Preview: Charisma Carpenter Throws CSI a Panty Party

This Thursday on CSI (9pm/ET, CBS), Buffyverse alumna Charisma Carpenter gets caught in the middle of a deadly love/lust triangle when a skydiver takes the plunge — and not in a matrimonial sort of way. Carpenter shared a peek at her guest-star turn — "panty party" merriment and all — and previewed her upcoming big-screen role opposite Jason Statham and other action heavyweights. She also talked about the sudden passing of Angel costar Andy Hallet.

TVGuide.com: What can you reveal about your episode of CSI? Who are you playing, what are you doing?
Charisma Carpenter: I play a slinky little character named Mink, who is a suspect in the murder of her boyfriend because there was a love triangle between her and another sexy little thing played by The L Word's Erin Daniels. 

TVGuide.com: In the promos, it looks like there's some debate over whose boyfriend the deceased was.
Carpenter: Well, he was both of ours. So there was tension, because we were both vying for his affections and such. You know how competitive that can be. I mean, the three of them were even sharing a trailer! 

TVGuide.com: Would you take offense if I go out on a limb here and say that you offed the guy?
Carpenter: Hey now! Why is everyone always picking on me? 

TVGuide.com: "Sources" tell me there is a "panty party" in this episode. Is it like a Tupperware party?
Carpenter: [Laughs] No, not at all. It involves dancing around half-dressed in our little Winnebago. 

TVGuide.com: This role marks your first time playing a blonde. How did that work out for you?
Carpenter: Well, [Angel's] Cordelia is not far off from little miss Minky. Isn't Mink the best name in prime time?! I thought [Veronica Mars'] Kendall Casablancas was good, but Mink... wow. 

TVGuide.com: Tell me about your next project, the big-screen action pic The Expendables.
Carpenter: I'm playing Jason Statham's girlfriend, but I'm caught between a rock and a hard place because although I love him, he's not there for me. He's not available. 

TVGuide.com: Because he's running off to God-knows-where to take down a South American dictator?
Carpenter: Exactly. He's running all over the world and stuff. 

TVGuide.com: The Expendables boasts quite an ensemble. I laugh at how it's like, "Stallone ... Schwarzenegger ... Mickey Rourke ... Statham ... and Charisma Carpenter."
Carpenter: No s—t, right! I met Stallone and Statham just the other day. The three of us went out, and it was very fun. Statham surprised me. He's very soft in his demeanor considering he plays such a bad-ass. I'm excited to do some meaty drama with him. 

TVGuide.com: Before we go, I wanted to give the opportunity to talk about your Angel costar, Andy Hallett, who recently passed away at age 33.
Carpenter: It's always shocking to hear that people who are your age or younger are dying before their time. ... I tried [to keep in touch], but it didn't work out that way. I didn't get to say goodbye. The last time we spoke, it was just, "See you again!" You take it for granted that sometimes you won't see a person around anymore. He was my second costar on [Angel], so.... 

TVGuide.com: What might people be surprised to know about Andy, if they only knew him through his character, Lorne, and all that makeup?
Carpenter: How handsome he is. He had these dark eyes.... So handsome.

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