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Debra Messing Interview
ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT: Are you daunted by the move to Thursday night, which puts "Will & Grace" up against "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" DEBRA MESSING : I think the exciting thing is that the younger shows have fared best against "Millionaire" because its viewers skew older, so I think we feel comforted by that. I think intimidation comes from the fact that we're going to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday. It's not so much having to do with "Millionaire," but just that it's Thursday night at 9:00. That's exciting, a little scary, but wonderful. ET: Why is it scary? Debra Messing : I think because Thursday is monolithic in its history, you know. "Cheers," "Seinfeld" and "Frasier" -- these really, really tremendous shows have lived in this timeslot, and we're surrounded by these iconic shows, "Friends" and "ER," and so it's a spot that is very prestigious and precious. The fact that NBC would have enough faith in us to honor us with that spot, we want to do right by everybody. ET: Debra, do you draw on your own Jewishness for Grace? You've talked about that in the past, but I'm just wondering what parts of your own Jewishness you incorporate into the character. Debra Messing : There are a lot of Jews around on the set and we have fun. I'm Jewish and, I think, it's just a sensibility that they write. They write it, and I recognize it because it's a part of my family, my history and my language, so there is a rhythm to it that's familiar to me and it's fun to play. ET: Have you had input as far as characterization is concerned? Debra Messing : No. You know, they're so tremendous in making characters specific, so I just sort of run with what they give me, and they've given me some really wonderful colors to play. Being Jewish is just one of them. ET: Are we going to see your mother come in for any more visits, and how is that relationship going to be developed? Debra Messing : My DEBBIE REYNOLDS mom? ET: Right. Debra Messing : I thought my real mom was going to be -- (laughs) Well, from what I understand she's coming back. She's incredible. Incredible. ET: You attended Brandeis University. A lot of the people at the university are very quirky. I was wondering if you took some of the quirks from your experience at Brandeis and put them towards Grace. Debra Messing : That's a very interesting question. Not in any sort of conscious way. Brandeis was a very potent environment to study in, and there were a lot of very strong characters there to draw on, but I don't think that in any conscious way have I brought in specific people that I've known from there. But, you know, every life experience you have, you sort of sponge. It's a part of you. So, I imagine that there's something recognizable from the good old gang from Brandeis. ET: That's a nice ring you have on your left ring finger, Debra. Who gave it to you? Debra Messing : My boyfriend of many years, DANIEL ZELMAN. ET: And who is he? Debra Messing : He's a guy. He's a fabulous guy. ET: What does he do? Debra Messing : He's a screenwriter and an actor. We were classmates in graduate school at NYU. ET: And how long have you been engaged? Debra Messing : A nice amount of time. We're enjoying it very much. And I'll let you know all the details after the fact. ET: What are your thoughts about "Big Brother" and "Survivor"? Debra Messing : I'm obsessed with "Survivor." I don't watch "Big Brother." ET: What about "Survivor" do you like? Debra Messing : Actually, what got me into "Survivor" was this thing called the "Eco Challenge." It's on the Discovery Channel every year in the spring, and the same producer who did that created "Survivor." The "Eco Challenge" is incredible. They go to exotic locations with these teams, and it's crazy what they have to put themselves through over 11 days. The "Eco Challenge" is the most dramatic and theatrical and thrilling thing, and it's -- it's incredible. And, so, when I heard that in a smaller way they were doing that for television -- it's not really whether or not they survive or what they're doing, it's really about the dynamics between them and what it elicits when you're put in extreme circumstances. ET: Debra, would Grace make a good "survivor"? Debra Messing : Oh, she'd suck. She'd suck so bad. As soon as she saw a rat, forget about it. There's no way. Food allergies, you know. |
