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DiggTV.com talks to Jane Kaczmarek
By Colin Mahan - TV.comThe former Malcolm mom talks about frumpy clothes and the charm of Ted Danson.
Jane Kaczmarek
Jane Kaczmarek has traded in bratty kids for a bratty man-child.
Kaczmarek spent six years playing lovably cranky mom Lois on the Fox comedy Malcolm in the Middle. Now, she is playing the ex-wife of TV rascal Ted Danson on the ABC comedy hit Help Me Help You. The sitcom stars Danson as a neurotic psychiatrist who is constantly trying to get back together with his estranged ex.
TV.com caught up with Kaczmarek and chatted with her about her helping us help ourselves.
TV.com: It looks like you are having a lot of fun on the new show.
Jane Kaczmarek Oh yeah, I am enjoying it because the hours are much more conducive to being a mom [than Malcolm's]. Plus, they make me look so nice after running around in [Malcolm mom] Lois' clothes! They give me good makeup and nice lighting. It's great!
TV.com: This role is probably helping you shed the Lois image.
Jane Kaczmarek Yes, but the funny thing is one of perks of being on Malcolm is that most of the clothes I wore were jeans and khakis, and when the show ended they said I could just take them if I wanted them, so I did. Now I basically wear them every day, when I take the kids to school or when I am running errands. And the other day we were watching Malcolm and we noticed I was wearing the same exact outfit on the show as I was wearing in real life! [laughs] So I hope that people don't think I am having trouble letting go of the Lois character.
TV.com: That's funny. Is there a lot of improv on Help Me?
Jane Kaczmarek Yes, Malcolm was very tightly scripted, we weren't allowed to change anything. The writers wrote everything with the dialogue exactly in mind. This show is very different. It's got a much looser freer feel. We'll run through it a couple of times on script, then the writers will say, "Why don't we try it in your own words." And it is great. It feels spontaneous.
TV.com: Is it easy doing improv opposite Ted Danson?
Jane Kaczmarek Absolutely. Yes! He is just so charming and fun! When he is trying to seduce me I really melt. [laughs] And the director says "Don't let him woo you. You are supposed to be mad at him." But I have hard time staying mad at Ted.
TV.com: You are married to [Studio 60 actor] Bradley Whitford. Do you guys talk much about the industry when you are at home, or are you sick of it?
Jane Kaczmarek Not much industry talk. We have three children, and as anyone who has kids knows, their lives are so exciting and involving, it takes a lot of time and energy. It is so much more interesting hearing about the third grade science project than hearing about the ratings!
