Star of "Rude Awakening"

Showtime presents

November 27, 1999

Actress Sherilyn Fenn chats about her role on Showtime's comedy series "Rude Awakening," what it was like to work with David Lynch on "Twin Peaks," and discusses her other television and film work, including the controversial "Boxing Helena."

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Showtime: Hello and welcome to tonight's chat. Sherilyn Fenn star of Showtime's edgiest comedy, "Rude Awakening," is here to talk to you. Thanks for joining us. Without further ado… here's Sherilyn Fenn!

Sherilyn Fenn: Hi, everyone!

Punt-Me: What were your initial thoughts about your Rude Awakening character, Billie Frank?

Sherilyn Fenn: I think I was scared, intimidated by the first episode. It felt very raw to me. Not very flattering, which in addition was one of the reasons that I liked it--the idea that alcohol wasn't being glamorized, and we were going to show a real person with real addictions, one that was trying (unsuccessfully at times) trying to deal with her problems, as we all do in real life.

Regetim: Is it easy for you to separate yourself from the characters you play, or do you become really involved when you bring them to life?

Sherilyn Fenn: I think for me, as an actress, there's almost always a parallel with the characters that I play and different things that I work through as a result. However, my life is very separate, and the longer I act, the easier it is to separate the two, although one isn't always successful. but I'm NOT a drunk! (laughing)

Tana: What attracts you to the bad girl roles you do?

Sherilyn Fenn: A lot of them are far more colorful than "good girl" roles. A lot of "nice girl" roles I liken to vanilla ice cream, or worse-- vanilla ice milk! A lot of those roles are very sweet and boring, frankly. I prefer the color of the "bad" girls.

BoBt: What was your first role in a school play?

Sherilyn Fenn: Believe it or not, I never did a school play! I'm shocked that I actually became an actress. The closest thing I did as a kid was something that most kids do, which was to reenact films. I reenacted The Towering Inferno in a friend's basement. I was Faye Dunaway, and the cute neighborhood boy was Paul Newman, but that's about the closest indication I ever had that I'd be an actress. I think it requires being extroverted, and I prefer to "illuminate the human struggle."

Veruca Salt: Who is your dream co-star?

Sherilyn Fenn: There are lots of dream costars--the first person that comes to mind, for some reason, is Vince Vaughan--he's very attractive. Gary Oldman is amazing, Oh, how can I forget? My dream costar would be Edward Norton! Definitely him! How could I forget? (laughing)

Bandie70: If you are nominated for an Emmy next year, what episode would you submit?

Sherilyn Fenn: Probably one that hasn't been aired yet--possibly one where Billie goes to a reunion of Emerald Bluff, which is really crazy. They haven't aired yet, and I don't watch them anyway. Last season I liked the last episode when she flipped on acid, but I haven't really seen them all.

Monty P: What role would you ideally like to play?

Sherilyn Fenn: I guess for a long time, I wanted to do a remake of Baby Doll. I wanted to do a story about Marilyn Monroe, but a story more on the side of a woman that kind of gave up her power, and didn't have the right support around her. I didn't like HBO's version of her. I found it offensive. When I did the Elizabeth Taylor story, I tried to focus on who the human being was. I like roles about powerful women--they interest me. Mother roles interest me, being that I am one.

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