TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
Hamish Linklater Returns With a New 'Old Christine'
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March 12 -- After taking an extended hiatus, the hit CBS series 'The New Adventures of Old Christine' is returning with all new episodes.
'Seinfeld' alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Christine Campbell, a divorced working mom whose life is complicated by her ex-husband's new girlfriend (the "new" Christine.) And Hamish Linklater portrays "old" Christine's live-in brother, Matthew.
The actor talked to AOL Television editor Geoff Bennett about the series' success, hanging out with the "Meanie Moms" and the comedic virtues of Shakespeare.
After the extended break, where does 'Old Christine'
pick up?
When we come back, dear Christine -- my sister -- is having trouble sleeping and she takes a sleep aid which has comical unexpected effects on her.
Sitcoms are having a tough time on TV these days. Why do you think 'Old Christine' has connected with viewers?
A huge percentage of whatever success we've had has to be that Julia is one of the great female comediennes America has ever known. She's been put together with the right writers and a director who handled her through a lot of 'Seinfeld.' And her co-stars haven't gotten in her way. (Laughs) Plus, you don't see too many working divorced moms on TV farting and making you giggle.
I guess it's that she's really nice. (Laughs) It's like working with Mt. Rushmore or something, you know? She's an icon. But she's got a lot more personality than, you know, a mountain.
As well she should. (Laughs)
Yeah, she's incredibly funny, yet super-humanly civilian-like at the same time.
How did you get the role? Was it just an audition that went well?
Yeah, that's about it -- an audition that went well. I have trouble dressing for my auditions. And I had auditioned for the show's creator a couple of times, and we had gotten to the point where I was dressing so badly that she had me bring in a suitcase of clothes from home and try on different pants before we'd go and see the studio and network executives.
They say if Shakespeare were alive today, he'd be writing for daytime TV, but I think he'd like half-hour sitcoms. We've got a live audience there each week, and they let you know immediately if you are connecting or not. It's the same thing when you're doing Shakespeare. You're working like crazy just to keep the kids in their seats and their grandparents from falling asleep.
Other than the fact that TV pays better, is there anything you prefer about theater?
I grew up in a theater company, so that was like the family business. It's always great to go back to the family business, but it also stinks because you have to wait for dad to die before you can take over. You can't make a living at it.
What do you find yourself doing when you have downtime on the set?
I hang out with the "Meanie Moms" -- the blonde nasty mothers on the show. (Laughs) One of them turned her dressing room into a green room, so we just kind of congregate there. And then I just Google myself constantly.
With a name like Hamish Linklater, you must rank pretty high.
Oh, I don't look at the rankings -- just the blogs.
What things do you like about Matthew, and what would you change?
My biggest love/hate with Matthew has to do with his hairstyle. It's so different from mine ... and then occasionally it's exactly the same. But he's basically a lot like me but more realistic.
Wait. How is a TV character more realistic than you?
Hopefully if you're an actor, you are playing someone who is more realistic than you, because actors are the most preposterous people.
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