Courtesy of E! Chat w/ Wanda: [U can also read this transcript on E! Watch with Wanda!]
Lisa is here. Start asking.
From Wanda: Of all the actresses who must have
been up for this role, why do you think you were
chosen?
From what I've heard from the producers and Ellen,
there was something about me that clicked when I
walked through the room. It's just the chemistry
between the two people.
From sfondeles: Did you get a chance to work with
Sarah McLachlan on the show? If so, how was it?
Yes, I did. I got to watch her perform, and it was
great--but I can't tell you what songs she sings.
From Wanda: Can you tell us more about the
audition process?
I went in on a Friday for the producers and casting
director. Then, I went in on Monday and met Ellen
but didn't even actually read with her. I started
work on Tuesday. It was as easy as it ever gets.
From bentley3: Are Laurie and Ellen breaking up?
Like every couple, yes. And then we get back
together again in no time at all.
From Jim: Ever get any funny looks from Anne Heche
after a few rehearsals of a kissing scene with Ellen?
I didn't meet her until after my third episode. She
has been such a doll. She came up and gave me a big
hug. She's very supportive of the show. She sees
Ellen and I work well together. She's a very
positive force to have around. 
From hockey87: Who was your favorite lover in
your TV career?
I have to go with Ellen because I haven't had that
many. As for George Clooney, it was a nasty
one-night stand on the show. He was great to work
with, though.
From GILBERT_SANTOS: Many people are protesting
the show Ellen because they believe that playing a
lesbian role is going against The Bible and God.
What is your opinion about that?
I won't say anything about The Bible and God. That
is a very personal thing. I don't profess to know
anything about what The Bible says. My belief is
that if God put us on Earth that way, then it's
okay. I think for protesters, the lesson should be
about tolerance. I'll have to worry about it when I
get to Heaven, I guess. [Good 4 U, Lisa! U tell 'em!!]
From nycdyke: What are the long-range plans for
the Laurie/Ellen relationship, and how many more
episodes will we see you in?
I wish I knew, and I wish I knew. At this point,
I've done seven episodes, and my understanding is
that I'll be back for more. Right now, it's a
week-by-week thing. I was originally only supposed
to do four, so it's incredible that I've already
done seven. [U GOTTA STAY ON!!!]
From Sydney: Do you see pressure from the
religious right and ABC causing a premature
departure for the show, in spite of high ratings
and ad revenue?
I don't know anything about that. I saw the 60
Minutes interview with Michael Eisner. He's taking
a very careful stance with the religious right.
It's my fervent hope that no one aspect of society
could have that much influence. [I hope not!]
From riff: Weren't you on the late, lamented
Profit? What was that like?
Yes, I was, and it was the greatest show I've ever
worked on. That it was canceled so quickly remains
a source of sadness to me. I don't know why it
wasn't given the shot that I thought it deserved.
It was one of those magical experiences where I
loved the cast and everything about the show.
From Debbie: Congratulations on your Rhoda
Morgenstern-esque role! I'm really enjoying your
work and the show (three cheers for the writers, by
the way). How have your views toward gays (or any
minority for that matter) changed since playing two
gay characters?
I have never ever had a problem with homosexuality
or prejudice against minorities. But I've heard so
many stories from people about coming out and how
difficult it has been for their families. It has
given me a great deal of sympathy for those people. [If only everyone thinks like U, Lisa, the world will B a better place 2 live...]
From adbusti: What was your first kiss with Ellen
like?
It was actually very funny because we had to
rehearse it lots of different ways to serve the
comedy of the scene and also make sure it wasn't
too sexual, since it was a first kiss. It was very
technical, actually.
From Dawn: Was there tongue involved?
No tongue. Though I wouldn't have minded.
From b4lemon: What actor would you like to kiss
most? Or actress????
Keiko, the whale from the Free Willy series. No,
I've actually always had a thing for Nicolas Cage. [Ooo, Nick Cage, zee new action hunk, huh? ;-P]
From gafello: How tall are you actually? You seem
a whole lot taller than Ellen.
I'm five feet, eight inches, and I think she's
probably about five feet, six inches. I'm a little
taller than she is.
From Wanda: What do you think happened after
Laurie and Ellen took that flower-petal walk into
the bedroom?
Fireworks. 
From bentley3: Any Ellen plot scoops for us?
Let's see. There's one episode coming up that's
very touching. It has to do with Laurie's family,
but of course, I can't tell you what happens.
You'll have to watch.
From Wanda: Is it true you once auditioned for
Jurassic Park?
Yes, and being a biology major, I understood all
the technical stuff--the genetics and all that. The
casting director asked me, "Do you have any
questions?" And I said, "No. I've got it." [Oh, nevermind, there R other people who'll appreciate your brainz ~ it'z alwiz great 2 B smart & brainy in this day & age..^_^]
From kvc: Ellen and Laurie seem very natural
together. How much of the affection is scripted?
Very little. Ellen and I are very comfortable
together, and we wish we could be more affectionate
because that's what real couples are like. But we
have the network thing, and we're walking a fine
line. I wish we could be a lot more affectionate.
The affection comes naturally for us.
From cyberadie: Love your part in Ellen! Who's
your agent? I've got so-o-o many requests from my
Website visitors to have your agency
address/contact posted. Can you spill the beans?
I really appreciate that. Please write to me
through ABC or Disney or through my agent:
From cyberadie: You just said you speak four
languages. What are they?
German, French and English. But, truth be told,
I've forgotten almost all my Latin. [Oh, WOW! She'z brilliant, huh? ^_^]
From shaesha: Have you seen your page on the Web yet?
No, I haven't. I'll be sure to check it out. Do you
know the address? [Ooo, hope she DOES!! ^_^]
From kvc: Any interesting work opportunities
coming your way as a result of the work on and
publicity surrounding Ellen?
