They are only 2 weeks apart and have become friends; subsequently Laurel sometimes feels like she’s playing a real mother with the storyline overlapping her real life. At the end of season 3 Bette kidnapped Angelica and Tina was scared. Laurel felt such an immediate connection with that storyline that it was hard to “pretend” that someone was taking her daughter away; it elicited a very “real” response from Laurel. Laurel said that this was actually the reason why Tina was holding onto Henry for so long; it was out of fear.

Olivia and her twin, Ava, are now old enough to walk. Quite often while Laurel and Jennifer are talking during filming of a scene, “Angelica” gets up and just walks away from the set. It was easier to film when “Angelica” was just a baby because she would put her to bed or gave her some snack but now she doesn’t always wants to stay on the set.

One day they were filming a scene in a car and “Angelica” was talking the whole time so Laurel and Jennifer could barely get their lines in, waiting for her to finish her improv. It’s also hard to pick Olivia up and make her behave because she’s not their real daughter and that child/mother connection isn’t there; but at the same time, it’s easier for Laurel to relate because she is a mother. Even though “Angelica” is familiar with both Laurel and Jennifer, they obviously don’t see her every day. There was a scene when she picked Olivia up, walked around talking about pancakes and Olivia was talking back, not looking at the boom as most kids always do. Laurel thinks that since she’s a mother it’s easier to connect and she pretty much does the same things she would do with her own daughter.

When asked about Marlee Matlin, Laurel said that she is amazing. Laurel and Marlee share a make-up trailer and so they would see each other everyday. Laurel asked her advice a lot because Marlee has four kids. Laurel said that Marlee is a pro and an amazing role model as a mother. Laurel also learned how to speak so Marlee could more easily read her lips and said it was amazing to watch Jennifer and Marlee sign to each other. Marlee also taught Laurel some signs but they are mostly dirty so she wouldn’t share them with the audience.

Laurel confirmed what Leisha said about season 5 that it’s just like season 1 but on crack. Season 5 is a movie within a movie and a set within a set. There are similarities with the movie The Player. Also, a lot of crew members are playing themselves so it seems like a big party with so many friends and crew members together. Ilene was really loose about it. One day they were shooting in front of the craft service and Leisha and Laurel couldn’t figure out if they were filming or on a break.

As far as the writing this season, Tina said Ilene’s writing is brilliant and there are wonderful parallels and intersections going on with the storylines. Laurel said that she loved season 5 because there’s more humor and she believes it’s the best season so far.

Laurel was also asked about changing storylines if the cast members don’t believe their characters would act in a particular way and Laurel replied that it’s the part of their job to give their input. There’s a creator on a show but if there’s a problem with something, they have a chance to collaborate and to ask questions. Most of the time they get some compelling answers as to why things are done a certain way. They all understand that Ilene is the creator and has final say, but it helps to ask questions and understand the reasoning. Ilene has the bigger picture and if they don’t shake things up a bit some character’s storylines run the risk of getting boring. So Ilene sets up the drama. Ilene knows the future and where the story will go but the actors only know so far ahead where the stories are going. Laurel gave an example that it would be boring to watch Bette and Tina stay together and do nothing but come home with the baby, watch TV, bake cookies and rub each other’s feet – the fans would get sick of them pretty fast. Drama helps to shake things up but Ilene keeps the door open and collaborates a lot, especially in season 5.

Someone asked about bringing a teenager into the show and Laurel said that the possibility of a teenager on The L Word is a great idea. It would be a wonderful idea if they could find a way to bring a character in and have them blend with the group.

Laurel once again mentioned how important the show is. It was much needed and Laurel just wished it could have come out sooner. She said that her manager read the script, called her and said, “You’re going to love it”; she did and wanted to be part of it. She has support from her friends and family and she even has a couple of straight friends who said they wanted to be gay.

After the Pilot everyone seemed to be excited and the industry people realized that something big was going to happen and that the show would have a good run. Sometimes it’s hard to say how long show will survive after the Pilot, sometimes they only air a few episodes and it’s over but with The L Word everyone seemed to think that wouldn’t be the case with this show. It was originally called Earthlings but the name was changed because it sounded like it was from outer space and everyone would think of Star Trek.

Laurel was asked about the show not representing everyone in the lesbian community. Laurel replied that the show concentrates on a very specific area, Los Angeles. When it first came out there was a lot of lipstick and not many butch characters. Now there’s Max, Ivan and other diverse characters. Laurel quoted Rose Troche who said, “You can never please all the ladies.” Laurel added that everyone has different lesbian experiences and hopefully someone can find the commonality of their experiences through the show’s stories. If not, at least it’s a celebration of lesbian life.

Laurel also had a question about the importance of introducing characters from other countries and she said that it would be amazing and she was surprised it hadn’t happened. The show reaches a lot of countries and just recently the cast did a considerable amount of press in Japan. It also would be wonderful to have versions of The L Word in other countries but many countries don’t have a liberal climate.

If there is a season 6, Laurel would definitely be a part of it unless, as she joked, they kick her out.

About Tina and TiBette

Of course there’s no Q&A with Laurel without asking questions about Tina and Bette.

She was talking a lot about Tina in season 1 because someone mentioned that Tina was a doormat but it seems that she is stronger now. Laurel said that it was difficult to play someone who was losing her own identity in her relationship. She felt like a doormat but Ilene said it was essential to Bette and Tina’s relationship and occurs in many relationships – gay and straight. She said that as part of her character’s arc. Ilene wanted to see Tina’s growth. She was a doormat and she was cheated on; now she has a job and a baby. Laurel wants Bette and Tina to be together but to achieve this Tina has to become the autonomous person she was when they first met, which is ultimately more attractive to Bette.

She pointed out that Bette changed a lot as well. She is more vulnerable now. One of Laurel’s favorite scenes was in season 4 when Tina said to Bette that she was a control freak. They began to actually talk and listen to each other and respect each other’s opinions in ways they hadn’t. In season 5 Tina changes even more and becomes a complete ballbuster at work.

Laurel was also talking about the initial “chemistry test” with Jennifer Beals. Jennifer was shooting another movie prior to Laurel’s audition to play Tina. Laurel drove all the way to the set to meet her. There was another person there to audition and when they all went to Jennifer’s trailer, her dogs barked at the other person but not at Laurel. So Laurel joked that she passed the German Sheppard test. Jennifer and she talked and were videotaped by the network. They clicked and the chemistry that we all see now was readily apparent to Ilene and the network.

If you read my interview with Laurel, you remember that I asked her about the tractor scene in the season 4 Finale and what she thought of it. I asked that question because it was brought up during the Q&A and I wanted her to elaborate a little more on it. At the Q&A Laurel said, “I’ m not supposed to like that scene. I love Marlee, I like to watch Marlee and Jennifer together; they are good at their craft but ultimately I think Bette and Tina belong together.”

Another popular subject that’s always brought up is Laurel’s real life pregnancy. Laurel said that it was hard at the time and now, when she looks back on filming the sex scene with Jennifer in episode 209, she realizes that she was very naïve. She is also very proud because she was a part of something very special in filming a love scene while pregnant. Still, it was hard and that’s why when Jennifer got pregnant the next year, she came back and said “I’m not doing it, are you crazy?”

Laurel added again, “In looking back at that; I’m proud. I was thinking, let’s break the barrier and show how sexy pregnant women are.” When one of the fans mentioned that she is in good shape now, Laurel laughed and said, “When I found out that I would be in a bikini in the first episode of the new season, I was like, ‘Wow, I need to get in form’.”

If you haven’t seen Laurel’s pictures from the convention yet, go and see them because let me assure you – she is in excellent form this year.

The natural birth scene was another question that came up while Laurel was talking about her pregnancy. She said that they intended to film it while she was still pregnant but Lola was born 2 weeks earlier and Laurel was on hiatus for 5 weeks. They had to film later and Laurel had a fake belly but by then she had already given birth and knew how crazy and unpredictable it could be.

When they resumed filming, Jennifer Beals held Laurel’s hand through the ‘c-section birth’ scene. Laurel was tired and she didn’t want to re-enact the c-section because it also happened to her in real life and it was intense. She had a two week old baby and they were still shooting for 16 hours. Laurel turned to Jennifer for support. Laurel said Jennifer has a very maternal, nurturing and very protective nature and she helped Laurel to get through that scene.

If any of you remember an interview with Laurel that was done by TVGuide.com right before season 3 was aired, she was asked, “So now that Jennifer Beals is pregnant, you'll have to deal with her hormonal issues on the set. Fair play?” Laurel laughed and said, “We're pretty good at it now. I'll take care of her this year, because she really took care of me.” Seems like they really did take care of each other.

Laurel also told us about her favorite photograph that Jennifer took during season 2 when all the main cast members put their hands on Laurel’s pregnant stomach. Jennifer shot it in black and white and now it’s enlarged and hanging in Laurel’s living room. There is this energy around her pregnant belly and Kate is giggling in the corner. By the way, Kate felt the first kick.

I already mentioned Jobadge’s question about Jennifer’s a** in jeans but she also asked Laurel how it was to kiss Jennifer. Laurel replied that it was fantastic. It’s been a great journey for them. Jennifer is great and it’s nice to kiss her.

In season 4 Tina misses Bette, their communication and their happy scenes. Laurel even said that towards the end they were asking Ilene to show more of a connection between them and to try other things. They wanted her to show how their relationship was developing into a friendship. The scene in episode 408, which is referred to as the ‘tender moment’ was one of Laurel’s favorite scenes. She tried to play it that Tina missed all the girls because she didn’t live her truth. It was nice when Bette put her arms around her and it brought back all their history but then Jodi walked in…so…what can you do?

In season 4 we didn’t see a lot of Tina in the beginning since she was cast out because of Henry. Laurel said that she knew it would be hard to play and personally she didn’t want it to happen but that it was important. She talked to a lot of women, especially the one she knew who had a kid and went back to men. It happened to Ilene’s friends and she wanted to tell that story. Laurel also told about another woman who was a friend of one of the producers who identified herself as a lesbian but at one point she dated men, then she went back to women and then back to men again.

In addition, this story was also told to show the different reactions from Tina’s friends. Shane was less judgmental to Tina but Jenny was hard on her because she was a newbie lesbian and appears very righteous in everything she does. Laurel said that it was interesting to show that Alice shuts Tina out but she is bisexual. The storyline brought out a lot of different issues and Tina was excommunicated. Now she’s missing her friends and ultimately her relationship with Henry went down the drain because it wasn’t her truth.

Finally, Laurel was asked if there was any hope for Bette and Tina. At first, Laurel replied elusively, “Maybe…” and then she added, “There’s always hope for Bette and Tina.” She said how Jennifer told her about some sites, especially youtube where she found all the fans’ videos about TiBette and it was so touching to see all the clips with someone you have chemistry with put to beautiful songs; and ironic because Tina was still with Henry. So, Laurel and Jennifer went to Ilene and asked her to put Bette and Tina back together because it was amazing to see how much those characters meant to the fans.

After she talked about TiBette Laurel asked the audience if we want Bette with Jodi or Tina and nobody cheered for JoBette (oh what a shock!) The overwhelming majority wanted Bette with Tina and they gave TiBette loud applause. Laurel looked happy at that moment.

About Laurel

When Laurel was in The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, she was a tomboy; she said that she has two older brothers and she literally grew up as a tomboy. She liked to ride horses and nobody or nothing could contain her. Laurel loves Randy Dean, who she portrayed in the movie, and gives all credit to Maria Maggenti, the director, who spent 4 weeks with her; took her to Gay Pride in New York and made her watch short films of the filmmaker who looked like James Dean. Laurel basically immersed herself in the character and was really grateful to Maria Maggenti for all her help. By the way, Laurel said that Randy Dean was based on a young Elizabeth Ziff.

Laurel talked a lot about her daughter, Lola. Even from my interview with her it was apparent how much she loves her family. Jennifer also brings her daughter on the set and since their daughters are only a year apart, they play together a lot. Laurel laughed and said that last time the girls played together, Lola ate all of Jennifer’s daughter’s food. Eric Mabius’ son, Max, another close friend also plays with them a lot.

When she has free time during filming in Vancouver, Laurel loves to do outdoor things, like hiking or going to beaches. Vancouver is an amazing city located on the water with clean air, wonderful restaurants and wonderful lakes. You can rent a cabin or go to swim. There’s an interesting area on the West Coast of Vancouver Island called Tofino and it’s very popular for winter storm watching. Vancouver has the typical Pacific Northwest climate and Laurel tries to take advantage of everything there that LA doesn’t provide.

Here’s another question that lots of people wanted to know, is Laurel a natural redhead? Laurel replied, “I’ll answer like Julia Roberts, ‘Whatever hair color I wear I pay for it, baby’.” Then she admitted that she is a brown haired girl. She was still shooting Angel when she was cast for the role of Tina and she changed her hair to blonde because it was a nice contrast to Jennifer’s dark hair. Later she asked if Tina could be a redhead because it was easier for her to play but the network said no; Tina should be blonde.

Laurel also said that just like us she gets star struck and feels like a goofball at some parties when someone like Stephen Spielberg is there. At one party in particular there were so many celebrities that she even started sweating but Marlee Matlin was there to calm her down. Marlee had a good sense of humor about the event and made it fun for all of them.

About Angel

Laurel talked a little about Angel and said that she loved Justine. It was a great role, though she had never seen Angel or Buffy before that. When they asked her to audition for that, Laurel didn’t want to do it at first and her manager told her that she was making a mistake. Laurel finally watched it, went for the audition and it was great that she got the role.

Laurel said that she sees that character as a version of Ripley from Alien. It was a really wonderful experience and Laurel was learning how to fight and use the sword. She had never done anything like that and she had a great time, especially because the creator, Joss Whedon, has a witty style of writing and used a lot of beautiful metaphors.

About Convention

In the interview I asked what Laurel thought about the convention since she went to them all so far. She was also talking a little about it during the Q&A. She said she found it amazing because she thought that fans would boo her off the stage for being with Henry and maybe they wanted Bette to be with Jodi and Laurel said that she was thinking, ‘It’s not me, it’s the character…’. It was so overwhelming and fantastic to see that so many people love the show. Sometimes the actors don’t have time to watch their own show because they spend so much time working.

She also likes to come to the UK Convention because of the recognition outside of LA. The fans are not jaded; they are excited and love the work the cast is doing.

Laurel was asked if Jennifer Beals will ever come to the convention and Laurel replied that Jennifer is open to it but sometimes it’s hard to fit it in because it’s important for her to spent time with her baby, and sometimes their shooting schedule can interfere. Laurel said, “Jennifer asked me a lot of questions about it. I know she’s interested.”

Disclaimer: Many of you may already know it, but the sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations when, for example, Erin, Kate and Leisha were on the stage together and when someone asked a question, Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating them.

About The L Word, the Cast Members and Shane

Kate was cool, calm and sexy and as usual, she reminded me a lot of Shane, especially in her style of dress. One fan commented on that and suggested that Kate should open her own clothing line. Even Kate admitted that after so many years Shane and she sort of became one person…with a few exceptions.

As usual, Kate was asked a lot of questions about storylines involving Shane and new characters like Paige and Papi, as well as the questions about filming the show and some old characters.

The basketball scene in season 4 was really fun to shoot and the coffee cup that Jenny was holding was all Mia’s idea. They came on a set to shoot it and Mia wouldn’t put it down when the camera began rolling and they ended up filming it like this. There were also some college girls that were teaching the cast all the basketball tricks.

The graffiti scene with Shane and Alice was also fun. It took them two days to film it and the director basically told them to do what they wanted with it and she shot it. And the ‘frucking fruck’ expression was all Leisha’s idea to substitute for the F-word.

Even though Kate didn’t have many scenes with Cybill Shepherd, she told us that Cybill is a wild woman. She is very spontaneous, cool and sometimes she would start singing opera out of the blue.

There were some Sharmen (Shane and Carmen) fans in the audience and they asked a few questions about working with Sarah Shahi and how Kate would feel if Carmen would come back. Kate said that personally she loved working with Sarah and she would love to see her come back. However, Sarah has her new show now and Carmen won’t be back. It will never happen. Kate was upset when Shane left Carmen at the altar but she accepted that it’s not in Shane’s nature to make a commitment.

They had tried the stable relationship with Carmen and Paige but it wasn’t working and it was boring. Kate said that it was more fun to play the old Shane and now she is 100% back. After playing Shane for 5 years her character and she sort of blended together and Kate even doesn’t know where she ends and Shane begins.

The usual ‘sex scene’ question was brought up again and Kate was asked, because she is really convincing in her love scenes, does she have to study for it. Kate’s reply was, “You don’t have to study, sex is sex and f***ing is f***ing.”

When Kate mentioned that Shane is 100% back like she was in season 1, only better, someone asked if Shane would like to sleep with anyone on the show she hasn’t yet. Kate laughed and replied, “Bette – to throw each other to see who is Alpha; Tina – to show her a good time; Jenny – to tie each other up.” At this point Erin, who was on stage with Kate, added that if Shane and Jenny would get together they’ll be sitting in the closet on mushrooms.

