Search

Law & Order Vet S. Epatha Merkerson Loosens Up

S. Epatha Merkerson

On Monday at 9 pm/ET, S. Epatha Merkerson costars with Jennie Garth and Andrea Bowen (Julie Mayer on Desperate Housewives) in the Lifetime drama Girl, Positive, about a high-school honor student who contracts HIV. We spoke with the Emmy-winning actress about the TV-movie gig, big changes at Law & Order and her secretive stint on The Closer.

TV Guide: What do you hope viewers will come away with after watching Girl, Positive?
S. Epatha Merkerson:
Most importantly, the fact that AIDS and HIV are still a part of our lives and young people need to be aware of what they're doing. Kids need to really wake up — the statistics are still quite mind-boggling.

TV Guide: How does it feel to now be the senior cast member of Law & Order?
Merkerson:
Odd. You know, if I had known that this show would last as long as it has, I probably would have spent my money differently and I would own half of Manhattan. It took me like eight years to actually put something in my dressing room. I guess there are worse things to be than the veteran of a long-running, successful television show. [Laughs]

TV Guide: And Jeremy Sisto is joining the cast.
Merkerson:
I hear he's a lovely guy, so I can't wait, plus he's eye candy. I've been around for a lot of cast changes and they've all made the show interesting, they've given it a different texture. I will miss Milena [Govich], but I look forward to Jeremy.

TV Guide: Aren't there times you wish the no-nonsense Anita could just relax?
Merkerson:
You know, I tell them that all the time. If you look at some of the earlier episodes, her buttons were all the way up to the top — I think Miss Thing is showing some cleavage now, so she has loosened up a bit.

TV Guide: You have an arc coming up on TNT's The Closer.
Merkerson:
I'm having big fun — I love Kyra [Sedgwick], she's just a joy to work with. [My character is] a therapist — that's about all I can say.

TV Guide: You started out as Reba the mail lady on Pee-Wee's Playhouse.
Merkerson:
I love that my grandnephew, who's 7, is screaming at the "magic word." It's really cool that this whole generation can view them on DVD.

Send your comments on this Q&A to letters@tvguide.com.

Advertisement
(Warning: Explicit Language)

Funny or Die

(Warning: Explicit Language)

The real reason James Franco didn't give the 2009 UCLA commencement speech.
Evian - Baby Roller

Commercial

Evian - Baby Roller

Check out these roller-babies' serious skating skills
Jackson's Doctor on GMA

Dr Arnold Klein

Jackson's Doctor on GMA

Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's longtime dermatologist and possible father o...
Daughter Paris Speaks

Michael Jackson Memorial

Daughter Paris Speaks

Michael Jackson's Daughter "Paris" Tearful Goodbye
090710photogallery_fashionshow1

Fashion Hits or Misses? Vote!

You be the judge! Check out the show's best and worst designs and tell us if you would buy them

Shop

Buy Law & Order Criminal Intent - The Second Year from Amazon.com

From Universal Studios (DVD)
Average Customer Review: nostarnostarnostarnostarhalfstar
Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy New: $34.99 (as of 07/10/09 10:27 AM EST - more info)

Buy Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Unofficial Companion (Ben Bella) from Amazon.com

From Benbella Books (Paperback)
Not yet published
Buy New: $12.21 (as of 07/10/09 10:27 AM EST - more info)

Buy Law & Order Criminal Intent - The First Year from Amazon.com

From Universal Studios (DVD)
Average Customer Review: nostarnostarnostarnostarhalfstar
Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy New: $32.99 (as of 07/10/09 10:27 AM EST - more info)