Melanie of "Queer as Folk"

Showtime presents

March 11, 2001

Page 2 of 7

Lance: Evening Michelle, I want to first say how much I enjoy your acting on QAF. I enjoy your quick and witty banter. You portray a Jewish woman on QAF, and you have give realism to your character. Are you of Jewish descent?

Michelle: I'm only Jewish by injection! But most of my life, I've either been surrounded by Italian or Jewish people for whatever reason, I am drawn to their passion, and I'm part Italian myself. I pull on people that I know, and people that I've been with, to find the feisty Yiddish nature of the character.

New York Claudio: How is it for you to portray such a role? How has that influenced your personal life?

Michelle: Well, I think that my mind and my heart have both opened up a lot since portraying this role. I've been on the receiving end of certain prejudices because of playing this role, and therefore I have some insight into what other people go through. I've always believed that it's not a matter of who you love, but how you love. And true to my experience on the show, that feeling has only quadrupled.

Donna: Michelle, don't you think the characters Brian and Melanie need to go out and get drunk together so they can get to know each other better. They really need to have a good talk and get everything out in the open. What do you think would be the outcome?

Michelle: I would love to go out and get drunk with Brian, if he could keep up with me! That's a tough one, you have two very volatile characters, and you add alcohol to the equation, and God knows what could happen. I think at the base level of their relationship is some sort of bizarre understanding of each other. They just happen to be on opposite sides of Lindsay's affection, and I don't agree with a lot of the things that he does.

Calysta: I want to thank you for your three dimensional portrayal of Melanie. She's an incredible character, and you've really made her very human.

Michelle: Wow! Thanks so much for your comment. I've been striving to make her as human as possible, and that's really nice to hear, that it comes across like that. I think it's important to show all sides to a character, just like people. As tough as someone is, that's how giving and sensitive they are.

Mary Miracle: Does the cast often hang out of camera?

Michelle: (Laughing) Yeah, we were just out partying last night. I've been having parties at my house every other weekend since we've been up here. Since we've been up here in Canada, and last night was the official last bash. But we really love each other.

Texan Blond Guy: Michelle, I love your character on the show. Which was your favorite episode?

Michelle: I like all the episodes, but I think one of my favorites was episode 9. I feel Thea and I really went on a journey in that episode of great emotion, and great love, and I liked that that was our first big love scene, too.

Luv Kid 00: Michelle, what is the best part of working on the show of QAF?

Michelle: That's a tough one, because there are so many great parts. I think one of the great parts has been working with so many fabulous actors. And getting to know them, and exchanging ideas with them. And becoming one big family. Another great part is when I receive a letter from a lesbian mother with a picture of her child and she tells me how I'm making the world a better place for her kid, that's really the most fulfilling part.

Page 2 of 7