When asked who else she would play on The L Word apart from Shane, Kate first said that she wanted to play Joyce Wishnia because Jane Lynch is awesome. Then she added, “Actually, I’d like to be Jane Lynch” After the laughter died, Kate also said that she would like to play Angelica because she has short hours and she doesn’t have to walk because she always gets carried around.

During the trio’s Q&A, Kate also commented on Kristanna Loken’s article where the newly departed cast member mentioned how difficult it was to work with the cast of The L Word because of all those female egos and that she never felt accepted. Both Kate and Leisha said that everyone was so surprised because they all work really well together and to read what Kristanna said in the press left a bad taste. Kate added that she was the one who worked with Kristanna the most so that would mean that Kristanna had all the issues with her and she would have appreciated if her co-star would had come and told her about the problems she was having instead of bad-mouthing the whole cast through the press. And the biggest surprise of all was when Kristanna just waltzed back to the set when they began shooting season 5 like nothing had happened at all.

All I can say is thank goodness Paige will be gone after the first episode. I personally never liked that storyline and just like Kate, found it boring.

About Kate

Here’re just some short snippets about Kate:

1. Superpower – to be invisible.
2. She’s not afraid to be stereotyped after playing a lesbian for so many seasons.
3. Kate’s mom tapes the show but refuses to watch sex scenes.
4. Idols growing up – Michael Jackson and Madonna. When Kate saw Thriller, she was like, “Who’s that? I want that jacket.”
5. If she could play any other character she would play Betty Blue or Toni Soprano.
6. Embarrassing moment with her fans was one when someone followed Kate to her house (at that moment Leisha looked at Kate and laughed, “It was me…”)
7. Kate really enjoyed making A Look at Gay Youth Homelessness and she discussed what else they could focus on in the future but for now there’s nothing in the works.
8. If she wasn’t an actress Kate would be a violin maker and carry on her family tradition but in her fantasy she wanted to be a drummer.
9. Kate is very flattered to see so many Shane look- a-likes but she warned them to let their hair grow because it is longer this season.
10. Kate’s favorite surf spot is Baja Mexico and she practices there every time she can.
11. When Kate was asked what she would choose between sex and chocolate, Kate’s reply was, “I hate chocolate.”

By BetteAndTinaForever

Disclaimer: Many of you may already know it, but the sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations when, for example, Erin, Kate and Leisha were on the stage together and when someone asked a question, Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating them.

About The L Word and the cast

First of all, let me tell you that Erin Daniels is the funniest person. The way she answered the questions or made jokes with Kate and Leisha was priceless. All three of them are really good friends, Erin and Kate were hanging out all the time and they were all joking about getting sick of seeing each other’s faces so often. Erin and Leisha also keep in touch all the time because they all live in LA and when the filming is over, they spend more time together.

Erin misses working on The L Word and misses her friends, especially when they go to Vancouver to shoot for 6 months, but she eventually had to move on. They are all busy with new projects and she has other things to do but once in a while she still misses it and gets really nostalgic. It was really hard for her to let go because Erin enjoyed being part of The L Word.

One more time all three of them talked about the controversial commentary on the second season DVD. Erin said that it was done right after she found out that Dana would die in the next season and they let their bitterness and pain show. Erin mentioned that since then they had already apologized to people who might have been offended by the commentary, but what’s done is done.

When she was talking about Alice; Dana was asked who would be a good partner for Alice if Tasha wasn’t there, Erin replied that she would love to see Alice and Shane together because they are already such good friends. Kate disagreed with that though when she said that it would be impossible for Leisha and her to get through any scenes together because they wouldn’t stop laughing.

About Dana

Erin confirmed once again that Dana won’t be back in season 5 in any capacity, not even as a friendly neighborhood ghost. All in all, she preferred not to be written out of the show if she had a say in it and if she had to change it, she would be written out differently, maybe add a little more humor. However, Erin also admitted that it was still done really well and it was really a challenge to play. Dana was fighting to survive and it was done the best way it could happen.

Erin found out about her storyline in season 3 a few months before they began shooting and it was really hard for her and for the cast. Knowing that it would soon end, they hung out a lot together that season. At the end the producers threw her a party that was more like a dinner, and it was really sweet and nice but also very sad. After the dinner the real party was thrown by her friends and cast members and it was also really sad.

About Erin

As I mentioned in my report, Erin’s hair was blonde and curly at the convention. And again, at the risk of repeating myself, Erin is very, very funny. During the Q&A with Kate and Leisha everybody was laughing so hard and sometimes Erin didn’t even say anything at all, she would make a face and it was enough for everyone to start laughing.

If Erin would have a superpower, she would want to be able to see everyone naked. Kate called it ‘an x-ray vision’. Erin is also very blessed with her family and friends who supported her when she was doing the show and her family watches it, as well. If she would have a chance to be in another movie, Erin said that she would be in Finding Nemo, though she didn’t specify who she would play there. I think she would make an excellent Dory.

Erin also was asked about any embarrassing moments with fans and she replied that she only had good moments. Of course, some of them were goofy but they were all nice. She said that she gets recognized at the grocery stores a lot and everyone is very nice so the most embarrassing moment would be the ‘sign my a**’ comments from fans.

When she was growing up her idols were Lily Tomlin, Cyndi Lauper (who still rocks), and Madonna. If she wasn’t an actress, Erin would be an architect or a furniture designer, which she is doing sometimes anyway in her spare time.

When asked what she would choose – sex or chocolate – Erin gave the most wonderful answer…Yes. When fan asked again which one she meant, Erin said, “Yes…I mean, really. Why choose when you can have both at the same time.”

So, yes, Erin was wonderful and very funny. She was surprised and pleased by the fans’ welcome reaction, considering that her character is long gone, but Dana will always be one of the favorite characters on The L Word, whether she’s still part of the cast or not.

By BetteAndTinaForever

Disclaimer: The sound in the main hall of the Norbreck Castle Hotel was really, really bad. Even the cast members couldn’t hear the questions. A lot of time was spent repeating the questions and laughing at some situations. For example, Erin, Kate, and Leisha were on the stage together when someone asked a question. Erin and Leisha were looking to their right while Kate was looking to her left because she couldn’t figure out where the question was coming from. It was hilarious.

Another example of a funny misunderstanding was when our own Jobadge asked Laurel Holloman if Jennifer’s a** looked good in jeans and Laurel repeated, “Did you ask if Jennifer has acid jeans?” Like I said, it was really funny. At one point someone asked Erin Daniels a question that nobody could understand and Erin replied, “Yes, I rode a bicycle when I was 5,” though I’m still not sure what the real question was.

Thus said, I decided to abandon my usual Q&A format and instead give you the summary in order for the answers to make any sense. Also, because Kate, Leisha and Erin were at the LA Convention just a month before Blackpool, there were many questions that they had already answered in LA, so I won’t be repeating all of them.

About The L Word and the cast

Leisha stated before that she is really happy with the storylines that were given to her over the years and has been blessed with many wonderful cast members to act with. One of them is Cybill Shepherd who is absolutely awesome, and when Leisha found out that they were going to be paired for a storyline in season 4, she was star struck. Cybill carries herself like a movie star and she is old-school Hollywood and very eccentric. The storyline was great, Leisha said, because it showed older people coming out of the closet. Unfortunately, Cybill and she only worked together a little this year for Season 5.

Leisha said again that if she had a chance to play someone else on the show she would play Tina because she likes her long term relationship with Bette and how motherly Tina is. By the way, when she was asked about TiBette in the new season, Leisha replied again that it is a good year for them, and we will be happy.

Leisha informed us that the upcoming season is the best so far because it’s like season 1, only on crack. They didn’t really expect the show to be this big and popular and were amazed when they first made a cover of some magazine.

Leisha also said in response to a question about Jenny that Mia is well aware of how the fans feel about her character, but in Leisha’s opinion Jenny makes the show.

Of course, no Q&A session can go without at least one sex question and if it’s easier to do it with a friend or a stranger. Leisha replied that sex scenes are very technical, and it’s better for her when she’s doing it with a cast member who is a friend.

Filming Dana’s death scene was very painful and Leisha couldn’t believe that Erin’s character was leaving. Leisha said that she felt bad for Alice and herself at the same time. She couldn’t believe it was real…well, it wasn’t real since it’s just a show but it felt real because their friend was leaving in real life.

About Alice

Throughout all the seasons Alice has evolved, she had grown up a lot, especially since she lost her best friend. Leisha said that she really enjoys playing this character who is by far her favorite. When Leisha first got the part of her character, she and Alice were really different, but as the show has progressed she has become more and more like Alice and found more similarities between the two of them. Just like Kate said, when you are playing one character for so long, you become her and she becomes you.

Leisha’s favorite Alice’s moment from the new season is the teaser they shoot with Kate from the fan fiction contest winner on the fanisode website. They made a sequence out of it, and they had to dress up; it was really funny.

During the Q&A with Leisha and Cam there was also a funny moment when a fan from Poland told Leisha that she has been pronouncing Alice’s Polish last name wrong. Leisha made a very funny face, like her jaw dropped and she said, “I’m so embarrassed…but I have an excuse. Alice was raised by her mom. Maybe we should issue an apology at the end of the show. It’s all Ilene’s fault.”

During the Q&A with Leisha, Kate and Erin, someone made a comment that Leisha is really great in her love scenes and asked something about what did she do to make Dana horny. Leisha pretended to think, and then she looked at Erin and asked her, “What did I do to make you horny?” Erin was all casual, “Oh, nothing special really. You gave me flowers and some other stuff, cheap stuff” and then they continued to make more jokes, as usual. And they both said that they wished Dana and Alice would stay together, especially if Dana was alive.

About Leisha and Uh Huh Her

During the Q&A when Leisha and her band mate, Cam, were together on the stage, they were asked a lot of questions about their band, how they had met, where they would like to go on a tour and what music inspires them.

Leisha said that she likes Cure and New Order. They would like to perform in many places, including Scotland. The name of their band came from the song by PJ Harvey, and they chose it because there were three of them in the beginning (but now they are looking for a new drummer). Cam and Leisha got together almost a year ago, so it pretty much was almost their anniversary.

The idea of Alice’s famous Chart that was introduced in season 1 came from the real Chart that the cast and a crew made. Leisha said that she has a chart of herself, and she can link herself to Elvis Presley and Madonna, though Leisha didn’t elaborate on all the links.

Leisha was asked if she had a birthmark and she said that she has a very special, one and it’s very cute but when she was asked to show it, Leisha turned to Cam and asked, “Should I do it? It’s a little bigger than a freckle, it’s really cute…”. After a few minutes of describing it and asking more times if she should show it, Leisha finally revealed that the birth mark is right in the middle of her right butt cheek.

Both Leisha and Cam were asked if they are single and what qualities they like in women. Leisha again replied that she’s not single and that she likes many qualities in women. One of them is a sense of humor; someone who makes her laugh.

There was one question that I could finally hear. Someone asked who would Leisha like to be stuck in an elevator with? She mentioned Liza Minnelli, Axl Rose and David Hockney. Then she added that not with all of them together because that would be scary.

When Leisha was growing up she identified with Jo from The Facts of Life and she also said that if she watched The L Word when she was growing up, she would be psyched. And she is also blessed with a family and friends who support her and watch the show.

The only embarrassing moment with her fans she could remember was when one fan many years ago mentioned that she tattooed Leisha’s name under her arm pit.

If she could have a superpower Leisha wanted to have an ability to fly. If she could play another character on any movie or show, Leisha would play Emma Horton, Debra Winger’s character from Terms of Endearment.

Question: So you're here for the L3 convention. Why do you come to this kind of event?
Well, I think that the show gets so much support and love. I think it's our way of just getting back and giving time to the people who invest so much in it.

Question: About The L Word. You just shot season 5. I know you can't talk a lot about it, but what's your opinion on it?
This season is my favourite.

Question: Why?
It's just fun. It's just really really fun. I mean I haven't seen many episodes, so, I don't know how it will be put together but shooting it was just a lot of fun. I think the storylines are fun.

Question: How is Shane at the beginning of Season 5?
(smiling) Wild.

Question: Wild?
Yeah. She's back and full of that.

Question: Leisha just said that this season is like season 1 on crack. Your thoughts?
Yes. Exactly. That's the perfect way to describe it. Season 1 on crack.

Question: What do you think of the development of Shane through the years? Are you happy with it?
Oh. Yeah I am. I like how she's turned out. I like how she gets put in these relationships that always fall apart because it gives her a reason to go back to her wild ways. Yeah, I like her. She's damaged. So it's gonna be a slow evolution.

Question: What do you like and dislike in Shane this season?
Dislike?

Question: Yeah, and like?
I really like how she's back to her old self again this year. It's just fun and it's entertaining and it's nice to be the one who is not in a relationship and who is all over the place. What I don't like?

Question: Yes?
I'm kinda sick of the hairstyling, I have to say. I'm sick of this hair stylish shit. I want her to have a new profession.

Question: Like what?
I don't know. I can only give that away. I seriously want her to have a new job.

Question: Have you talked to Ilene about that?
Oh yeah. She finally bit the bullet and agreed. She said yes, let's do something else.

Question: Shane is such a strong character. Are you afraid of being stuck in this character for many years to come?
Yeah, but I hope not. I hope not. I mean, my hope is that people understand that what we all do is acting, which means portray something. It's basically playing dress up. So I hope that they are a bit more open-minded when it comes to casting me. And once again, it's also my responsibility to prove that I can do other things. So I think it's 50/50.

Question: What kind of other character would you like to play?
I don't know. I don't have any idea. I don't have anything specific. It kind of comes up when it comes up.

Question: About your movie projects. You told me before that you probably won't be attached to Dead Girl's Diary. What's the last word about it?
Independent movies just come and go. It just fell apart.

Question: Speaking of indie movies, how was Sundance?
It was fun. We just went there to promote Our Chart. We had a blast. It was just whacked.

Question: You said in a Q/A on the site that you'll be in 2 movies. We know about Remorse.
Yeah.

Question: What about the other one?
I'm only doing 1 right now. That's why I don't even want to talk about Remorse. Because a film can fall apart. So I'd rather shoot it than talk about it.

Question: You'll play Jamie in Remorse right? I heard you were the first choice?
Yeah. From what I was told, yeah.

Question: Would you like to play in a romantic comedy?
Sure. I'm open to all different type of things. I really am. I don't have one set thing. I'm open to all of it. If the project, the script and the people behind the project are interesting me, and that they care about me… that's all I care about.

Question: About your documentary "Gay Youth Homelessness", this project is shown in a few festivals. How did you get involved in it and why?
I thought it was a really interesting topic that has never really been presented before. And I wanted to do something about it. And my friend who is my producer partner, who directed it - Gigi - she helped me behind it and she did a lot of great work. I just think it's an interesting topic. That's the fun of doing documentaries, to point out what people don't know much about. I think it's time that we do it now. I think it's time people pay attention to it.

Question: You seem to be really touched by all the stories you've heard. What won't you forget about that experience?
I loved everything about doing it. All those kids involved were incredible. They're so much smarter, more in touch of who they were. What I took away from it?

Question: Yes?
I just took… I don't know, it's a really hard question. I just loved this experience… doing it. That means so much, everything from it. The kids… I'll never forget it. Or them. I love *them*.

Question: Let's talk about Leisha's band. What do you think of uh huh her?
It's good. I think they're very good. I love what they're doing.

Question: What's your favourite song?
It's a new one. I don't know how it is called. Hmm. Everything is gonna be all right, I think? It's a new one. I really love it.

Question: What do you think about Leisha on stage?
(huge smile) About Leish? I think she's adorable on stage. She's very comfortable up there. And I never saw her perform before so it's nice to see her doing her music and I think she's great.

Question: You're going to turn 30 at the end of the year. Are you happier now than when you were 20?
Yeah. For sure.

Question: Why?
I just feel like an adult now. A lot happened in 10 years. I feel like a grown-up.

Question: What can you wish for the future?
Prosperity.

Info from l word online

Updated 29 December, 2007

Last weekend I saw Rachel Shelley shopping on Robson street in vancouver, she is drop dead gorgeous! I did talk to her! And I found out a spoiler for season 5 involving Helena. Okay the spoiler is that Rachel will not be coming back for another season after season 5. My source? Well not from her but from one of her NEW co workers, I of course told him that I really wasn't too thrilled about that seeing as tho Helena is my all time favorite character, he laughed and said he would tell her that, he also said that if the new show got picked up they wouldn't be filming here in vancouver! so Im glad I got the chance to see her when I did.

Tasha's on Trial in New `L Word' Season
By KINNEY LITTLEFIELD – 12 hours ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rose Rollins is defensive about her Tasha.

"Attitude? There's a lot more to Tasha than her `attitude,'" Rollins says of the smoldering, secretive soldier she plays on "The L Word."

Then Rollins laughs loudly, passionately.

It's a laugh that viewers rarely heard from tightly wound Tasha Williams last season on the steamy ensemble drama.

It's a laugh that may well be in short supply on the upcoming fifth season of the Showtime series, premiering 9 p.m. EST Sunday, when Tasha is investigated for homosexual conduct under the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

"Tasha definitely comes to a crossroad," Rollins says during a location shoot at Venice Beach. "She will have to re-evaluate her life."

