Peter Gallagher Raises an Eyebrow

This week, The O.C.'s Peter Gallagher moonlights as the lead in Oxygen's A Tale of Two Wives, a made-for-cable comedy about a psychiatrist living life as a bigamist. "That, to me, is unfathomable," says Gallagher, who has been married to his college sweetheart, Paula, for 20 years. "It's a lot of work to be married to one person and have a family," he adds. "I can't imagine what it would be like doing double duty." He also can't imagine life without his infamous eyebrows. And don't laugh. We actually asked.

TV Guide Online: OK, so you've never tried to date two women at once?
Gallagher: Two women? God, man. (Laughs) Well, I'm still living. So, clearly I must've gotten away with it, when I did do it. But I don't think it's time to blow my cover now.

TVGO: Ah, 'cause you're happily married.
Gallagher: Right.

TVGO: And you've got two kids [Jamey, 13 and Kathryn, 10]. Are you the cool dad now that you are on The O.C.?
Gallagher: My kids do think it's a cool show. But my stature at home hasn't really been affected by what I do at work.

TVGO: To quote your show, exactly how do they do it in The O.C.? How are they treating you at work? Do you have fancy trailers?
Gallagher: You know what? I feel like I won the Lotto, as far as that show's concerned. I couldn't care less, but we do have fine first-season trailers. About the size of a Winnebago. Right now, it's generally like two actors per trailer. But I like everybody on the show so I don't mind sharing.

TVGO: What's the difference between a first and third season trailer?
Gallagher: By year three, you get nicer, bigger trailers.

TVGO: May I ask a personal question?
Gallagher: Yes.

TVGO: About your eyebrows... Has anyone ever asked you to tame them?
Gallagher: There have been makeup artists who've asked if they're real. Once a hairstylist asked, "Could I just see what it would look like if I cleaned them up?" I said, "Sure, go ahead." That was a mistake.

TVGO: So do your eyebrows define you the way Jennifer Grey's nose defined her, back in the Dirty Dancing days?
Gallagher: My eyebrows make a more profound impact on [other] people than they do on me. I figure, I am what I am, kiddo. I just let 'em grow.

A Tale of Two Wives debuts Saturday at 8pm/ET on Oxygen.