Six Feet Mom Boards Enterprise
Veteran actress
Joanna Cassidy joined TV's pantheon of monster mothers when she was cast as
Six Feet Under's Margaret Chenowith. Employed, ironically enough, as a psychotherapist, Mags raised the sex-addicted Brenda (
Rachel Griffiths) and her highly unstable brother, Billy (
Jeremy Sisto). Nice work, Mommy! On tomorrow's
Enterprise (8 pm/ET on UPN), Cassidy exercises her maternal instinct on a new victim:
Jolene Blalock's Vulcan vixen, T'Pol. She plays T'Les, who urges T'Pol to dump her crewmate/boyfriend Trip for an arranged marriage. Uh-oh....
TV Guide Online: It takes a hottie to play the moms of Griffiths and Blalock. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree, right?
Joanna Cassidy: [Laughs] From a babe to a babe, right? If I do say so myself!
TVGO: Brenda's mom is hot on SFU. She's crazy inside...
Cassidy: ...but outside, she's picture-perfect. Oh, she has to look great no matter what. She'll look great in her coffin!
TVGO: On that show, it could happen. So how'd you land the Star Trek role?
Cassidy: The people who cast Six Feet Under are casting Enterprise now. There's very little loyalty in this town, and when that rears its head, it's a beautiful thing. That's wonderful. They know they can count on me. You don't hire people who are not gonna do the job.
TVGO: T'Les is pushing T'Pol into marriage for political reasons. Is she wicked like your SFU character?
Cassidy: No, I don't think so. T'Pol's mom could be conniving, but she's really not. She's a very honorable, respectful woman and she believes in a good cause. T'Les is a giver; Margaret Chenowith is a taker. Big difference.
TVGO: T'Les has never been seen before. Why introduce T'Pol's mother in the fourth season?
Cassidy: I think they're giving T'Pol some weight. She is a huge part of that show, but she's been left in the air somehow. I don't want to reveal what happens in the mother-daughter relationship, but let's put it this way: They're testing Jolene Blalock's acting chops by giving her heavy stuff to play. She did well.
TVGO: Is it tough playing a Vulcan? The required restraint could challenge some actors.
Cassidy: [Chuckles] It is a challenge. I was doing slight smiles, and I was told that was not appropriate! Sometimes I even showed too much in the eyes. Vulcan feelings are very hidden. And I loved that. I'm very expressive, so to pull it all in was interesting.
TVGO: You had to dress in traditional Vulcan costume, right?
Cassidy: Oh, of course! I fussed about the wig. Vulcans have a bowl cut — but it had to be the right bowl cut. I got what I wanted.
TVGO: How uncomfortable were those pointy ears?
Cassidy: Oh, I didn't even know they were on. I think they're sexy.
TVGO: Would you ever wear them to an awards show? You could start Hollywood's new Vulcan chic!
Cassidy: [Laughs] I'd never try them on in public. Maybe for Halloween — or something kinky at home.