A captain in the Army National Guard and a decorated Iraqi war veteran, Tasha has remained in the closet throughout her military career.

"Her chances of staying in the military are not good," says executive producer Ilene Chaiken. "The only way someone like Tasha can stay in the military, under the `don't ask, don't tell' policy, is to be completely closeted and say, `No, I am not gay. These are lies being told about me.' And once charges have been brought, it becomes harder and harder to prove that (they're lies)."

Tasha's troubles started last season, when Rollins joined the show's cast of romantically tangled characters.

Tasha quickly fell for out-and-proud Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey), who runs a lesbian Web site, after accidentally injuring Alice in a brawl.

As the relationship deepened, Tasha was cautioned by her commanding officer for openly engaging in homosexual conduct. Meanwhile, Alice and Tasha argued bitterly about the war.

On the season premiere, Tasha begins the process of being discharged from the military.

Add in Tasha's implosive "attitude" — she may be suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome — and the new season of "The L Word" does not bode well for the patriotic character.

As the season progresses, Alice is used as evidence against Tasha in a two-episode arc featuring Kelly McGillis ("Witness," "Top Gun") as Col. Gillian Davis, a by-the-book military lawyer.

"Alice ends up on the stand (at Tasha's hearing)," Hailey says. "That's when you see Alice in her full glory. She's not ashamed to speak out. She's not afraid to put her foot in her mouth. She's not afraid to be out of the closet."

From the start, the show's politics also have been very uncloseted.

"I do think of the show as political in many senses," Chaiken says. "But we endeavor to be true to the politics of our characters. And if you want to tell stories about big issues, you should tell them from the point of view of relationships."

As always, stormy relationships drive "The L Word" this season, from Bette (Jennifer Beals) and Jodi's (Marlee Matlin) contentious love connection, to Shane's (Katherine Moennig) infamous hook-ups.

But of all the series' fragile romances, Alice and Tasha's seems the iffiest.

"We have a different point of view on whether this relationship should last," Hailey says of herself and Rollins.

"Alice is very flighty, very pulled by her emotions," Hailey says. "And Tasha is such a solid, conventional, conservative person. The differences they see in each other — that's really beautiful. But sometimes they seem unhealthy. Sometimes it just doesn't fit."

Then again, "you enjoy working so much with each other that you want the characters to stay together," Hailey says. "We laugh hysterically all the time. Have you heard Rose laugh? It's real infectious."

A former model, Rollins never had qualms about playing the tough girl on "The L Word."

"It's my comfort zone. I hold a lot of things in. I'm careful with what I say, especially to people who don't know me well. I will seethe, I will boil, and then I will explode — if needed," she says. "And I think Tasha has a lot of that. But I am a pretty level-headed person overall and so is my character."

Ask Rollins what the future holds for Alice and Tasha and she laughs her signature lion-roar: "Does anyone not see the connection between the two of us?"

"Alice gets me to loosen up," Rollins says. "She aids me in realizing what it is I'm fighting for — not the soldier but Tasha as a woman, first. When you don't think we stand a chance, maybe we do. It is a good relationship."

Today’s L-Word is ... loopy!
by Lawrence Ferber
contributing writer
Thursday Jan 3, 2008




"We’re like, let’s just switch it up a bit," shares Angela Robinson, a director of Showtime’s The L-Word, in an online teaser video entitled "5 Things to Expect in Season 5."

Indeed, Season Five of the groundbreaking lesbian series does step outside the L-box, taking a new, downright gonzo direction and aesthetic, quite removed from that of its early, relationship-drama-driven years. Not that relationship dramas are ever in scant supply - the tangled web of exes and fresh paramours is woven thick, as illustrated on the show’s (and internet’s) famed Chart.


At the start of Season Five, which debuts on Showtime Sun., Jan. 6 at 9 p.m., art curator Bette (Jennifer Beals) and ex-girlfriend Tina (Laurel Holloman) are pretending to still be together so their child, Angelica, has a better chance of getting into an elite preschool. Meanwhile, Bette is involved with a deaf artist, Jodi (Marlee Matlin), and learning things about sign language and herself. The sometimes bi, always tumult-causing author, Jenny (Mia Kirshner), has returned in high style, with a deal to turn her semi-autobiographical book Lez Girls into a movie at Tina’s studio.

Alice (Leisha Hailey) continues her relationship with U.S. soldier Tasha (Rose Rollins), whose sexuality is discovered and could result in a military discharge. Beguiling hairstylist Shane (Kate Moennig) lands in the fire (literally!) thanks to a seduction involving two bridesmaids and considers reigning in her sex life. Transgender Max (Daniela Sea) finds himself attracted to Jodi’s gay male friend. The recently out and divorced Phyllis (Cybill Shepard) realizes she wants to play the L-field before settling down, a revelation met with displeasure by her U-Haul prone girlfriend, Joyce (Jane Lynch). The privileged Helena (Rachel Shelley), meanwhile, has landed in prison but finds unexpected protection and lust with her super-butch cellmate, Dusty (Dutch kickboxing champ Lucia Rijker). As for Kit (Pam Grier), she is running the Planet and turning a profit.

Absurdity reigns in Season Five’s premiere episode (I watched the first three), especially in regard to Jenny and Helena’s storylines. Jenny, empowered by her connection to a hedge fund billionaire (Wallace Shawn) who’s funding the Lez Girls movie, has turned into a real diva. She reams out a personal assistant over a bit of nonsense regarding her Pomeranian’s grooming, and later, after that girl quits, finds a completely slavish, doting, young replacement (Malaya Rivera). Jenny’s dealings with the studio suits, whom insist upon as much hot lesbian sex in the film as possible, and the frustrated Tina, seem like yet another redundant lampooning of the Hollywood industry. (Perhaps creator/writer Ilene Chaiken’s experiences and tribulations during The L-Word’s initial pitching and development around town served as grist for the mill?)

As for Helena’s landing in prison, the scenario is played up with sitcom-level humor - admittedly chuckle-worthy - as she cowers in the face of stereotypical matrons, female prisoners and an intimidating cellmate whose motives, and reason for being incarcerated, could be sinister.

Directed by Jamie Babbitt, Episode Two is just as loopy, with a sex comedy twist and turn worthy of Porky’s or Superbad for the promiscuous Shane. Despite a campy Charlie’s Angels homage opener, Episode Three finally mellows a little and allows drama, and audience connection, to develop. Tasha is forced to combat a military discharge over her sexuality, despite the hell she suffered while fighting in Iraq and an enduring commitment to the armed forces and her country (Kelly McGillis plays a military lawyer within this subplot). Bette takes an attitude-changing trip to the country with Jodi. And Max’s storyline heads into a fascinating place sure to challenge notions of sexuality and gender further.

Yet the season’s biggest head-scratcher of sorts so far, if I might be trivial, is Kit’s wacko, unflattering hairstyle, which looks like some sort of unholy union between a pageboy and Darth Vader’s helmet. Oh, Pam!

Meanwhile, the interactivity of The L-Word - namely the website OurChart.com (which is part of the show’s universe but exists in real life to boot as a crossover device), features all sorts of L-talk, video, blogs, personal ads for all genders and forums - remains superb and engaging for fans new and old. And the show, which could well be renewed for a sixth season (no official news of cancellation or renewing have been announced yet although rumors and whispers persist), has inspired the scent L Eau De Parfum from Apothia Los Angeles. Something different is certainly in the air - and it’ll likely strike you as funny, however you decide to interpret that.

Friday, January 4, 2008
Last updated 12:00 a.m. PT

Why Wallace Shawn Likes Being the Only Guy on The L Word
By CARITA RIZZO
TV GUIDE

He may be best known for his portrayal of Vizzini in The Princess Bride, but the truth is that any time there's a successful television show featuring gorgeous women, you can expect to see character actor Wallace Shawn making a brief but memorable guest appearance. From Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives, Shawn now makes the leap to The L Word (Sunday at 9 pm/ET, Showtime) for a four-episode arc, playing William Halsey, the financier of Jenny's fictional film. Shawn chatted with TVGuide.com about being the only guy on-set and why he loves the controversial drama.

TVGuide.com: Who is your character?
Wallace Shawn: Well, that depends on who you ask. Actors are advocates for their characters, like lawyers, so I would say that I think he was in love with young Jenny and he wanted to change his life and go from the crass domain of moneymaking into the noble and beautiful realm of art.
TVGuide.com: So you play the investor of Jenny's fictional movie?
Shawn: Yes, the man who's putting in enormous sums of money.

TVGuide.com: So many characters find Jenny irritating; why does he find her so endearing?
Shawn: I think he responds to her bohemian side, her honesty, her intensity and her passion. And her talent. I think he's drawn to all these qualities that he has not seen in the world of finance. He is obviously someone who used to be a believer in the idea that money brings happiness.

TVGuide.com: Your character and his daughters seem very fascinated with that world of lesbianism.
Shawn: I think the show has consistently poked fun at the type of men who are titillated by the thought of women who love other women, even though there may be some of those men in their own audience. They make merciless fun of them. And I think William is certainly one of those men who finds that amusing and exciting.

TV Guide: Does your character get a lot of screen time?
Shawn: I'm sorry to say that for whatever reason, my fantasy that my character would grow and grow was not realized. Perhaps they would have liked nothing more than to develop my storyline, but it just didn't happen this year.

TVGuide.com: But it didn't end in a place where you couldn't come back.
Shawn: Well, he doesn't die. He's very much alive at the end. I think that their general belief is that every other show tends to be about the men, and even though I, as the actor, dreamed that my character would develop in so many directions, I think they just had other priorities. Who knows? The public might respond to my character, they might beg to [bring] me back.

TVGuide.com: What was it like to work with this group?
Shawn: Secretly I idolized them and most of them had never heard of me and didn't really necessarily find me that interesting.

TV Guide: That can't be true — they must have seen Princess Bride at least 17 times.
Shawn: No, even that was not necessarily seen by everybody. My job was to curb my enthusiasm, I suppose. I was trying not to fawn over people.

TVGuide.com: So you were a fan of the show?
Shawn: Yes, I was a fan of the show and of all the actresses who are regulars. It's quite unusual for me to be a worshipful fan of a TV show. I think it is incredibly smartly written and directed and I worship the actresses, so my goal was to just pretend that I didn't care and I was just doing my job.

TV Guide: They've been doing this for a while and I'm sure the lesbian theme is uncontroversial to them; what's it like to be new in that world?
Shawn: I already had seen the show, so I wasn't looking around thinking, "Where are the men?" And of course for me, I'm more comfortable with the company of women than the company of men, so it was the world that I think every show or play or film should be — I'm the man, and everyone else is a woman. It's very agreeable.

TVGuide.com: Is there anything specific that attracts you to a project?
Shawn: I suppose if I read the script and I don't find it nauseating, I'm quite pleased. I have a somewhat hostile relationship to the culture of my own country, and often scripts of films and television shows repel me, so if I read a script and it doesn't repel me, I'm delighted. It's extremely rare that I read something and I think, "I would be so proud to be in this that I would call all my friends and beg them to see it." That would be the highest recommendation.

Future shock: Could this be the last word for 'The L Word'?
BY LYDIA MARTIN
lmartin@MiamiHerald.com

Visit just about any website dedicated to discussing and dissecting The L Word (already about a dozen sites and blogs are going strong in anticipation of Sunday's 9 p.m. season-five Showtime premiere), and you'll find posters debating whether power dyke Bette should dump famous artist Jodi and get back together with movie producer Tina. And whether Tina should move on or go back to Bette, who, after all, is her baby's other mother.

In 2004, when the groundbreaking series featuring mostly straight, mostly feminine actresses playing lesbians began, there was plenty of criticism from the lesbian community about the show's glam portrayals, which seemed to sweep under the carpet the truth about Everylesbian.

Everylesbian, the argument went, doesn't look like Jennifer Beals (Bette). Like anybody else, lesbians come in all shapes and sizes. Some, perhaps still borrowing from the politics of the 1970s, consciously say no to gender-dictated embellishments.

''Well, the truth is, I don't wear such fabulous clothes in my real life,'' says Laurel Holloman, who plays Tina and is married to a man. ``I can't walk in the high heels that Tina walks in.''

Some lesbians griped that the actresses, who relentlessly get it on in gorgeous pairs and trios, were cast to appeal to men. But heading into what may be the skin-flashing melodrama's final season, nobody is clamoring for middle-American authenticity anymore. Audiences have moved beyond politics and now just beg for Bette and Tina to hook up again. And again. They want their lipstick-on-lipstick love scenes, even if they're not into lipstick themselves.

''I feel like less of a chump now when I'm trying to convey the sexuality,'' Beals says. 'I used to think, `Oh my God, am I doing this right?' I figured everybody was saying, 'This girl is so straight; there is no way she can play a gay woman.' But after five seasons, I feel I have earned some credibility.''

As the first television show to tell the story of out, urban lesbians, The L Word has helped empower real gay women who had never before seen their lives so positively reflected in the media. And it has helped pave the way for more gay programming, including Exes & Ohs. A comedy series about a group of lesbian friends who hang out in a Seattle coffee house, it was launched last year by Logo, the gay and lesbian television network introduced by MTV Networks in 2005. (Logo has not decided if it will renew the series but later this year will air the first two seasons of The L Word, cleaned up to meet basic cable standards.)

But for all its positives, The L Word has imposed a mainstream-friendly, if unrealistic, lesbian image: super-feminine and stilettoed is popping up more than it should in lesbian projects, some observers say.

HAS A LOOK

''Where has the butch gone in film? That has been the argument lately,'' says Carol Coombes, director of the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. ``The L Word has done so many positive things, but it has established a look. On the show there was one character who started out butch, but then became a [transsexual]. All the other characters are femme. Even when they're trying to play butch, they're very glamorous, like Shane. Of course, there are plenty of feminine lesbians in the world. But go to the New Moon [bar] in Wilton Manors. There are plenty of women there in jeans and flannel shirts drinking beer. The mullet is still around.''

The femme has always been overrepresented in films, says Jaime Babbit, a lesbian film and television director whose credits include the 2007 indie film Itty Bitty Titty Committee and a couple of episodes of The L Word, including the new season's second episode.

''I think in general, even before there was The L Word, some lesbians were more accepted. Men have the most power and the control of the purse strings, which is why there have always been more femmes in movies,'' Babbit says. ``Itty Bitty Titty Committee was about punk-rock lesbians, which I think was a nice antidote. If there were five or 10 TV shows about lesbians, poor Ilene Chaiken [L Word creator and executive producer] wouldn't have to be called on to represent all lesbians in the world.''

DEFENDING GLAMOUR

But Chaiken stands by her glamour girls.

``As a filmmaker, you have to present the image that tells your story. I think The L Word is aspirational and positive -- and true, by the way. There are gay women laced throughout our culture who are as successful and as fabulous as the characters on The L Word.''

Whether or not the characters are too straight-looking or too rich, The L Word has helped the lesbian community make strides toward self-acceptance and greater political power, says Kate Kendell, executive director of the San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights.

''It's been great to have a show that at least is in the ball park in terms if how real lesbians live their lives,'' Kendell says. ``In five years, the show has had enormous cultural significance. You just have to listen to Latino and African-American leaders and how they bemoan the absence of enough actors of color in TV and films. To be represented is to gain legitimacy.''

Plus, is it really so wrong to have some sugar-coated, girl-on-girl fun on TV? Even Kendell gets into the Bette and Tina fray. ``I think Bette and Tina are bad for each other. I don't get the spark. I know there are people who desperately want them to get back together. But I think they're a yawner as a couple. I think Bette and Jodi [Marlee Matlin] seem better matched.''

So will it be JoBette or TiBette?

''Bette and Tina just have incredible chemistry together,'' admits Chaiken who, since season one, has gotten endless flak for breaking up the one couple on the show that seemed to have a happy, long-term relationship. ``We knew we had to find ways for them to engage this season, whatever happens in the end.''

Chaiken can't help but tease, but she also doesn't want to spoil the season for a zealous fan base that trolls various websites, including OurChart.com (a sort of myspace.com for lesbians operated by Showtime, Chaiken and several of the show's actresses) to beg for a TiBette reunion.

Even the actresses who play the roles have implored Chaiken to get them back together.

''Jennifer and I were so touched by all the little videos on youtube.com that people make about Bette and Tina,'' Holloman says. 'I was like, `Come on Ilene, they have to work it out.' But she's right. If we had no drama, nobody would have wanted to watch us. It would have been us taking care of our baby and eating popcorn in front of the TV. I think season five is a perfect bookend to season one.''

So far, Showtime is not saying whether this season is the end. But, 'because of the writers' strike, this could be the last year,'' Holloman says. ``My guess is if we're lucky, we'll get another season,''

Says Chaiken: 'Putting the writers' strike aside, I would like to go another season. And there's a good chance of that. It always depends on how the audience responds.''

Clearly, this year Showtime is banking on fans' tuning in for a TiBette fix. It recently announced that Holloman and Beals will host tonight's premiere on camera. But, Beals cautions, none of the hoopla, not even the cable and Internet promos that offer a glimpse of TiBette in a liplock, confirms that the couple will ride off into the sunset together.

