Snippings from the Net 2005

Twinge of exhibitionism

Michelle Pfeiffer's sister Dedee is feeling another twinge of exhibitionism.

The not-as-famous Pfeiffer still regrets a risque interracial shoot she did for Playboy in 2002 - but only because "I wasn't able to do any press for it."

"By the time the issue came out ... I was married and pregnant," she says. She thinks the right kind of sex scandal could still catapult her into the spotlight.

"My husband and I did a [sex] video four years ago, when we first met, and I know he's got a copy of it!" the "Wanted" star tells Steppin' Out's Chaunce Hayden. "I always think if he gets really mad at me or wants a divorce, he'll put it on the Internet. If that does happen, I'll say, 'Thank you!'"

New York Daily News 20050811-- Rush & Molloy

"Wanted" actress Dedee Pfeiffer likes the change.

Actress Dedee Pfeiffer is best known as Cybill Shepherd's oldest daughter in the sitcom "Cybill" back in the mid-1990s. Next she co-stars in the TNT crime series "Wanted," premiering on the cable channel at 9 p.m. Sunday. Michelle Pfeiffer's younger sister called on her cell phone the other day as she was driving in Los Angeles.

Q. It's no secret you have a famous sister. How many interviews have you given where no one asked about her?

A. Not a single one. Is this going to be the first one? Yay, Bill!

Q. You are best known for comedic roles for "Cybill" and guest appearances on shows like "Seinfeld," "Friends," "Ellen" and "Wings." While you've clearly done lots of dramas, is this new series opening up a new chapter for you?

A. It's just a Hollywood fact of life - getting pigeonholed. Once you've had some success in one genre people just assume that's all you can do - a case of, "Oh, you do comedy." They forget that all great comics have a dark side. Good comedy comes from dramatic roots deep down. Look at all the great comedians - like Jackie Gleason or Robin Williams - who, when given the chance, have turned in amazing dramatic performances. Fortunately, I finally have found an agent who sees that and sends me out for those roles now.

Q. In "Wanted" you play the wife of Gary Cole -- and it sounds like it's a very strained and difficult relationship.

A. That's putting it mildly. They're in the process of getting divorced. Gary plays the leader of an elite strike force of the LAPD who hunts down the 100 most-wanted criminals in Los Angeles. He's a guy who is so totally married to his job that is so 24-7 that it's virtually impossible for him to have a normal family life. I love the fact that the writer has us divorcing over an entire season. It's like real life. So often on TV a couple splits up in one episode and by the next week they're already divorced. This is like what really happens in the real world. Whoever heard of a divorce happening in a week or two?

It's great working with Gary. We worked together twice before - on "Midnight Caller" and on a pilot that never went anywhere. Let's hope three strikes and we're in! I really want this one to stick.

Q. It sounds as if your character Lucinda has to deal with issues that don't just occur in the marriages of police officers.

A. Absolutely. This is a couple that is not really addressing their real problems. They certainly could use a few sessions with Dr. Phil. Underneath it all, they deeply love each other; it's just that they can't seem to figure out how to live with each other. My character certainly understands how important her husband's job is - how he's working so hard to make their city safer for their kids and everyone's kids - but it's hard to live with a guy who has such a dangerous job, where you never know if he's going to make it home alive at the end of the day.

Q. Besides "Wanted," it sounds as if your other TV and film projects are also keeping you away from your old comedy roots. True?

A. I guess you could say that. I did a "Dead Zone," and in a few weeks I'm going back to do another [episode.] I did a couple of "CSI's." The films in the can include a thriller, "A Killer Within." "Blue Demon"- actually that's something that accidentally turned into a funny shark movie, plus there's "Hoboken Hollow" with Dennis Hopper, C. Thomas Howell and Michael Madsen. It's about an Iraq war veteran who ends up in Texas - facing a very different kind of evil.

Yes, not much comedy on my plate these days - but that's just fine.

Sun-Times 20050728 -- Bill Zwecker