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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