''First, Bette and Tina would have to deal with everything that made them fall apart,'' Beals says. ``But it is nice to see them together in their friendship. They're less combative, more at ease with one another. You kind of get a sense of what it must have been like for them before the storm.''

L Word Lowdown

Episode 501: "LGB Tease"
Article Date: 01/07/2008

By L. A. Vess
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
The long-anticipated fifth season of The L Word finally made its debut Sunday night. As Jenny Schecter's smirking face filled the screen even before the opening credits, anticipation turned quickly to nausea. As much as we were hoping Jenny would meet an untimely end during the break between seasons, however, episode one of season five did have its high points—the primary one being, of course, a gratuitously naked Rachel Shelley.

First, we have to question why Ilene Chaiken must insist on opening the fourth season of The L Word with her annoying, circus freak alter ego Jenny. Nothing against Mia Kirshner, who firmly inhabits and propels Jenny's psychotic narcissism with an almost frightening ease. Nothing against Ilene either, she's obviously a master at knowing how to laugh at herself and the lesbian community in general—a good thing all around.

It is simply that Jenny has become such a shallow, pointless stereotype that it seems wasteful to even spare a moment of precious L Word time on her existence. I'm sure at some future date she'll experience a terrific revelation about what an incredibly self-involved bitch she's developed into and everyone will feel terribly sorry for her and there will be crying involved, etc. etc. But frankly, at this point I would just as soon have seen Jenny drown at sea at the end of last season.

I'm sure Bette and Tina would probably agree—though they might feel guilty about it. Well, maybe Tina would. Bette would probably throw a way too fancy dinner party in celebration of the Lez Girls author's demise. Believe me, I understand the point of exercising in a little L Word parody play—which is basically what the whole Lez Girls storyline is about—but really, haven't we been tortured enough?

Anyway, enough about Jenny. Let's move on to more tasty topics, such as Katherine Moennig's delicious Shane. Now, Shane's been through a rough time all around. She left the hottest woman in existence at the altar and then followed up by getting drugged to the gills and making a bloody wreck out of herself. She prostituted herself on billboards to help her little brother, only to have him taken away by her womanizing father. And no matter how badly she seems to want to find love, she manages to mess it up at every turn.

Honestly, Shane's inability to stop bed-hopping is getting just a little bit tiresome. At the same time, the whole bit with Amazonian housewife Paige (Kristanna Loken) was kind of hard to click with. The two actresses had little in the way of chemistry with each other and their love scenes seemed more humorous than erotic. So when the first episode of the new season found Shane sliding back into her old Casanova waves, it was almost a relief.

Admittedly, the transition from "let's move in together in this nice apartment" Shane to "I'm going to *** the rental manager" Shane was a little swift. Maybe the rental manager's litany of Shane's ex-conquests in front of girlfriend Paige just got Miss Hugo Boss too hot under the collar to resist adding another chick to her OurChart constellation. Of course, Paige walks in on the impromptu liaison and then promptly walks out. And there goes another LTR prospect for the girl who just can't keep it in her pants.

But what's this, Paige is willing to forgive, forget and let Shane get laid all over town while still coming home for family dinner? Sound like a hot deal to me, but Shane never has let a good thing come her way without ****ing it up—so it's goodbye to Paige. Because, of course, Shane is once again 'not good enough' for a nice, stable, reasonably well-adjusted woman. But Shane has obviously not learned the lesson about a "woman scorned" as her precious shop Wax goes up in a burning inferno, and Paige is the primary suspect. Hmmm, maybe Paige was not as well-adjusted as she appeared to be…

On the site of another burning inferno in the making, Bette is waiting anxiously for her lover Jodi (Marlee Matlin) to return. Tina (Laurel Holloman), however, is not so into the idea of Bette's brilliant, beautiful new girlfriend coming back to town. No, Tina's decided to rejoin the lesbian brigade and Bette's started to look like a tasty treat she's been denied for far too long. Especially since Kate was fired off Jenny's film and packed herself off to New York. Now Tina's single, desperate and willing to float herself topless in a pool to try to garner some attention from Bette. (Well, how can you really resist Jennifer Beals?) Frankly, Bette looked like she was almost ready to bite too, until Tina smacked her upside the head with a nasty l'esbian bed death' dig. Bad Tina. She should be spanked. Repeatedly…

Though it seems Bette is still having some naughty thoughts about her ex-partner Tina, once Jodi arrives, she's the center of Bette's universe. At first, Jodi and Bette are as slobbery as two puppy dogs in love—exhibiting a disgusting level of public PDA. But then Bette errs again by invading Jodi's space with her 'gifts' all uninvited. Poor thing just can't escape her control freak persona even for a minute. Jodi's answer to the problem? Blindfold the bitch and give her a taste of being a real bottom to another Alpha female for a change. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Meanwhile, over in Alice's world things seem to be on a downhill track. Tasha and Alice have transitioned to full-on mushy love, but soldier girl is on her way to Iraq and possible death by roadside bomb. Then, while taping a podcast for her breakout OurChart site, Alice gets dished by former lover Phyllis (Cybill Shepherd), who has the audacity of saying Alice was too 'vanilla' in the bedroom. Ouch, we can imagine Leisha Hailey just died a little inside at having to endure that categorization of Alice. Apparently Phyllis' new lawyer lover Joyce likes it a bit saucier than pretty Pieszecki. But although lawyer lady may have some tasty treats up her pants, Phyllis isn't content to settle down with just one hot power dyke—she's looking to play the field. If only she can get rid of Joyce…

Next, Alice manages to offend Max by saying OurChart is a site for lesbians—and that means the whole transgender thing really isn't appropriate discussion material. She tries to cover up her snafu, but it's pretty obvious this is an issue that will be popping up again. Max, by the way, has decided for the time being that he is enough of a man as is without having transitional surgery. But that too is likely to be another plotline that hasn't yet been resolved. Both subjects are worthy of more exploration, in my humble opinion. There simply hasn't been enough real representation of transgender individuals in our media and it should be quite interesting to see how these delicate issues are dealt with in future episodes.

But I digress, back to the lovely Alice. Lo and behold, Alice's day looks to be brightening when Tasha's next stop isn't the desert sands of an unjust war; instead she comes knocking on Alice's door for a booty call. Alice wants to know if her lover girl is in trouble, but Tasha shuts her up in the most efficient manner possible—by taking off her clothes. If all lesbian drama could be interrupted with such exquisite sexual interventions, the world would probably be a much more fabulous place.

Checking in with our favorite hot girl Helena, she's unfortunately on the receiving end of an entirely unpleasant form of intimacy. A cavity search by a stern female prison guard wearing a rubber glove is probably only exciting to people with rather odd fetishes, but a naked Helena is steamingly delicious regardless of circumstances. Whoever decided to include that particular scene was well aware of the absurd eroticism of stripping Helena naked for the audience's pleasure while making them feel guilty for ogling her in such an uncomfortable situation.

The moments when the humor shines through the drama on The L Word are the moments that truly make the show worth watching—Jenny and all. Such as when Shane, just broken up with Paige after cheating on her, goes pelvic thrusting after a delectable inmate while on her way to visit Helena. Sad, wrong, twisted—but priceless. And, of course, we cannot forget the most cliché' and yet most amusing moment of the season opener. Yes, the chorus of Shane, Tina and Alice telling Helena very seriously: "Don't drop the soap."

Which we know, courtesy of next week's previews, that she will.

Check back next week for another edition of the "L Word Lowdown".

Review: The L Word, season 5 brings sexy back


By April MacIntyre Jan 5, 2008, 0:18 GMT


The L Word's coming back on Sunday, 9pm on Showtime.


***Partial Spoiler Alert***

The long-running Sapphic soap opera features the most stunning well-to-do lesbians on the planet who incestuously trade partners like people pass out Chiclets.

Showtime's "The L Word" is a pastiche character-driven dramedy of accomplished women in Los Angeles’ lesbian community and their byzantine love/life stories. This critically acclaimed series takes a lifestyle perhaps unfamiliar, and makes it all seem very ordinary at times.

This season will please those who felt the series got a bit vanilla, a cardinal sin in rainbow colored Gay-land.

The writers have injected testosterone into the very graphic sex that we see, this isn’t Anais Nin high-brow writhing and filmy girl kisses, more like wham-bam rough stuff. The straight guys who fantasize about comely girls doing the business will love the new order.

The casting is well-stocked with veteran champs like Pam Grier (Kit) and Wallace Shawn, a smitten producer who takes Jenny Schecter’s “Lez Girls” article and blows it up into a movie, all cast and produced within season 5 of the L Word.

Season 5 is Mia Kirshner's character Jenny’s turn to shine as a neurotic writer / director; she is hilarious refusing to rein in her ego as she abuses her assistants to no end. She has an imbroglio with her foisted upon leading lady only to find a surprise attraction waits.

Katherine Moennig as Shane is still the low-key ladykiller, a gamine, Audrey Hepburn meets Anime boy style fusion who disarms seemingly straight women right into her hands (literally) and seduces the world.

In fact, Shane snags an entire family of straight women, all at one fateful wedding. That episode was a bit much for me.

Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman play central cast members Bette and Tina; the long running on-again, off-again professional couple have their tender moments. I won’t spoil it for you.

Marlee Matlin as Bette’s new squeeze Jodi and Cybill Shepherd as Phyllis shine in their roles for season 5.

Matlin plays Jodi, the fiercely independent art professor with passion. Matlin has one of the funnier scenes as she drives Bette to Big Bear to meet her inner circle of friends. As she drives, she is animatedly telling Bette about her pals in sign language. Lots of near-death swerving ensues.

Cybill Shepherd as Chancellor Phyllis is funny as hell as the accomplished mid-life lesbian. She ditches a 25 year marriage with children to play the field with the ladies. Her scenes with great comedic actress Jane Lynch (as Joyce) are no-miss.

Rachel Shelley plays Helena, the hapless rich girl who has her trust-fund money snatched away by her mummy, the vilest matriarch in televised history. Helena winds up in jail.

A not-so-hot prison shower scene happens - and uncharacteristically for the L Word - flawed, real women are shown fully naked.

Yes, Helena accidentally drops the soap, and for all the pervy guys out there who watch this show, prison sex occurs.

Pam Grier as Bette’s sister Kit runs The Planet, the hub of all L Word doings. Grier normally is cast as a powerhouse player, and seeing her so vulnerable seems a bit off at times for me, but she does an excellent balancing act for all the Alice/Shane/Jenny insanity happening around the core group of girls.

Ah Alice. All the young girls love Alice, tender young Alice they say. She is the Chelsea Handler of the group: A brash, disher of lesbian dirt on the air, quick-witted and quite the connector of the dots. Only Shane gets more puss than Alice.

Leisha Hailey's quirky Alice character has one of the more interesting story lines for season 5, her girlfriend Tasha faces the most difficult hurdle a gay person in the military can be confronted by. Her dedication and excellent service to our country is in real jeopardy.

Even The Planet has a bit of competition this season. A new L Word locational muse is introduced to the action. “It’s like South Beach threw up in here,” says Shane. “Shebar” is invitation-only venue where the pretty lesbians get to drink, dance and debauch the night away.

Yes, Shane sleeps with the owners of Shebar too. At the same time.

THE VIEW (ABC)

Wednesday, Jan. 9
Cybill Shepherd and Jennifer Beals (The L Word); Montel Williams (author, Living Well)

Media Blender

This week in the world of lesbian gossip
Article Date: 01/09/2008

By Tracy E. Gilchrist



A new year, a new season of those hot gay babes on The L Word. Media Blender goes to Los Angeles' red carpet premiere and nabs an exclusive of a real live Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig and Marlee Matlin on the carpet make out session—okay not really but they were all there.

Plus, the Screen Actors Guild boycotts the Golden Globes ruining a shot at an Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett and Jodie Foster congratulatory hug-a-thon. Gay icon and actress extraordinaire Cher and her big gay daughter Chastity Bono teach the kids how to come out and Lena Headey fills Linda Hamilton's tight torn t-shirt in The Sarah Connor Chronicles!



Forget Britney Spears or the New Hampshire primary, even in the New Year The L Word is still the pop culture fodder Lesbos love to overanalyze and lash out about—either in favor of or against. And this week, all the gay gals' tongues are wagging about the glammed out West Hollywood queens of the small screen.

Seasoned L Word junkies stood out in the rain for hours—like gay men camping out for Bette Midler tickets—at West Hollywood's The Factory Sunday for the Los Angeles premiere of the tasty show that put hot lesbian sex on pay per view television—and for a glimpse of the iconic cast members strolling the rain-drenched red carpet.

Diehard rain-soaked devotees whooped and hollered and pushed and shove each other a tad for an eyeful of out cast members Daniela Sea, who plays Super-Max with the soul patch, and perennial fave, eat-her-with-a-spoon cute Leisha Hailey, who plays the beloved and witty Alice. Also on deck on the red carpet were Laurel Holloman, who's happy to be playing Tina with a way-cool personality transplant this season, and the queens of impossibly high cheekbones, Rachel Shelley (Helena) and Rose Rollins as the Alice's soldier girl Tasha.

For this L Word junkie and celebrity gawker, witty exchanges with cast members and the opportunity to ogle the gals from a front row seat temporarily helped relieve the shivering exacerbated by my rain-misted hair and soaked through boots. I'm thinking I should have donned a pair of rubbers before hitting that red carpet—tee-hee.

Highlights from the carpet include an adorable Kate Moennig—looking tres like her alter ego Shane—shifting uncomfortably on her feet after a publicist shoved her in front of the print media for interviews. After a quick funny about whether she'd brought pot brownies for the poor print media—Shane's the keeper of the pot brownie recipe in an upcoming episode—and realizing she looked ready to hit the VIP section rather than answer hackneyed questions from journalists, I said, "I'm not very good on the red carpet," to which she replied, "Neither am I." So sheepish and adorable indeed!

While it's not unusual around Weho to catch an occasional glimpse of Leisha, Kate or Daniela kicking around town, the show's heavy-hitting half-sisters Pam Grier and Jennifer Beals took to the carpet—and I don't mean the kind of carpet Bette frequents on the show.

While US Magazine's reporter insisted on a stream of non- L Word related questions—since he admittedly had never seen the show—I stuck to what I know best, which is downright sycophantism. When the Empress of Smiling While Crying and Keeping her Big Browns Wide Open, Ms. Beals strolled by, I sincerely—in a sucking up sort of way—said, "Jennifer, I don't have a question but I must comment that I'm boycotting the Golden Globes because you're not nominated. It's long overdue." A smiling, gracious and ironic Ms. Beals' laughed and said, "From your lips to God's ears. You are the sweetest thing."

If that didn't warm and curl my frozen toes, cocktails in the VIP section of The Factory during the premiere, sure helped. Here's wishing the Sapphic set an exciting L Word season to revere, pick apart and bitch about it!

The 39TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS Airs Live Thursday, February 14 On FOX



Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

CCH Pounder – “The Shield” (FX)
Jennifer Beals – “The L Word” (Showtime)
Nicki Micheaux – “Lincoln Heights” (ABC Family)
Regina Taylor – “The Unit” (CBS)
Wendy Davis – “Army Wives” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Audra McDonald – “Private Practice” (ABC)
Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – “Without A Trace”(CBS)
Pam Grier – “The L Word” (Showtime)
S. Epatha Merkerson – “Law & Order” (NBC)

By BetteAndTinaForever

COMPLETE PHOTOS OF THE HRC/SEASON 5 LA PREMIERE

WARNING: Some spoilers from season 5 can be found in the report and some interviews. Proceed with caution.

What is it about The L Word Premieres and the rain? Last year I went to New York, and it rained all night. This year I was hoping for some sun and warmth, since it was in LA, but right on the day of the premiere it began raining again. Well, no rain, wind, snow or any other disaster would stop me from coming to the premiere of the season 5 of my favorite show, especially if all the cast members were appearing, as was promised by the ad on the HRC website.

Though the press was asked to come around 5:30 pm, I came in earlier because I was with some friends, and they wanted to arrive early enough to get in line and to get inside. The few hours before the cast arrival flew quickly, and my excitement was growing every passing second. Finally the first arrivals showed up--Daniela Sea and then Leisha Hailey. Because of the rain we had to move the red carpet barrier pretty close to where the actresses were standing, and it was really hard to take pictures in such a close proximity.


The celebrities kept coming and not only the actresses from the original cast, but also the new cast, including Clementine Ford, Elizabeth Keener, Alicia Leigh Willis, Patricia Velasquez, Malaya Rivera Drew, and some others.

While Pam was waiting to pose for some photos, I asked her a few questions.

B&TF: What do you think about season 5?

Pam Grier: It has more impact and insight than our past and our past is what got us here today.

B&TF: Is Angus back?

PG: I can’t tell you that. I can’t give away the goods on the season five. I can’t tell you, girl.

B&TF: Is it possible that we’ll have a season 6?

PG: Great possibility. The women’s issues aren’t five seasons. You got to have a lot of seasons to talk about it.

I kept taking pictures when I was told that at the end of the line there was a possibility for the interviews.

