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The “L Word’s” adorable Leisha Hailey sat down with PlanetOut entertainment editor Jenny Stewart to talk about the complexity of relationships, her favorite lesbian film and why she loved the Dinah Shore episode.
Alice and Dana have that interesting “we’re just friends but it could be something more” dynamic going on. Would you like to see the two of them get involved in a full-blown relationship?
I’m only speaking for myself here, but I personally would really like to see them get together.
Really?
Yes, because I think it’s the kind of situation that really happens to everyone. I think that sometimes when you’re that close to someone, you don’t realize that it could cross over.
That’s true. I have a friend right now who was really close with someone and the other person just met someone else and started dating her. My friend is very upset by it, and I was asking her “Wait — are you in love with her, or are you simply having feelings of loss for losing your friend?” And she just can’t figure it out.
Exactly.
What has been your favorite episode so far?
I actually had a great time filming the Dinah Shore episode.
That’s a great episode!
Yeah, and see, my favorite thing about the show is the parts where we get to see the friends together and the dynamics of all these girls just hanging out. I think the Dinah Shore episode really made that shine.
Are there any particular scenes — even ones of other cast members — that have really resonated with you as a lesbian?
Yeah, the Bette and Tina storylines, always. For some reason, I always identify with them because I’m a serial monogamist.
So how you do feel then about the whole cheating thing with Bette?
I think it’s real, and I think it happens all the time. And I think that if Ilene were just to show Bette and Tina as this perfect couple all the time, it would just be so unrealistic, because it just doesn’t ever end up perfect. And I think it’s a huge thing that happens when you meet someone and you connect with them in the world. Some people go for it and some people don’t. And I think it’s a real challenge.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt watch “Friends” together at home every Thursday night, and I was wondering if you watch “The L Word” every Sunday night?
There’s a bar called “The Revolver” in L.A. and they show it on the big screen, and sometimes we all [fellow cast members] meet up and watch it there. One of my favorite things is to see other people watch it. It’s so much fun getting to watch their reactions to it — it’s almost like watching theater. [Laughs.] And sometimes, one of us will host a house party and we’ll all head over there to watch it.
That sounds like so much fun. So I guess you guys really are that close in real life?
Yes, we really are.
The show’s been getting a lot of great guest stars. Is there any particular actress you would like to see come on and perhaps play the role of Alice’s love interest?
[Much laughter.] Well I would really like for someone funny to come on, like Parker Posey or Margaret Cho. Someone who would be like, a perfect challenge maybe in the workplace? Like maybe someone Alice could have a funny dynamic with, but that could also possibly turn romantic. But I would want a really funny person.
What about Tina Fey?
[Laughs.] Oh my God, she would be amazing!
Ellen’s coming out episode had a profound effect on just about every gay person in the country, and everyone always has a “Where were you the night of the famous episode?” type story. What about you? You were with k.d. lang at the time and she was in the episode, right?
I was actually in the episode.
You were?
Yeah, I was an extra in the coffee shop! [Laughs.] There was room on this seat, so I just sat there. It was funny.
What was the atmosphere on the set?
Oh, it was sooo charged. I mean, it was just crazy — the energy was nuts. And it was so exciting, because you could feel you were a part of something huge.
What’s your current relationship status? Are you single?
Oh, no, no, no. I’m in a total relationship.
What part of a woman do you find most attractive?
Her mouth, always.
What would you like to see happen to Alice in season two?
Well, I already talked to Ilene about this, but I would love to see Alice go through heartbreak. Because I feel like so far she’s always been in control of starting and ending things. Well, except for Gabby, but … no, she was. Well, even though she was totally run over by her. But I think it would be fun to see her sort of left in the dust and have to deal with that. But on a really deep level, you know — serious heartbreak.
What’s your favorite lesbian film?
“Desert Hearts” is so great, just because I think it’s the one we all [most lesbians] saw. I remember watching it with my friend Heather, and we were both like screaming because we couldn’t believe it. It was so exciting to see two women do that!
Are you getting recognized by lesbians on the street, and if so, what are they saying to you?
Yes, I am, and usually they are just really appreciative. They say that they really like what we’re doing on the show and really enjoying it and loving it. And also, a lot of straight girls are coming up to me as well.
Really?
Yeah. In fact, I think it’s more straight women than gay women. Like I was in New York, and straight women kept stopping me and saying, “God, I really love your show,” which is great. I think that if any girl ever thought about crossing over at one point in her life, then she’s watching the show.
The Murmurs were one of the first openly gay bands. Now, all of a sudden, there is this onslaught of openly gay rockers out there. We receive about three CDs a week from these really good bands who are all gay. They seem to be coming out of the woodwork. What do you think of that?
I think it’s just … amazing. I remember meeting the Butchies when they were just starting at the Michigan Women’s Festival, and it was so great to see them. They said that they looked up to us, which was really nice. And now, I see them on the covers of gay magazines, and I love it. That’s something that really makes me happy.
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