I've been sent a lot of scripts, some of which are
good. But the problem is that I really want to stay
with Ellen, so I've turned down some things with
the hope that maybe I'd get my own show or continue
on Ellen. Why leave a good thing? [DON'T LEAVE!!!!]
From b4lemon: What is Ellen really like in
person? Is she as funny as she is on TV?
She is hysterical! Most of the time when you see my
character Laurie laughing, it's really Lisa
laughing, because she cracks me up. She is warm and
kind and one of the smartest women I've ever met.
From nycdyke: How do you feel about being a
lesbian icon?
I dig it, baby!
From Wanda: What are the best/worst experiences
you've had since taking on the role of Laurie on
Ellen?
There's no worst experience at all. It's been a joy
from the beginning. The best part is that they keep
giving me more things to do. They really allow me
to develop as a character. I'm not just there to
throw Ellen the straight lines, which is very rare
as a guest star. Most of the time, you're just
there to service the star, but here, I get to play
a fleshed-out character. [Perfecto Fabuloso!! Good 4 ya! ^_^]
From gadge: Have you been in any films?
Yes, about seven. I play Brendan Fraser's wife in
an upcoming feature called Gods and Monsters.
Besides that, it's a lot of small movies that not
even my mother saw.
From starwisher: A little history: Why did Laurie
and Karen break up?
I don't know. You tell me. From what I've gathered
from the script, we were together for about eleven
years, and in one episode, I say that she just
walked out. That's all I know.
From riff: What else do you have cooking: film
roles, TV movies, other guest shots? Do you write?
Yes, I do write--and badly. I'm working on a
feature and a pilot for a one-hour show. I don't
know what my next thing will be. We're heading into
pilot season now, where studios start all the new
shows for next fall. My career is split between
sitcoms and dramas. I'm just looking for something
good. I've been spoiled by the great material on
Ellen. My next has got to be something good. [Good luck 2 ya, Grrl!]
From lorly: You are fantastic! Where'd you get
your sense of humor?
Life, I guess. And thank you. [Keep it up, y'hear? ^_^]
From cecille: Do you think that playing gay roles
has affected you in such a way that you would
consider dating another woman?
That's an interesting question. It's not something
I've really thought about, but not something I
would rule out. Soul mates come in all shapes and
sizes. I don't see it happening, but you never
know.
From Wanda: I know you're from Chicago. It seems
there's a lot of talent coming out of the windy
city lately. Is there something in the water?
I don't know if it's in the water or the weather. I
think we all want to get out of the snow. There is
a huge Chicago mafia out here.
From gr1999: Do you find it uncomfortable to kiss
in front of all of the people in the studio?
Not at all. It's my job. I've done worse on film.
And I'll just leave it at that.
From mspotato: What other TV shows would you like
to be on?
I have been really lucky already to have done so
many of the great ones: Murphy Brown, Northern
Exposure, Frasier, ER. I would love to do Chicago
Hope, and The X-Files would be a dream come true.
I'd love to play something really weird. [Oooo, wouldn't it B COOL 2 B on X-Files! ;-P Go 4 it!]
From cecille: Did it help your first kiss that
you were actually the one who moved forward,
initiated it?
That's a great question. Yes, it did. That way, I
felt a little more in control. [U Go, GRRRL!!!]
From Wanda: What's the one role you lost out for
that you've always regretted?
I guess I'd have to go with the Laura Dern role in
Jurassic Park, although I've lost so many it's hard
to keep track. [Oh, nevermind, U'll get "beefier" roles next time! ^_^]
From cyberadie: How many times did you rehearse
the "first kiss" with Ellen?
I can't even count that high. We had to do it
justice in terms of the comedy and the
relationship, and it had to be different from the
one Ellen had with Joely the week before, which was
quite a bit longer. But that was a comic kiss.
From nycdyke: Do Laurie and Ellen ever say the
"L" word?
We have, but maybe you haven't seen it yet.
From sunrise84: You say you'd like to do
something weird, what about Buffy, the Vampire
Slayer? I have to ask. It's my absolute favorite
show in the world.
I would love it. I've always wanted to play a
vampire, ever since I was a kid. I loved the movie
Near Dark. That's when I first saw Adrian Pasdar.
I've read everything Anne Rice has ever written. [Lisa, zee Vampire!! Watch your necks, folkz!! Grrr!! ;-P]
From gadge: You were on Northern Exposure? Who did
you play?
I played the girlfriend of Bernard, who, as it
turned out, was Chris' girlfriend. We had a kissing
contest because I said I couldn't tell the
difference between them.
From cyberadie: Lisa are you going to get married
to your current beau as it said in the "People" magazine?
You'd have to ask him, because he'd have to ask me.
If I asked him, I'd have to spring for the ring. [2 B married OR NOT 2 B married? That'z definitely a HUGE QUESTION!!!]
From lolapepe: I'm going to the December 19
taping. Are you in that episode?
Yes, I am, but I haven't gotten the script, so I
don't know what it's about yet.
From lorly: Do you ever watch your own work. If
so, what's it like?
Always. And painful. [Aw, don't beat yourself so hard! C'mon, U're fantastik! Ain't she, guyz? ^_^]
From starwisher: Does Ellen wear her own clothes
on the show?
Yes, she does sometimes. A lot of the stuff is hers.
I never do, though, because I'm not that hip. [U're hip, too, IMHO!! ;-P]
I have to go now. Thanks everybody for coming today. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the support, not just for me, but for the show. It's a great show, and it would be a shame if this were its last season. Feel free to let Disney and ABC know your thoughts about it. I'll be sure to check out that Website! [Oh, I sure hope she does!! ^_^]