After there was a break in the arrivals, I went to the end of the line, right by the club entrance and get into the position. Some of the cast already went inside so I tried to catch those who were still being interviewed by others. The fans were already inside, and the party had already started. Because of so many cast members I only had a few minutes to ask some questions.

The first person I caught up with was Rose Rollins. She’s amazing, and her laugh is really contagious, especially when she can stop herself and makes other to keep laughing. She was giving an interview to someone else, so I just joined them while waiting for my turn. Rose was talking a little about her role of Tasha Williams. The part that I was able to witness was when she was talking about how Tasha was put under the investigation for homosexual.

Rose Rollins: Tasha finally realizes that maybe “What I thought I wanted and what I’ve been fighting so hard for” is not what she wants… or maybe she does. We will see. I never wanted to come across as a joke. I really, really wanted to portray a character that the people who really are fighting this cause could relate to. I’ve spoken to people who were under separation because of the “Don’t Ask, Don’s Tell” policy.

Rose continued talking but at the same time Laurel Holloman was coming towards me because she was finished with her last interview, and while Rose was still talking to others, I decided to use this opportunity and talk to Laurel. I interviewed her in Blackpool L3 Convention last yea,r but the time I had wasn’t enough, and I wanted to ask a few more questions. As usual, Laurel was really nice and wonderful.

B&TF: Season five is starting tonight, so what do you think fans reaction would be to the season in general?

Laurel Holloman: I think, in general it’s much better season than season four, and I think, in general people will really going to like each episode. I think every episode is really strong, there’s no really weak episode in there. I think there are a lot of new characters that are really interesting. I think because we doing this amazing storyline that my character is a large part of, called “a movie within a movie”, that probably one of the most brilliant things Ilene’s done. I think it really brings a lot of different characters in and it’s great. There’s another fantastic storyline with Tasha’s character, and Kelly McGillis being the guest star is really great. I just think, in general, that it’s a much better season. It’s probably the best season.

B&TF: Why do you think they are making this Jodi/Bette/Tina triangle so important in this season?

LH: You know what, I think it has to do with the chemistry that we’ve always had and the energy that people put in these two characters and the journey that they’ve taken. I think we started with the Pilot, and they were kind of everybody’s idol as a couple. You see that when Shane said, “Oh, I want to find someone like you, guys”. And then what you see is that they are not picture perfect, and what they are really look like it’s a lot more complicated. Then you pulled them apart, and they have a family. Ilene pulled a lot of great issues: adoption, same-sex marriage and what happens when you need to adopt your child (which is absurd for this even to happen).

B&TF: Has the adoption happened already? Because on the imdb website Olivia was credited as Angelica Kennard-Porter, but they never showed it.

LH: Yeah, Angelica is in a shared custody between Bette and Tina, and the adoption was filed. So, basically I just think that Ilene sort of put these characters through the ringer, but they’ve grown a lot in the last five years. And now, if you look at where they are in season four, they’ve become friends, and they talk to each other nicely and act like grown-ups. They were behaving like children for awhile, but you can’t behave like children when you have children. This friendship and Tina’s growing in her career and Bette’s changing a lot and having relationship with Jodi, I think those things are going to be the base of where they start this season, and I think it gives them hope. I mean, it could be some hope, I don’t know.

B&TF: I hope there’s hope.

LH: But, you know, Bette’s with Jodi, so here you go (laughing).

B&TF: Well, there’s still no chemistry between them. Anyway, last question. Do you think there’s a possibility for season 6?

LH: I don’t know. I hope so, but there’s still the writers’ strike. It would be great, but Showtime has a lot of really good shows right now, and I hope we’ll get invited back, but it could easily be the end. But if this is it, we wrapped it up on a really good note.

Laurel had to go inside to the VIP room, so I quickly caught up with Rachel Shelley. While I was taking her pictures, I already mentioned to Rachel that I’m planning got go to London to March and have a full interview with her, so I only wanted to ask a few questions that were somewhat important.


B&TF: What do you think about this whole storyline of Helena in jail? I heard that it was your idea?

Rachel Shelley: It wasn’t my idea. I really like the idea. It’s a really good storyline. I mean, I definitely thought it would be an interesting one to do, but obviously Ilene is the one who actually creates it.

B&TF: Does it mean we are going to see less of Helena in the first few episodes while she’s in jail?

RS: No, when I’m there and in jail you see as much of me as you usually do. In fact, you see more of me I would say, physically.

B&TF: I also heard a rumor that if there’s going to be a season 6, Helena is not going to be in it. What can you say about that?

RS: I’d say that was just a rumor.

B&TF: Somebody said that she saw you in Vancouver, talked to you and you said that if there’s going to be a season 6, you’re not doing it or something like that.

RS: I’ve read the piece you’re telling me about because I’ve had a lot of people asking me about this, and all I can say about that is that the girl who apparently said she saw me…well, I don’t remember seeing her, but I certainly have not had any conversation with anyone about my future on The L Word.

B&TF: So you will be in a season 6 if it will happen?

RS: Who knows, nobody even knows if there’s a season 6 right now.

And then Rachel had to go too. While I was interviewing those lovely ladies, more cast members arrived. The first one was Lucia Rijker, who is playing Dusty, Helena cellmate in jail. She was casually passing by, and stopped when I recognized her and answered a few questions.

B&TF: In how many episodes will you appear?

Lucia Rijker: I think three.

B&TF: I heard that you will steal Helena’s heart, and she wants to be with you after she gets out of the jail. What can you tell me about it without revealing too many spoilers?

LR: I’m not going to say anything--only that it’s short. Too short, maybe. They asked me for three more episodes, but I had a commitment overseas for European TV. Unfortunately, I think that Dusty needed to show more of herself in the fifth season, but who knows, maybe it’s going to be the sixth one.

B&TF: So if there’s going to be a sixth one, you think they might invite you back?

LR: They should.

B&TF: If you available?

LR: Yes.

B&TF: Do you want to come back?

LR: I’ll make myself available because the character needs to show more. She’s very powerful; she makes an appearance, and you want to see more of her.

B&TF: Great, I hope we’ll see more of you. I already saw the first episode, and what I saw so far was great.

LR: Thank you.

Next was Jennifer Beals. She was already on her way inside but she stopped for me so I could ask one question. It was happening so quick that once again my brain froze and all I could say was…

B&TF: Who do you think has more chemistry, Jodi and Bette or Tina and Bette?

Jennifer Beals: (smiling at me) You are a wicked girl.

She began walking away, still laughing, so you here you have it, dear readers. I was called a wicked girl by Jennifer Beals. Why is it that whatever she says sounds like a compliment?

After Jennifer went inside, I recovered my wits and talked to Patricia Velasquez, Elizabeth Keener and Alicia Leigh Willis.

B&TF: I saw in “Mummy” and “Mummy Returns” and I really enjoyed those movies. I was really excited that you will be playing one of the characters. Can you tell me a little about your character? I know you’re playing Begonia, who is playing Karina…who is actually Marina in the “movie within the movie” storyline.

Patricia Velasquez: It’s a little complicated. In the beginning I was like, “I have no idea who is who” but we sort of figured it out. Well, what makes Begonia a little different is that she is very honest. She doesn’t believe in promiscuity and she just really believes in true relationships. Not because that if you are gay you have to be promiscuous. And I think that’s the most important thing for her. She’s a family girl and she’s just a very honest girl.

B&TF: I saw a little preview for the show and there was a clip where they were filming a scene for Jenny’s movie, and you and Kate, who’s playing Nikki, were doing a scene “I’m not a coffee drinker”. They were saying on the preview that they were sort of making it the way it happened on the set in reality but they exaggerated it. What was it about?

PV: Because I wasn’t Karina, I didn’t really know exactly what happened but I did hear a lot of stories. Sometimes people would look at me from the back and maybe Jennifer would come and say, “You know, it’s really freaky because you look like her from the back.”

B&TF: You do look a little like her and your voice sounds similar because of the accent, only Karina’s was deeper.

PV: But we are two different people, and I think it was clear on the show towards the end, that basically we were two different people. It was a little complicated, but once I learned that basically every name was two people. Once you learned it, it was okay.

B&TF: One more question. I heard that the actresses who are playing the actresses will be on a show only for certain number of episodes, because they are only there for the “movie within the movie” storyline and then they will be done. Do you think your character might stay longer?

PV: She might stay longer for sure.

B&TF: So if season 6 will happen, you might be in it?

PV: Most likely.

Elizabeth Keener and Alicia Leigh Willis came through pretty much one right after another and I asked them just a few questions, since they were recently interviewed on this website, which they both remembered well. But before I got to them, Elizabeth was talking to someone else, and she gave a little insight on the phrase that she uses through the season, “Hi, I’m Dawn Denbo and this is my lover, Cindi”. Elizabeth said that it was true from somebody in real life actually. I already read the production notes and knew a little about Elizabeth and Alicia’s characters, so I asked them pretty much the same questions.

B&TF: Do you consider your character a villain or a hero?

Elizabeth Keener: She wouldn’t think she’s a villain but everybody else will. It’s one of those characters that instead of saying that you love to hate her you are going to say that you hate to love her. You will be like, “I like her, but why?”

B&TF: How many characters are you involved with? I know you have a lot of scenes with Shane.

EK: You know what, all of them. There’s actually a scene one time when there’s all of them and me. I have kind of a little conflict with each of them at some point.

B&TF: Welcome to the show, and if there’s a season 6, will we see Dawn coming back?

EK: Yes, the way it ended, I believe that you would.

Then it was Alicia Willis.

B&TF: Do you consider your character a villain or a hero?

Alicia Willis: I think she’s lost. I think she’s a little bit of both, trying to find her way and figure out who she is, but I think she kind of plays for both sides (laughing). I think that she figures herself out in the end of the season, but you’ll just have to wait and see.

B&TF: Who’s your favorite cast member among the ones you were involved with?

AW: Oh, it’s too hard, they are all great. It’s way too hard to choose, but I have to say I got really close with Elizabeth Keener because we worked so closely together. I actually adore her; she’s wonderful.

B&TF: If there’s a season 6, will we see Cindi coming back?

AW: I sure hope so, who knows. You never know.

And then there was Ilene Chaiken, the creator of the show whose vision and creativity gave us The L Word in the first place. Most of the fans have very strong feelings about the storylines, and some of those feelings are not always positive, but I personally think that everyone would agree that without Ilene we wouldn’t have this show at all.

B&TF: Can you just tell me about season 5 in general, especially who came up with the idea to make it like season 1 only funnier and more interesting?

Ilene Chaiken: We never thought of making it look like season 1, we just made the best show we could. We decided to have fun, and we had a blast. One of our guiding principles was wish fulfillment. We think season 5 is offering a lot of wish fulfillment.

B&TF: One of the major storylines this season is the “movie within the movie” and saw a couple of promos where they are talking about how you’re making fun of yourself or sort of showing the way this show could go. What can you tell me about it?

IC: There’s nothing more fun than to make fun of yourself. We’re checking with ourselves constantly to make sure that we weren’t being self-indulgent and that the stories were working and that they were worth telling. We had a blast. The writers had a blast, the actors had a blast. It was a really fun story to tell, and we think it was the right Hollywood story to tell.

B&TF: I also read in a lot of articles that you were saying that you and the writers were listening to the fans of the show. You said that you were listening and even using some of it on the show. Can you give me an example of something you used on the show that fans suggested or wished for?

IC: Well, I’m not going to tell you and give away storylines. You’ll have to watch the show to see what you think was influenced by the fans dialog, but we also did a contest, the fan contest, in which we invited people to write a scene and we shot the winning scene. So, that is a pretty big indication that we actually using fans material.

B&TF: And the last question that I asked everyone tonight. Is there a possibility for season 6? Do you have enough stories to tell?

IC: Loads of stories. We thought of season 6, and if you all wanted it, we’ll give it to you.

B&TF: Oh, we all want it.

The cast then gave a speech all the fans in the regular room and then the cast members went back to the VIP room. About five minutes after that, I saw Jennifer Beals leaving, and almost right after Laurel and Leisha left as well. But the rest of the cast stayed much longer, and they were having fun. This is when I heard that Paris Hilton was amongst the celebrity guests and was glued to Kate Moennig the whole time.

I was able to get inside the secluded VIP area. I took a few pictures of some new cast members and talked to a few of them.

Malaya Rivera Drew (Adele) said that she won’t tell me any spoilers, but that I have to remember that not everything that we’ll see is what it is in reality. Her character Adele will begin to work as Jenny’s assistant. That while she starts as a lamb, she ends up as a lion, and there’s a definite possibility to see her again if there’s a season 6. Judging by the spoilers and production notes, Adele and Jenny storyline is sort of a “All About Eve” meets “They Shoot Divas.”

Rose Rollins talked a little about Tasha’s relationship with Alice, which is one of the major storylines this season. She said that personally she wants them to work things out and stay together because she doesn’t want Tasha to be single and make out with random girls all the time. She thinks Alice and Tasha have a great chemistry and they love each other and there’s hope that they will make it (based on rumors that something will happen at the end of the season and they might not be together).

Angela Robinson was there and she told me that she directed four episodes. She liked episode five the most because it was all about the “pot brownies” party, and it’s really great fun to film.

While walking around, I engaged a few people in Bette and Tina conversation since it’s my favorite topic, and surprisingly I only talked to Laurel about my favorite couple that night. Honestly, everyone I talked to love TiBette together. Someone told me that what meant to be, will happen and in her opinion, Bette and Tina are meant to be. Even Ilene admitted that they have the greatest chemistry ever. So, it made me happy.

After a while, everyone who wanted to party further went to “Falcon”, a club just off Sunset Blvd where they show The L Word episodes every Sunday. I mingled a little more with fans and stars, watched the full version of the episode one more time on a bigger screen, saw Paris Hilton partying with Kate, and at one time talking to Ilene. I was told that it’s a possibility that we might see Paris in season 6. Well, what can I say about it? Nothing…I’m just happy that we might get season 6.

L W O R D S : ROSE ROLLINS IS ON FRONT LINES
By RICHARD HUFF
DAILY NEWS
January 3, 2008
Rose Rollins joined the cast of "The L Word" thinking she was going to be a basketball player. But the role morphed into her playing a soldier.

That's a good thing, because the Yonkers-raised actress will be at the heart of a story line playing out in the first eight episodes of the new season, starting Sunday night at 9 on Showtime.

"I prefer it; it's a more serious character," says Rollins. "[But] at first I was slightly intimidated."

Rollins plays Tasha Williams, whose relationship with Alice (Leisha Hailey) gets her in trouble with the military, which raises the "Don't ask, don't tell" controversy on gays and lesbians serving in the armed forces.

"The L Word," in its fifth season, revolves around a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles. Laurel Holloman, Katherine Moennig, Daniela Sea, Jennifer Beals, Pam Grier, Cybill Shepherd, Marlee Matlin, Rachel Shelley and Mia Kirshner co-star with Hailey and Rollins.

"When we created the character of Tasha, one of my writers said to me, we should do a lesbian who serves in the military, somebody who serves in Iraq," says series creator and writer Ilene Chaiken. "Once we finished our first season with her and touched upon the issue, we said we have to do 'Don't ask, don't tell.'"

Rollins spoke to 10 soldiers to research the issue, some of whom had been separated from the military because of their sexual orientation.

"These women have been through so much," says Rollins, who fell in love with acting while in high school. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue it as a career. Acting, she says, is "the one thing in my life that absolutely terrifies me."

Since launching on Showtime in 2004, "The L Word," has earned favorable critical notice for strong dramatic writing and sizzling sex scenes. It has also developed a strong online fan base.

Indeed, Chaiken and some partners created the social network Ourchart.com, based on a chart of sex partners, that has been central to Alice's character from the beginning.

Chaiken said some of the story lines were directly impacted by the fan dialogue on Ourchart.com.

"I'm thrilled by it," Chaiken says about fan reactions. "I love that it has become part of the popular culture."

MARLEE MATLIN MARRIAGE SECRETS
By David Lasky
OK! Magazine
January 7, 2008
The fifth season of her hit Showtime show The L Word just premiered, but Marlee Matlin has bigger things to celebrate in 2008. In August, the actress will celebrate her 15th wedding anniversary with husband, law enforcement officer Kevin Grandalski.

So when OK! caught up with Marlee over the weekend at the show's premiere party at The Factory in West Hollywood, we had to know — what’s the secret to wrecking the celebrity marriage curve?

“I have a great husband,” Marlee tells OK!. “He’s my rock. He has so much patience and understanding.”

And because behind every great man is a great woman, the Oscar-winning actress credits Kevin's mom for keeping them happily together.

“You also have to have a great mother-in-law to make it work too!” Marlee says.

As for her Showtime hit, which she joined last season as co-star Jennifer Beals’ love interest, the 42-year-old couldn't say enough great things about it.

"I get to be in touch with my feminine side and hang out with a whole bunch of women," she says. "That’s a great experience in itself."

GIRLS-ON-GIRLS GO WILD FOR PARIS HILTON
by Marc Malkin
E! Online
January 7, 2008
Is Paris Hilton campaigning for a part on Showtime’s hit gay drama series The L Word?

It sure looked like it last night, when she appeared to be enjoying the attention she was giving and getting from throngs of lesbians at last night’s Hollywood premiere of the fifth season of the series, which stars Pam Grier, Cybill Shepherd, Marlee Matlin and Gwyneth Paltrow’s cousin, Katherine Moennig.

Hilton was the surprise guest in the VIP room at the shindig at adjoining nightclubs Ultra Suede and the Factory.

I was there (yes, I took the pics you see posted here), and this is what I saw:

The hotel heiress was dressed in a black and tan minidress, black stockings and pumps, and she wore a black bob wig and hat.

She quickly squeezed herself into the middle of a banquette with Moennig and about eight other women and a couple of guys. Hilton and Moennig whispered to each other, wrapped their arms around each other, did shots, smoked cigarettes and took photos.

At one point, Ms. Hilton hiked her dress up to her waist and lifted her right leg into the air. She also changed hats, ditching the black one for a gray woolly number. And of course, Hilton entertained the crowd with some of her trademark dancing atop the banquette.

At about 10 p.m., Hilton and Moennig took off for lesbian night at the Falcon restaurant and lounge on Sunset Boulevard. “Paris and Kate are here holding hands,” an eyewitness emailed me at about 11:30 p.m.

I’m told Hilton chatted with L Word creator and producer Ilene Chaiken before exchanging numbers. “Paris wants to be on the show,” a source said.

Also at the premiere were Pam Grier, Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Mia Kirshner, Rose Rollins, Patricia Velasquez and Camryn Manheim.

ROSE ROLLINS SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER L WORD CHARACTER TASHA ::
By Ann Turner
Gay Wired
January 10, 2008
Actress Rose Rollins is speaking out about her L Word character Tasha and the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" storyline garnering national attention for her role. Playing a captain in the Army National Guard, Rollins' character is navigating the difficult choice many real GLBT soldiers are facing in the U.S. military—whether to stay in the closet or face being discharged and losing their careers.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Rollins says there is "a lot more to Tasha than her 'attitude'," and this is certainly a true statement.

Although Tasha has developed a reputation as being the 'tough' girl on the show, her character is about far more than her exterior 'attitude'. Tasha's storyline delves into a serious and controversial issue facing our country in the midst of an ongoing war that continues to drain not just the economic resources of the country, but the human ones as well.

Crafted by Colin Powell in the early 90's and signed into action by President Bill Clinton, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy allows homosexual soldiers to serve in the military as long as they are not open about their sexual orientation. Under the policy, the military cannot ask service members about their sexual activity or orientation and cannot investigate a service member's sexual activity or orientation without existing solid evidence of their homosexuality.

In exchange, soldiers are not to engage in homosexual activities or do anything that demonstrates their sexual orientation, including making public statements or entering into a same-sex union or marriage. The flaw in the policy is that a soldier who comes out, or is 'forced' out can still be discharged from the military simply based on their sexuality.

Brought on board The L Word in the show's fourth season, Rose Rollins initially thought she was going to be playing a basketball player, according to the New York Daily News. Instead, her role on the show transitioned to become one of the most important ongoing storylines in the series.

"When we created the character of Tasha, one of my writers said to me, we should do a lesbian who serves in the military, somebody who serves in Iraq," series creator and writer Ilene Chaiken tells the New York Daily News. "Once we finished our first season with her and touched upon the issue, we said we have to do 'Don't ask, don't tell'."

As closeted soldier Tasha Williams, Rollins plays a character who loves her career in the military, regardless of the traumas she has endured serving in Iraq. Although her sexual orientation is known to some of her other gay colleagues, so far she has managed to keep her commanders off her back. While back home in the U.S., Tasha meets radio and web site hostess Alice Pieszecki (Leisha Hailey) and falls in love with her.

Alice's refusal to keep herself and their relationship under wraps threatens to bust Tasha's secret life wide open and put her in danger of being discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Now Tasha has to face the decision of whether to try to salvage her career at the expense of her lover or fight the system that has decided being openly gay and serving in the military is incompatible.

The issue that Tasha, and the real gays & lesbians serving in the military are dealing with, is a pivotal one also being faced by the current Democratic and Republican contenders in the 2008 presidential race. All of the current Democratic frontrunners, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards support repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. On the Republican side, however, contenders John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and Ron Paul all support keeping the policy in place.

Rollins said she spoke with a number of soldiers about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy while researching her role on The L Word and was moved by their stories. "These women have been through so much," she told the New York Daily News.

GLBT Americans will likely have to wait until at least 2009 and the election of a new president to see how the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" issue will be resolved—or won't. L Word fans, however, only have to wait until Sunday night to watch the next chapter of Tasha's story

Info from Gay.com

The L Word": Preview! Spoilers! Vote!

next >
Season five of the now-legendary lesbian series "The L Word" kicked off last week, and as usual, we've received a lot of e-mails from curious readers wanting to know what happens.
I haven't seen the full season, but I have seen the first eight episodes, and if you ask me, it's the best since season one. They've stepped up the humor big time; a lot of screen time consists of the gals just hanging out having fun; there's a lot of sex and there's even some good news for Bette and Tina fans. Bottom line -- the show is fun again.

(By the way, we're always reading about how "The L Word" has so many gay male viewers, but is that actually true? We want to know once and for all! After you read the preview, definitely vote in our Gay.com and PlanetOut Gay Vote: Do gay men watch "The L Word?")

So here are some answers to your "L Word" season five questions. Warning -- there are major spoilers ahead, so don't read any further if you'd rather be surprised ...

Is there more sex this year? Finally?

There is a lot of sex in the new season! Characterwise, the sex scenes seems to be distributed equally -- and Tina hasn't gotten this much action since she was pregnant. Despite a preview showing her swearing off women, Shane actually has a lot of really hot sex scenes -- and in episode two, she beds an entire bridal party.

Helena has prison sex, Alice has Tasha sex, Jenny has casting couch sex and I'm not giving away the Bette sex.

I heard Marina comes back again.

No, there's no Marina. However, there is a woman who plays Marina, and she's even hotter. See, the overall plot of the new season revolves around Jenny's book "Lez Girls" being made into a film, with Jenny directing and Tina as executive producer. They'll cast actresses to play the fictional versions of the characters of "Lez Girls," -- and the one who plays "Karina" (who's supposed to be Marina) is stunning. She's played by Patricia Velasquez, who you'll recognize mostly from "The Mummy."

What about the new cast members? Hot? Not? Stupid? Smart?

There are a lot of new faces this year, but in the first eight episodes, the three most notable are Adele, Nikki and Dawn Denbo.

Blonde bombshell Kate French plays Nikki, the up-and-coming Hollywood actress who signs on to play Jenny in "Lez Girls." Because her character is the lead in the movie French has a fairly big role in the new season -- and she hooks up with Jenny. Personally, I'll be very interested in seeing how fans react to this actress, because I wasn't impressed with her at all.

On the other hand, newcomer Malaya Rivera Drew is so beautiful and talented she steals almost every scene she's in. In a plot line reminiscent of "All About Eve," Drew plays Adele, Jenny's new assistant. With her messy hair, oversized geeky glasses, mousy demeanor and a wild devotion to boss Jenny, Adele seems like a perfect -- and perfectly harmless -- assistant. But as the weeks go on, questions are raised about Adele -- and things get awfully suspicious. Despite her unglamorous look in the first few episodes, you can tell Adele's a knockout waiting to happen -- and when Jenny gives her a makeover in episode eight, holy ***, is she gorgeous.

Last but not definitely not least is Dawn Denbo. Played by Elizabeth Keener (yes, that is Catherine's little sister -- and man, does talent run in that family), Dawn is an established lesbian club owner from Florida who opens up a new hot spot right down the street from Kit's Planet. This character is killer funny. "Hi, I'm Dawn Denbo and this is my lover Cindy" is how she warmly greets every single person she comes in contact with. But definitely don't get on her bad side. If you cross her, "Dude, it's on!" Have sex with her lover Cindy behind her back? "Dude, it is SO ON!" Call the cops on her club for permit issues? "DUDE IT'S SO ****ing ON AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN!" Her words, not mine. Why they didn't introduce Dawn Denbo as a regular character years ago is beyond me.

What's up with Phyllis and Joyce?

Phyllis (Cybill Shepherd) is back with Joyce (Jane Lynch), but they break up within the first few episodes because Phyllis wants to play the field. Interesting note: If the actress who plays Phyllis' daughter, Molly, looks remarkably similar to a young Cybill Shepherd, it's because it's Shepherd's real-life daughter, Clementine.

Speaking of Molly: One of the best parts of the new season revolves around Shane's budding attraction to her. The two have pretty good chemistry together, and even though Molly's straight, no one can resist Shane. Though she does give Shane a run for her money ...

Is Jenny as annoying as ever?

Yes and no. Because she's making her first feature film, Jenny turns into an over-the-top, completely demanding director. The newfound uber-diva behavior Jenny exhibits in the new season is definitely less annoying than the way Jenny's acted in seasons past -- it's even slightly entertaining. Also, love her or hate her, you can't deny the insane hotness of Mia Kirshner, and maybe it's just me, but she looks hotter than she ever has before. Shallow note: Kirshner seems to have gained a few pounds, but in my opinion, the extra weight looks great.

I know everyone loves Alice and Tasha as a couple, but sorry, I don't. Are they still together?

To me, Tasha's way too serious for Alice, so I'm sort of with you on that, but the two are very much together in the first eight episodes. They do have a very hot sex scene in the first episode, and the two look awesome together.

I watched the video preview on Showtime and it insinuates that Bette and Tina are getting back together. Are they?

That is one thing I won't spoil, so you'll just have to watch. But trust me -- do not take your eyes away from the camera in the last 15 minutes of episode four ...

Does Shane stay with Paige?

Shane and Paige break up in the first episode. They go to rent an apartment together, but after being hit on by the super-cute real estate agent, Shane succumbs to her old ways. Hell hath no fury like a women scorned: Just ask Paige -- she burns Shane's hair salon down.

What's up with Helena in jail?

Helena does end up in the slammer, but she adjusts amazingly well. She even falls in love with her cellmate, Dusty. But don't get too attached to Helena: Her mother Peggy bails her out in episode three and -- well, you'll just have to watch. Two notes: First, if you've ever wanted to see Bette and Helena hook up, don't miss the first part of episode two. Second: Is it just me, or is Holland Taylor the hottest older woman on TV? She and Lesley Stahl are really rockin' in their 60s. Or are they in their 70s?

There's a lot more to talk about regarding the new season, so keep coming back for our "L Word" coverage.

One last observation: We all think of Leisha when we think of laughs on "The L Word," but trust me on this -- keep a close eye on Kate Moennig this year when it comes to humor. Moennig's delivered her fair share of punch lines in seasons past, but she now seems to have mastered the unique balance of timing, rhythm and deadpan that make a good comedic actress great. How'd she do it?

'The L Word' Lowdown

Episode 502: "Look Out, Here They Come"
Article Date: 01/14/2008

'L' stands for Lust in this week's episode of The L Word as Shane lets her libido get her into a whole mess of trouble and Helena learns the joys of being shacked up in jail with a hot cellmate. Let's be honest, an L Word episode full of lesbian sex is just what the doctor ordered to offset the pain of the season opener's Jenny Schecter madness.
The first spoken line of The L Word this week pretty much sums it up: "More lesbian sex, I want more of it!" Hell yeah! Though I must personally say it was somehow oddly not hot at all to see Jennifer Beals and Katherine Moennig making out in the 'fantasy' intro. Talk about lack of chemistry…

Contrary to Jenny's comment that nobody ever wants to see Nina (a.k.a. Tina) having sex, however, the fantasy scene between Moennig and Laurel Holloman was delicious. I'll have more of that with a slice of Leisha Hailey in the middle please. As for Bev (Bette) and Helen (Helena)—hysterical, but oddly embarrassing…

Speaking of Helena, who didn't expect her to eventually get down and dirty with her muscle-bound cellmate? Okay, so no surprise there, but leave it to The L Word creators to add a giggle to an otherwise super-hot sex scene by making the tough prison dyke a tax fraud rather than a homicidal maniac. Very cute ladies. That goes ditto for the 'classic' dropping the soap prison scene, which frankly was just an excuse for having Rachel Shelley naked for another extended period of time—just admit it. Not that we're complaining, of course. Though the girl could use a little more meat on her bones. She nearly vanishes when she turns sideways.

Scooting over to our other sexpot, Shane, did anyone else think having her hopping from bridesmaid to bridesmaid to bride's mom was just a bit too contrived? Far be it from me to say anything negative about seeing Moennig getting it on with three lovelies in one day—but come on. I know it's Los Angeles, but this was stretching the suspension of disbelief a little much—even the bride goes in for a lip lock? What is this, all the bi-curious babes lined up in one event?

Obviously the L Word powers-that-be want a good reason for plunging Shane down the road to self-imposed celibacy (as hinted at in previews), but a tangle of women in wedding attire chasing her down the street? One would think having your most recent ex burn down your business would have been enough of a clue without all the silly fluff of Shane laying half a wedding party.

On the subject of missing the obvious, when is Tina just going to give in and admit she wants back in Bette's pants and stop pussyfooting around with unsuitable replacements? The wait to see Bette and Tina back in action again is unbearable. Plus, we can't wait to see the *** hit the fan when Bette inevitably cheats on Jodi as we all know she must. The whole Bette being jealous over Jodi's other girlfriends in the last season was entirely foreshadowing of Bette's own inability to keep her hands to herself—we know it. Now show it! Not that we don't love Jodi, of course. Marlee Matlin is fabulous, sexy and fun, but Bette needs a girl to dominate properly and Jodi just ain't it. And hey, L Word hair people, what is up with Jodi's locks anyway? Looks like a crimping iron got out of hand or something...

I wonder if perhaps Max (Daniela Sea) might be interested in a little domination. I must say, the idea of Max hooking up with Jodi's cute interpreter boy Tom (Jon Wolfe Nelson) was a delightful little amusement this week. After all, Moira/Max has hooked up with a gay boy before—remember that weird make out session with Alan Cumming a while back? Some might get all up in arms about having a former lesbian transman end up snogging with a gay man, but I'm all for it.

Human sexuality is a rainbow of diversity and the more complicated it gets, the more like real life it truly is. It was actually rather sad when Alice went from bisexual to pure lesbo and I personally think Tina would be much happier as a bi gal—but that's just me. Having a true bisexual character on The L Word would be terrific, having a bi trans character would be even more tasty.

Getting past the hookups and the fun speculation, we turn to the serious side of The L Word—namely, Tasha and her impending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" battle. I loved the smackdown Tasha received when her old military buddy basically told her she was an abomination for being queer. Why? Because that's life people. When you hide who you are, you can't expect people to honestly care about you and respect you when they find out you've been living a lie. It's a lesson Tasha needs to seriously come to term with—along with half the population.

Rose Rollins plays the stoic Tasha beautifully, but I'm waiting for her to get the chance to vent some major rage over the betrayal of our country in regard to our brave gay & lesbian soldiers in the military. That betrayal isn't just a nebulous idea out there, it's personal to every one of those men and women—and extends right down to their friends, family and collegues. At least she still has the love of a hot girl like Alice, even if Tasha still hasn't quite come to terms with herself yet.

Last but not least, finally there is something to cheer about regarding the endless bullshit of the Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner) storyline. A stalker! Okay, so she might seem like a nice, bookworm-ish girl who loves literature. But I know, somewhere inside there, a dangerous, obsessive psycho is waiting to be born.

Maybe having some little crazy biatch come after her in a Single White Female confrontation might just shake Jenny loose from her narcissistic spiral into stupidity. One can only hope.

Info from l word fansite
L Word 4 Convention: MARCH 14TH-16TH

Who would believe that when the first ever L Word Convention was announced for London in November 2006 that there would be L2 and L3 and L4? I can still remember how excited I was when I found out that Laurel Holloman and Rachel Shelley were two of the cast members participating in the first convention. By then, I was already a fan of The L Word for a year and a TiBetter. So, to have a chance to see at least one member of my favorite couple was a dream come true.

The first L Convention turned out to be all I imagine and more. I saw and talked to Laurel who was amazing then just as she’s amazing now. I met many friends from different TLW boards and realized I wasn’t the only obsessed and addicted fan and TiBetter. I traveled somewhere I’ve never been before and I had a really, really great time.

And now it’s year 2008 and another L Word Convention is coming pretty quick. Surprisingly, it’s going to be held earlier this year. Usually it happens in November-December but this time, Starfury is organizing this event for March.

The L Word fans, here’s your mission if you choose to accept it. Come to London, the Thistle Heathrow Hotel in March for a three day L-Event, featuring guests’ talks, autograph and photo sessions, parties and a great time with your friends. Some of you might have a once in a lifetime chance to meet Laurel Holloman, Rachel Shelley, Sarah Shahi and Anne Ramsey.

The tickets are still available. To buy them and to find more information about L4 Convention and other conventions that are held in England by the Starfury, go to http://www.seanharry.com.

The L Word’ Had a Dream …

Inevitably, certain episodes of a narrative series exist only as bridges to better (we hope!) future installments. Suffice to say that this week's “Lady of the Lake,” while it hinted at better things to come, kicked off with a random dream sequence featuring the girls, as Charlie's Angels, on a mission to shoot gaydar guns at Jenny. Good thing it was fairly amusing. Farrah Fawcett doesn't have anything on Alice Pieszecki. Well, not much, anyway.

Hookups
Tina finally gets some. And how! She meets a heart doctor — nice heavy-handed metaphor for the folks watching at home — on ourchart.com (shill-o-meter ... hitting ... gazillion.5) who likes both art and dirty talk. They go at it on the first date. As Tina's shirt comes off, the learned healer says, “You have really great tits.” Dr. Feelgood then whips off her top to reveal “augmented” double-D knockers.

Shane Frenches Helena, but she doesn't mean it. Turns out we can't just chalk up last week's wedding shenanigans to questionable script writing: Shane, now having an existential crisis, has sworn off sex. The lack of action has Shane “freakishly clearheaded” and pondering the meaning of “salubrious.” It also makes her turn an innocent hug into an embarrassing kiss.

Processing
Helena's rich mother, Peggy Peabody (this season, actress Holland Taylor looks noticeably more fresh-faced — perhaps she's gone off sex, too…), springs Helena from jail, planning to whisk her away from America and its pesky judicial system. But Helena has plans of her own — just, like, reclaiming that money she stole, liberating her lover Dusty from jail, and fleeing to an island paradise.

Tasha's woes continue. Now she has to deal with a stunningly flat stereotype of a homophobe as her defense attorney. That southern accent he's packing adds a certain je ne sais predictable to the proceedings.

When Bette and Jodi go to a lake house to hang out with Jodi's longtime buddies, it's clear that Bette's not down with this boundary-less, faux salt-of-the-earth football-playing crowd. This is the scene where again we're supposed to think that Bette is outrageously uptight. Maybe because we, too, hate (1) when strangers gallop up to us with tongues a-wagging, and (2) bougie jackanapes who play at being down-homey while vacationing, we were on Bette's side this time. But, phew! Bette gets a reprieve when she's called back to L.A. to help Kit recover from being held up at gunpoint. And so do we. —Caryn Brooks nymag.com

The L Word Lowdown

Episode 503: "Lady Of The Lake"
Article Date: 01/21/2008 (Gay wired.com)
By L. A. Vess



WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Why does it not surprise me that in a Charlie's Angels fantasy on The L Word, Shane would be picked for the Kate Jackson role?

Though Leisha Hailey swirling Farah Fawcett hair and Rachel Shelley wielding a 'gaydar gun' against Mia Kirshner was terribly amusing, Kate Moennig's horrid parody of Jackson's accent took the cake. However, this isn't Charlie's L Word and cute as it was, the bit dragged on far too long.

Okay, we get it, you're funny, now let's get on with the show shall we? In humor, knowing when the joke has gone on long enough is important ladies.

Now, true humor is Shane declaring, as she said, "a moratorium on sex, a moratorium on drama and a moratorium on jealousy." Poor Shane. She doesn't seem to get that having sex is not what creates her drama, it's having excessive sex with every female she can get her hands on. Has she never heard of the whole "too much of a good thing" idea? "Sex is natural - sex is good", as George Michael sings, but anything taken in massive quantities is bound to lead to disaster.

Shane seems to think replacing sex with a hefty dose of exercise will fix the problem. However, as "freakishly clearheaded" as she believes this makes her, it is only replacing one addiction with another. The first step, dear player, is to admit you have an addiction. A nice visit to Sexaholics Anonymous would probably be more beneficial than pushups. Well, except that Shane would probably bag half the girls after the first meeting…

On to another definition of sex, specifically referring to gender, we have something interesting brewing on the Max front. Poor Max still can't get Alice to listen to him about his transgender podcast (some future drama in play there), but there's at least one person who is very interested in Max's take on sexuality. Namely, Jodi's interpreter Tom. Even though he now knows Max used to be Moira, he still can't get over how hot Max is. It seems like Max might just be thinking about Tom too.

In pondering the possibilities of hooking up with a guy, Max manages to spout possibly the most profound statement of the evening: "I heard this theory that what's genetically encoded in us isn't attraction to me or attraction to women, but same-sex attraction." Now that's a topic worth exploring and I hope the whole Max/Tom storyline turns up some interesting fodder for debate.

Meanwhile, over in the pokey, Helena seems to be adjusting well to inmate life. Parading around the prison yard making deals and pocketing smokes, it seems she is no longer in danger of a nasty girl gang bang in the shower room. This, of course, being all due to the protection of her hot-bodied cellmate lover. Love is in the air, y'all! But is it all about to be wrecked by Helena's suddenly returned Mummy?

That's right, Helena's mom has returned from gallivanting all over the world to rescue her 'darling' baby from jail. Peggy Peabody may be a royal bitch, but you gotta love a woman who responds to an inmate's catcall of "let me eat your pussy" with the rejoinder, "If I were receptive to such a proposition, it would first require a full booty check and were you to pass muster, baby I would give it to you family style." Mmmm, if I were into older women…

Helena doesn't particularly want to be rescued, what with new love sitting back in their prison love nest. Peggy isn't having any of it, of course, and springs her out of the joint, whether she likes it or not. This time, however, 'Mummy' may not have the last word in this battle.

Once again, viewers are forced to watch another commercial for OurChart.com in the midst of their L Word play time. Sure, it's cool to have a nifty lesbian social site spin off from the show. And having it be Alice's pet toy is fun. But honestly, it's getting to the point where it feels like OurChart is being shoved down the unwilling throat of the audience like a dirty sex toy. Any excuse to pull out the laptop (such as finding Tina a date) means yet another OurChart mini-advertisement. The actors seem to be spouting from a marketing brochure explaining social networking to idiots while discussing the site. Eewww, already. Stop wasting precious dialogue time on this crap, please.

The only upside to the whole OurChart intrusion is the video podcast with Jodi demonstrating obscene sign language for "lick my pussy" and other useful phrases. Now lesbians everywhere can fell confident in getting really drunk and propositioning a hot deaf chick in a seedy dyke bar.

Tasha's been served with formal charges for a discharge from the military for homosexual conduct. Even worse, the charges include an allegation that Tasha gave preferential treatment to another female officer because she was sleeping with her. Plus, she's been assigned a homophobic ass to defend her.



Tasha's speech defending herself against the charges should be stapled to the head of every Republican congressman and tattooed on George Bush's ***. Maybe then, they'd at least entertain the idea that gay & lesbian soldiers are just that—soldiers, deserving of equal and respectful treatment by our government.

However, with all of her vehement words, Tasha is still torn between the want for her military life and her desire for Alice and lesbian life. Alice offers to go on the "downlow" for her, but that at least, Tasha is not willing to do. The sad truth is, as it stands there are only two choices. Be out and get kicked out. Or lie through your teeth and maybe save your career. Harsh, but that's the stupidity of our military as it stands.

I was almost starting to like Bette again, now that she's been receiving the humbling benefit of Jodi's smackdowns. But her trip with Jodi to Big Bear showed once again how much of an asinine, snobbish biatch she is at heart. One would think that if you truly loved someone, you'd unwind enough to have a mojito at breakfast and engage in a little touch football.

To that, Bette says hell no, of course. Her precious work is far more important than anyone's happiness—as Tina could have told Jodi right off the bat. Bette deserved getting dumped in the lake. Actually, she deserved being dumped by Jodi right on the spot. Luckily for Bette, she's saved from further humiliation by a frantic call from Kit—who's just been robbed at gunpoint. Thus, Bette has a legitimate reason to flee full speed away from Jodi's icky outdoorsy hippy friends.

Tina, on the other hand, is enjoying a lovely time throwing off her inhibitions. Her new girl-interest is beautiful, businesslike, gives off a semi-'top' vibe and has started her own little art collection. Just the kind of girl Tina likes. It's almost like Tina is hoping to have her own pet "Bette" that she can control and play with like a puppy. A girl pet that likes to talk dirty. We like it. Sadly, we're doubting the new girl will last long. A substitute is just not comparable to the real thing and Tina will no doubt find herself panting after Bette once again.

Back in the free world again, Helena is anything but. Mummy Peggy has plans to take her daughter off to Europe to avoid going back to jail until her millions can clear Helena's records. But Helena has other plans. For once in her life, Helena is making decisions for herself. She's going to take the money she hid away, get her new lover out of jail and run away to a tropical paradise. Could this be the end of our delectable Rachel Shelley on The L Word? Perish the thought!

Though it would explain why she's been naked so much lately, the creators trying to milk that hot body for all it's worth before she flees...

We may be sad to see Helena go, but watching Shane lose her cool and lay one on her as they hugged was too much fun.

When you can't keep your mouth off your friends, that's when it's time to get some therapy girl. Before you decide Jenny starts looking like something you want to start humping.

That (shudder) could cause permanent irreparable harm to us poor viewers.

19th ANNUAL GLAAD MEDIA AWARDS NOMINEES


Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters (ABC)
Degrassi: The Next Generation (The N)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)
Greek (ABC Family)
The L Word (Showtime)

GLAAD will also pay tribute to two of the group's favorite musical artists, Rufus Wainwright and Janet Jackson. They're named special honorees along with late pioneering photographer Herb Ritts, Logo president Brian Graden, actor Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life), The L Word writer-producer Ilene Chaiker and political activist, author and blogger David Mixner.

The 2008 kudocast will follow the same format as previous years, with a ceremony first at New York's Marriott Marquis on Mar. 17, then bashes at South Florida's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Apr. 12, Los Angeles' Kodak Theater on Apr. 26 and San Francisco's Marriot on May 10.

Interview With Laurel Holloman
by
Malinda Lo
Managing Editor
January 20, 2008
After five seasons of The L Word, Laurel Holloman's character, Tina Kennard, has gone through a lifetime's worth of dyke drama. After several breakups, makeups, a baby, a boyfriend, and a diva on a dysfunctional movie set, Holloman told AfterEllen.com that this season has been her favorite to shoot since Season 1.

For those who were exasperated with Tina's behavior over the last couple of seasons, Holloman urged, "Don't give up on Tina. … She's figuring it out."

Although in recent years Holloman has focused on The L Word and her family — she is married to production designer Paul Macherey and mother to 3-year-old Lola — astute lesbian filmgoers will remember her breakthrough role as baby butch Randy Dean in The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995). Holloman also played vampire hunter Justine Cooper on the third season of Angel, and has acted in at least 25 films.

I spoke with the upbeat, friendly Holloman before the premiere of Season 5 of The L Word, and she opened up about Tina's story lines, learning how to play Randy Dean, how much she loved kicking ass on Angel, and her own real-life girl crushes.

AfterEllen.com: I know you probably can't tell me much, but can you give me any hints as to what we can expect from Tina this upcoming season?
Laurel Holloman: She's just full steam ahead in her career, she's producing a movie, and it's really exciting. There's lots of drama, and she has a very antagonistic relationship with Jenny, Mia Kirshner's character, and it's fantastic. We had a lot of fun. I love working with Mia — we work really well together.

So there's some of that, there's some dating, and, you know, there's some Bette and Tina stuff. I can't say what it is, but it's great stuff — it's good. In the last year, you started to see how they became friends, and I think that they needed to do that because they have a lot of wounds. I think that you'll see that continue, and you'll really see them start to really just talk to each other. There's a lot of Jodi, too.

I don't think I can say much more than that. But it's great. So far it's been my favorite season to shoot.

AE: Oh, that's great.
LH: This season and first season were probably my two favorites to so far.

AE: That's great. When I met you at GLAAD last May, you said that it was really hard for you to shoot last year because Tina was off with Henry so much.
LH: Yeah, well … in a way I had a lot more time off, and I tried to enjoy that time with my family and just know that it's an ensemble and things circle back around. I wanted them to explore the relationship with Henry just so that you could understand … why she made that decision, and then understand also why it doesn't work. I think we did touch on that.

It's just as an actor you always want to explore more. But I don't think people want to see his character that much. I totally understand that, too. I just tried to ask Ilene [Chaiken] as many questions as I could so I could come in with whatever was happening with Tina off-screen that maybe you didn't see in the writing, so eventually when you did see it, it made sense. And I think it did.

It's obvious that — and I think you see it up towards the end — when she's on the beach with Annabella Sciorra's character, with Kate [Arden], that she still … has very strong feelings for Bette. Obviously I think … [Bette and Tina] behave in certain very reactive ways and they don't always stay in touch with what they're really feeling and how they're behaving, which is very human.

AE: True. So she was definitely flirting with Kate Arden at the end of the last season. Does she come up too?
LH: It's ... all drama, but I'd say this season is more about the focus on the central characters, the original characters, and those friendships and those relationships. Tina is very much back in the core group, and she's a lot happier. I'd say she's a lot better off and she's in her place. She's not nearly as lost.

For me, the first season and the fifth … kind of bookend everything where you can see this huge arc in between. There was a time my character was very lost, and it's nice to play her more in this season because she's more grounded, she's doing great with work, she's finally at not such a volatile relationship with her ex. And she's back in the fold, so to speak. Do you know what I'm saying?

AE: Yeah. Absolutely. That sounds great.
LH: She's on her own. That's all I'm saying. She's on her own.

AE: Do you have input into how her story line develops?
LH: I don't have so much input in how the story line develops. If there's something that stands out that I'm like, "Whoa, I don't see that happening," I can always say that to Ilene and maybe to Angela [Robinson], but this year it was written so well and it was just really fleshed out. And Rose Troche came back and directed an episode, and I think that's going to be a fabulous episode.

It felt like a really good season, so I just showed up and tried to work as hard as I could, and just be on it. I feel that Ilene listens really well, and she also directed two episodes this year. It's really great working with her, because it's really nice to go to her when you have a question because she knows what's going on. She's written it. She's got a strong idea of how it should be played, and each episode that she directs, the better it gets, I think, because it's just well-thought-out because it's so close to her.

So in that regard I didn't … really want to change anything. If you have an impulse about something, she'll let you go with it. There's a nice freedom on our set, which I find refreshing. Sometimes you try things, and they don't work and you shoot it differently on the next take, and sometimes you try things and you get really interesting stuff and it feels great.

I think that comes from [how] Ilene does have an openness, and I think Jennifer [Beals] and I come in with some ideas [and] try to ask as many questions as we can, and we've already created such an intense history. It's really nice to go to work with her and try to find these things along with the history that we have.


AE: Yeah, it sounds to me like you're saying it's kind of getting back to the same feeling of Season 1.
LH: Yeah, I think so, but still some new characters [are in this season] that are going to be really exciting. The movie industry and the film that Tina is producing really does become a really strong story line, and there are some new characters in that. And it's just there's some great comedy and some great characters. … So it's kind of like back to the original friendships with some new fresh characters added.

And you'll still see Jane Lynch and Cybill [Shepherd], and they're fantastic. But I think there was a strong focus on the friendships of the original characters this year.

AE: That's great. I'm sure that you've heard some fans complaining about Tina's character when she goes back and forth. How does that make you feel?
LH: You know, I feel that it's a five-year show and an hour drama, and if I stayed the same, people would also complain about how boring my character was, too. So the way I feel is I just — the plot, story line and all of that — I have to just follow [it],because that's my job. And then the behavior I create around it is sort of up to me, so I have to ask the questions: "Why is she behaving this way? What's going on?"

Ilene's always really good about creating characters that aren't just black and white. They have little shades of gray, and they don't always behave so perfectly. As an actor it's much more interesting, and I think she created a very likable character in the beginning, and then Tina didn't behave in such a great way in a lot of ways, but that was OK.

I don't think she was that happy all the time in that eight-year relationship. I think she's been stifled, she's been smothered. One thing Ilene always said to me is one reason [Tina] goes to Henry is because she's in a less traditional relationship. She was Bette's wife, and she wasn't happy. Henry lets her have her job, he lets her have a say-so. He's one of those modern males that sort of gets it.

And in that time Bette's character has changed a lot. Like that scene where Tina goes, "You're a control freak!" is really an important theme. She's coaching her on Jodi, but it's doesn't take — it's not until Bette gets in a relationship with Jodi that she sees what her behavior did in those eight years. Also, Tina was betrayed.

AE: Right.
LH: So she's still reeling off the fact that for those eight years she was completely monogamous. I think that's part of her nature, and I think you don't get past those betrayals so simply. I don't think once you're betrayed, unless you're just like a doormat, you don't go back and go, "I'd love to be your wife again! I can't wait for you to cheat on me again." That would make a really boring character.

I have to love who I'm playing, because you can't really judge your characters. If you do, they don't play that well, so in some ways I do understand her — in a lot of ways I do. And I think ... like so many of the other characters, we all don't sort of play it so great. [laughs] It's a drama!

AE: Well among the characters of the show —
LH: Yeah, I personally feel like I don't act for likability, I act for the truth of the character. I think that's important as a performer, because you have to find the inner truth of why someone's behaving this way. … I think people probably like the way she's behaving this year [laughs]. She's doing the best she can. She has her reasons, too.

I think it's interesting because when I meet a lot of fans, people fall on either one side of the fence [or the other]. They're like: "Oh, yeah, my ex cheated on me. I went off with someone else too." It just happened to be that Tina went off with a guy, so it just depends on maybe where you were in your partnership or what role you played.

I do think the one thing about Tina that hasn't changed is she's kind of monogamous by nature, and she has an intense loyalty. Before she hooked up with Henry, she did break up with Bette. They were broken up. And so I think when you see her dating, she's not a player. She has to have a connection, like even with Helena she had to have some sort of connection.

A lot of that connection was based on Helena seeing Tina as beautiful at a time where she didn't feel beautiful. She'd gained weight, she's pregnant, she'd been betrayed. She wasn't feeling so good about herself and there's this connection that's made between those two women, and so Tina goes out and has a full-on relationship while she's hugely pregnant. That was a whole interesting thing to play.

And it's not like — if you want to look at other characters — it's not like Tina's out there hooking up all the time. A lot of what's explored in fifth season is how does she date? How does she do it? One of the great lines in fifth season … is, "Bette sets a high bar." She's picky, you know, Tina's really picky. I think she's a romantic, and I think Bette has been the love of her life. … It's hard to just sort of date. And what's she gonna do, pick up a younger girl at a bar and go, "Woo, we had a good time!" It's not exactly in her nature. I don't think she seeks sex to gain power, that kind of situation. She has to feel connected with somebody.

AE: You have shot a lot of love scenes throughout the five seasons. What was one of the hardest ones to do?
LH: The end of the first season.

AE: The fighting one.
LH: The fighting one. That's probably hands down one of the hardest scenes I've ever shot. But Jennifer was great and we had Tony Goldwyn [as our director], who is very patient because he also was an actor. I think he took a lot of time. We rehearsed it, and we blocked it, and we talked about it.

A lot of people saw that scene as some version of a rape, but if you really pay attention to what happens in the scene, it's full of anger and grief and sadness, and Tina actually puts Bette's hand inside of her. So it's not a rape. She's trying to find any last bit of empowerment — that turns on itself in a sexual situation — and Bette is just trying to get forgiveness out of it and love back. And she's going through grief and loss and like, "I didn't mean to hurt you," trying to reconnect.

One of the reasons we did shoot that is because we also wanted to show that in relationships it's not always sweet and tender sex, and when you get something as dark as a betrayal in such a long-term partnership in there, the sex is going to turn dark. And it did, and no one had really shot that. I think they've probably shot it in movies in heterosexual scenes and stuff, but not really in any lesbian scenes that I've seen.

It wasn't like we intended to make anything super dark, it just — that's what organically started to happen. I think Jennifer also came away from it being very proud of that scene because it was so difficult.

And … I'm extremely proud of the scene we shot in the pilot where after the potential threesome, where we're looking for sperm, turns into a really fantastic love scene. It's a real journey for me because I also did a sex scene with Jennifer when I was eight months pregnant, and I did a sex scene with Rachel Shelley when I was six months pregnant, and both of those scenes are beautiful to me ... in the way that they celebrate the female body. They celebrate the power of motherhood and this beautiful gift we're given as women to be able to have children, and they're completely unique in their own way.

I really love the scene between [Bette] and Tina when they make love after they've gone to the ultrasound and they look at their baby. When you look at the different journeys that they've had, of course in this amount of time and what they've gone through, these are the types of scenes that you would reflect on … and I think it's possible if they had scenes in the future that they would be really unique, too [laughs].

AE: [laughs] I'll take that as a hint.
LH: I do. I mean, I don't really know. But I would imagine that if they had scenes in the future, like wow, think of all the history they have now!

AE: Well you guys have really —
LH: From whether, like, do they have experience with other people? What's happening? But I wouldn't know. I would just imagine that.



AE: You and Jennifer Beals have really great chemistry together, so I think Bette and Tina work well as a couple whether they're together or not. But if you had to choose from among the other couples on the show, what are some of your other favorite couples?
LH: I think Alice [Leisha Hailey] and Tasha [Rose Rollins]. I remember when I first saw one of their love scenes in an early cut, I was blown away. They just look so beautiful together. I mean, they both are so beautiful, but I just felt like there was a really interesting dynamic between the two of them. I just think Rose Rollins is just amazing, and Leisha's energy in everything that she creates with Alice is just really great.

AE: What's the atmosphere like on the set? Are you guys all together, hanging out all day?
LH: You know, it just depends on what's going on. Some people hang out more, it just depends on what your shooting schedule is and how many scenes you have. Like I probably hung out more this year with Mia and Rose, and sometimes with Jennifer, sometimes not. … My character has a lot of stuff with the new people because most of the new people on the show are part of the movie, so there are some really great actresses coming in and I had stuff with them, like Malaya Rivera Drew and Kate French, Elizabeth Keener, who is fantastic.

So it just sort of depends on what you're shooting and where, because it's also a balance of what else is going on in your life. Like my daughter and my husband went back to L.A. for a little while towards the end, and so I hang out with the girls a little more during that time. And Kate [Moennig] and Leisha and everyone is like, "Oh whoa! I'm glad you're like goin' out with us and dancin' all night, havin' some shots."

It's not like I take the time to do that that much when my family is there. It's a hard juggle because we do shoot long hours. But the thing that's easy about it now is that we just all know each other really well. And I think we all know what we want to do with the characters and it's just like a family. Yeah. It's nice, and there's a lot less drama, I feel.

AE: Was there drama in the past?
LH: Yeah, I mean I just think it took a couple years to get adjusted. Not bad drama. It feels like a comfortable chair that you like sitting in. [laughs] … Like a family. A family with less dysfunction [laughs]. … I guess that everyone feels so lucky to have [it], and that's a nice thing. And I think we know that at some point that it will end, and knowing that … creates a real sentimental slant on it, and also just a real sense of pride that we've accomplished what we have, and then just the hope that we get maybe at least another year or something.

AE: So you guys haven't had any hints about whether they're going to pick up another season?
LH: No. We haven't had any. … I'm not even sure if Showtime knows. With the writers' strike, that puts another slant on it. I still don't know what that would do. I think everybody just tries to stay focused on the present. There's not much we can do. … To me it's like people are really excited about this season.

AE: I wanted to ask you about something that happened quite a while ago. You basically got your break shooting The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love, and at that stage there werevery few lesbians in TV and film. That was only 12 years ago, and things have changed so much since then. Now you've played this really iconic character on The L Word, which is part of the reason that we see more lesbians on TV. How do you feel about being part of that major change in pop culture?
LH: Proud. The simple answer is just I feel very proud. And you know, they're probably connected. I'm sure one of the reasons that they considered me for L Word maybe was based on the fact that I did Two Girls, but I also had to go in and prove that I was Tina. Tina's different than Randy Dean. Like Randy Dean would never grow up to be Tina.

AE: Absolutely. They're very different people.
LH: They're really different people, and to me that felt really good, that a character that I pulled out of my back pocket when I was in my 20s — I was nothing like Randy Dean. It took four weeks to get her down, and I still watch that movie and go, "Oh, maybe I could have done this or that," but I fought for that movie, and I changed my appearance, and I did tons of research.

A lot of that had to do with how intense Maria Maggenti is, and how wonderful she is, and how much she helped me create this character. … I think a lot of people think they just plucked me off of the street, but I had actually done a lead in a movie before that where I looked completely different from Randy Dean. You wouldn't even know. I've even worked with people that say that Two Girls was one of their favorite movies and still didn't realize I was Randy Dean after they've sat with me for a while. And that's fantastic to me. That's kind of what it's all about.

But it's really amazing, because when we did Two Girls in Love there was that whole question of, "Is anyone going to watch it? Is someone gonna buy it? What's gonna really happen?" And that's connected also to things like Go Fish. I don't know if we would've gotten bought if Go Fish hadn't gotten bought. Then Go Fish did well, and we got really lucky and we went to Sundance with it, and it's just sort of this journey.

To me the beautiful thing is that The L Word reaches so many people … in so many different countries, and that's just something that independent film can't always do. Two Girls was great in the way that it opened up a lot of doors. I shot 25 films after I made that movie, maybe even more now, I'm not sure. But it really opened up all of these doors, but a lot of them were also in independent film because that's what I was focused on because that's where I started, and that's where I thought the freedom was lying — within the writer-directors.

I still believe very much in independent film because it's not navigated or dictated by a studio or a network, but it's such a celebration to be on L Word and have it get picked up, go for five years, be in so many countries. You really feel that when you go over to Europe and you meet people in London, and people travel to London from Japan because they've seen it, and you hear the stories of how they had nothing to watch until this show. That's when it starts to hit you that you've been part of pop culture, and you've been part of something that's having a social impact and a political impact in a time that we need it.

You know, I would be very curious to see what happens 10 years from now. To me it's a great compliment — I mean, in a whole body of work, I've played two lesbians, but they were both really fantastic women in a great way, and I'd play another one in a second if the writing's good and it's something I believe in. I guess I'm sort of an example of, if you play a gay character, it only can help your career. I believe that it just doesn't matter any more.

AE: That's great, because I'm sure that when you took the role of Randy, people probably told you that it was a risky move, but obviously it has paid off.
LH: Yeah. Mostly the people that represented me really supported me because they had also seen me do a lot of different things, and I think they thought, "Yeah, here she goes. We're just going to let her go do her thing." There were times where I think I was maybe told to be a little more ingénue-y, whatever that is — I don't even know if I am really what that is.

But I just sort of look for interesting parts, and then I kind of think of who the character is, and then I think of what they look like, then I think of intellectually how to break them down psychologically, you know, try to do my homework and then show up and present it. And I think sexuality is an aspect of that.

Just like for Tina, I came into that thinking, oh, she came out in college, she's had all these girlfriends, blah blah blah, and Ilene and Rose Troche were like, "No, no, not like that." I'm like, "Really? What's it like?" And they're like, "She was with a man," and then, Bette flipped her. I was like, "Really? OK."

It shows you that sexuality for Tina — it's an aspect. It's a part. Then as she falls in love with Bette, she was with her for eight years, then it starts to become her identity. Then when she's not back with her friends anymore and she dates a man, she loses part of herself, so then you see what does it mean for someone in their 30s when they go through this entire journey. Very different than the person who's out in high school, the Randy Dean. Randy Dean would have never gone with a guy, but essentially that was the makeup of her sexuality — different from Tina's. That's what's really fascinating to me with characters.

I mean, every character I look at now — because of the work I've done — I will always look at it as part of a history, like, has this person had a lesbian experience? Has this person only been straight? Is this person bicurious and they're completely pent up and angry and frustrated? [laughs] I think that's your job as an actor, to really assess every aspect of that person. Is this person asexual? Is there something very disturbing and dark about this person? You have to go in there and look at all of that and you have to be fearless. That's all I want to do.

When it's all said and done, I want people to say, "Gosh, she was fearless. She shot when she was about to give birth and she was enormous and she was fat, and she's fearless," you know, or, "She did this crazy scene and it looked like it was a rape, but it wasn't. It was grief, and a relationship that was deteriorating."

It goes back to the likability thing, and I think as far as the career goes, it's the fearlessness that interests me, not the trying to mold yourself to fit into something that makes everybody go, "Oh yeah, she's castable," because then you've lost the thing that makes you unique.

I remember working with this person who's very famous, and he's a great actor, and he said to me one time: "Don't compare and contrast. Really celebrate what makes you an individual, and don't compare yourself to anyone else's career and you'll have a great time while you're doing it." And he also used to say things like, "What we do is not who we are," and those things I find to be true.

Like, if you let certain things in your life happen to you, like have relationships, not have relationships, be in love, have a family, have a child, all of those things will enhance your work. But if you just focus on the work and don't do those things, then you don't really have that much to pull out.

AE: You've also played a lot of roles that are not lesbian, obviously, and one of them was that really kick-ass chick on Angel. Do you miss playing those kind of roles?
LH: Yeah, I loved that role. … At that time I just lived in New York, I was just kind of doing my own thing, and I didn't really understand the cult following of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. But it was really my manager who said, "You need to take a good look at this because I think it's really good, and Joss Whedon writes really well, and the actors really love his stuff." And of course when I took a second look at it I was like, "Yeah, this is amazing."

They said that the prototype for the character was Ripley from Alien. They wanted an older person that had some edge and had a fight, military vibe, and I went in and read for them and I got in my car to go home, and they offered me the part right there, and that was really exciting. I was only supposed to shoot a few [episodes], and I think I shot eight. … It was really a wonderful experience because it was a strong woman that was angry and violent, and it had a lot of stunts in it. At a certain point you have to go, "Oh wow, am I ever going to really play an action hero? Maybe not, but I'll play this!" And it was great.

And he [Joss Whedon] writes great stuff for women. All of his women are really edgy and there are a lot of metaphors in his writing, and there's just a lot of sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek type of stuff. I think it taught me a lot, too, about not taking it all too seriously, and that it's about character and it's about good writing. … That was my first experience with long-term TV, and then I went right into L Word after we finished that season, and I just had so much fun.

I didn't realize how many people watched Angel until right after it came out and [found out] that it had kind of a cult following. The funny thing is Jennifer Beals has watched all of Buffy and all of Angel. She's a huge fan, and that cracks me up. [laughs] She loves it, and I'm really glad I did that part. I'd love to do something like that again.

My fantasy would be to do some version of The Brave One, the TV show version of it. I'm very fascinated by how people behave in moments of grief and loss. … I'm also interested in the ferociousness that motherhood creates and how animalistic we become after we have children, and ultimately what it means to protect them. Those types of things interest me.

AE: Those are deep issues to delve into.
LH: I know, I should try to go for a comedy but it just doesn't really come my way [laughs].

AE: What are you looking at now?
LH: Nothing right now. I'm just back slowly starting to audition and meet and see if anything fits, and hoping the show [The L Word] goes again, and we'll see. I don't know. There's a couple things that I'm hoping for, but I don't know.

AE: Is there a question that you always get asked in interviews?
LH: Yeah. It's amazing because you guys never ask this and Diva and She magazine, they never ask "What's it like to kiss a girl?" But sometimes you'll get a straight publication that's like, "What's it like to kiss a girl?" and I just want to laugh at them. I want to be like: "It's really nice. You should try it."

I don't know what to say to that question because it's just a silly question to me at this point. That question is like a dinosaur. It's dated. You know what I'm saying? That's kind of silly. … Like hey, let's talk about these characters, let's talk about these women, let's talk about these relationships, let's talk about the political climate we're in. What do you feel like when you watch me kiss a woman, I don't know, can you answer it? I know who my character is, and this is part of who she is, this is part of everything that makes her up.

AE: I have another question for you. Who's the first girl you had a crush on?
LH: The first girl I ever had a crush on when I was younger was Kristy McNichol.

AE: Kristy McNichol. Classic choice.
LH: Classic, and probably eventually Jodie Foster. But I don't know if that's a crush or just somebody that I admire so much. It could be one of those talent crushes. But I remember just thinking that Kristy McNichol was probably the coolest thing I've ever seen, and Little Darlings?

AE: Yeah, that's what she was in.
LH: Yeah, I just remember there was so much soulfulness, if you look at that film and her trying so hard to be tough, and underneath being very vulnerable. I'm trying to think — I didn't have any girl crushes in my life when I was younger, real-life ones, and after I shot Two Girls in Love, I got a crush on someone that worked on that movie.

AE: Oh, OK.
LH: Yeah, so there you go.

AE: Anything more that you'd like to tell me about that?
LH: Just that, um, that — that crush probably turned into my first experience with a woman, and it was beautiful and amazing, and it never happened again, and I wished it had. But anyway, there you go. [laughs]

AE: That's great.
LH: But now I'm married, married and monogamous. Very married, very happy.

AE: How old is your daughter now?
LH : She's 3.

AE: Three, OK.
LH: Yeah, yeah, and I have an honesty that I probably shouldn't have so much about all of these things, but I learned a lot from Two Girls until now, and one thing I've learned — because I have had people try to tell me what I can say to the press — [is] I just like to be myself. And that's what I want to emulate for my daughter, that it's OK to be honest.

AE: That's wonderful.
LH: I'm not a person that wants to live in a state of fear. Oh, I know a weird question I'm always asked! What do fans do? Has a fan done anything weird? And, um, no. Because I don't live in this state of paranoia about fans, and I've been really lucky, and everyone's been so gracious and so excited that the show's there.

I mean, even when Tina was behaving badly, I went out to Dinah Shore and I did some autograph signing, and like I kind of booed Tina's behavior, and they did too, but then after that everyone was really nice to me [laughs]. I'm not just saying this, it's really the truth: We have the best fans! We have the best fans.

AE: Is there anything else that you want to tell your fans?
LH: Thank you. [laughs] And don't give up on Tina. Don't give up on Tina, that's all I have to say. She's trying to find her way back into her true self, and I think she had to take this time to grow as a person, and just grow up a little bit and figure out who she is outside of the dynamic of that relationship. She struggled with who she is in that. She's figuring it out.

AE: That sounds very hopeful.
LH: Yeah, everyone has to remember that Bette's in a relationship with Jodi. Tina's doing the best she can. She's alone. She's the loner now. So that takes a lot of courage, and I think that's where Tina starts to really mature.

AE: I look forward to seeing it. I really do.
LH: Yeah, good. I love your website!

AE: Oh, thanks! I'm glad you do.
LH: Yeah, I just think that you guys do a really good job, and I just think it's great.