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CNN Live Today

Interview with Freddy Rodriguez, Rachel Griffiths

Aired July 18, 2002 - 11:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're dressed early.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have an in-take at 9:30, Josh Langley (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I am supposed to know who that is?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't you watch the news?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not if I can help it. It is too depressing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Josh Langley (ph) is the Cal State football player who died of heatstroke yesterday. Twenty-one years old, perfect health, until his brain fried.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fun (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I'm off to Torrence (ph). I have a breakfast meeting with the Living Splendor sales rep.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wait a minute. That means...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now that you are a licensed funeral director, we can get twice as much work done around here. Just do me a favor. Don't even mention the word "cremation."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Can I mention the word "condescending"?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll be back by noon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: This team may have burned up all the competition.

"Six Feet Under" comes out on top of the heap. The HBO drama picked up 23 Emmy nominations, more than any other show, as you might guess. The nominees were announced this morning in Los Angeles, and KTLA Entertainment Editor Sam Rubin joins us live from L.A. He has got more on the TV top picks made this morning -- good to see you again, Sam.

SAM RUBIN, KTLA ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Leon, nice to talk to you as well. An extraordinary morning for HBO, dominating the Emmy nominations once again, and for this newcomer "Six Feet Under." Of course, last year, people were talking about "The Sopranos." "The Sopranos" did extraordinarily well, 18 nominations. This year, that show ineligible. So, the newcomer, "Six Feet Under," in its first year of eligibility, after dominating the Golden Globes, comes away with 23 Emmy nominations, almost the entire cast nominated, several of the guest stars, lots of people behind the scenes. This, of course, all from the pen of Alan Ball, the fellow who created "American Beauty," and what a beauty of a television show that he has got with all these nominations.

And this newcomer did very well, but it was not the only show to do well this morning. A couple shows that we have all been watching with for years, people suggested that "Friends" had a creative resurgence, and "Friends" had a very, very good Emmy morning as well. Three of the cast members -- they made a change. They used to always submit themselves for supporting cast. This time, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc and Matt Perry all submitted lead category tapes, and they were all nominated. And then this is kind of cute. Jennifer Aniston nominated as lead actress, Brad Pitt, her real life husband, nominated as a guest star. So that is going to be a great red carpet moment when those two friends walk together.

HARRIS: That's a good one. But you know what, you mention the fact that "Six Feet Under" is a newcomer, and as I understand it, in the past, the Academy doesn't really necessarily reach out to first- time arounders, and Bernie Mac also picked one up this morning.

RUBIN: Exactly right. The Academy is not known for being particularly hip or on top of things, but this was a good day for newcomers. Bernie Mac, nominated for best comedic actor his first time out. And that is a surprise. This was a show a lot of people thought wouldn't succeed on the small screen. It has, in a very, very big way, and now, Bernie Mac, getting an acting nod. That is terrific.

One actor who did not do well this morning, though he has done very well before -- the show "Will and Grace," overall, did great, 13 nominations. But this was maybe the best moment of the morning. Look at Eric McCormack not getting nominated. You can see his reaction. He turns around like, Wait, what happened? And listen to what he says, Leon.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC MCCORMACK, ACTOR: It's just as well. You know how hard it is to get a sitter?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Nice comeback.

RUBIN: Yes, he did a really good job, he is not in a bad mood. His three costars were nominated, so he is going to have a good time at the Emmys nonetheless. But again, the big show, as you mentioned, "Six Feet Under" for sure. HARRIS: All right. How about -- was there any one show that you think really got screwed out of this whole deal? Was there any one that you knew was going to get one that didn't get one?

RUBIN: Well, you know, a lot of people were thinking that -- well, you know what, I tell you what, the shows that I thought would be looked over, like "24" with Kiefer Sutherland, also a nominee. "Curb Your Enthusiasm," a little seen comedy on HBO, best comedy series. Some people who enjoy "Malcolm in the Middle" might say that that was overlooked. All told though, it was a really interesting morning in that there were a lot of selectees, more so than before. You know, "Frasier" has been nominated a thousand times, things like that.

The good shows really weren't overlooked for the most part. I think it worked out the way it was supposed to.

HARRIS: Yes, I have to admit I was really surprised by that "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as well. Who has seen that show, and it does get some respect there in the Academy. That was good to see this morning. And good to see you as well, Sam.

RUBIN: Thanks, Leon.

HARRIS: Sam Rubin, KTLA entertainment reporter.

Now, we are going to keep our focus on the Emmys, because, as we said, the HBO drama "Six Feet Under" was one of the surprise hits at the announcements this morning, and one of the nominees is actor Freddy Rodriguez. Now, he picked up a best supporting actor nomination this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, guys.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, 'rico. Langley (ph) is in the reefer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. You guys got a moment?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. What's up?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Vanessa (ph) and I found a house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, 'rico, that's great.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, yes. We really like the house, and we can swing the monthly payments, if we put down 20 percent.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are we talking about?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we pieced most of it together, but we're about 11 grand short.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eleven thousand?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, by tomorrow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look. We'll pay you back over 18 months at 7 percent interest. That's a lot better than the bank, and not too far off the market.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll let you know by tomorrow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right now, Mr. Langley (ph) needs your attention.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm on it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: And Emmy nominee Freddy Rodriguez joins us now live from our affiliate KTLA in Los Angeles -- hey, good morning and congratulations.

FREDDY RODRIGUEZ, ACTOR: Thank you, Leon. How are you?

HARRIS: Hey, I am pleased to have you with us this morning.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you for having me.

HARRIS: I have got to say, I know you are going to get sick and tired of hearing this line, but you guys -- your show kind of buried the competition this morning.

RODRIGUEZ: Yes, it's amazing, it's amazing. It is all happening so fast, too. We're like on cloud nine right now, you know?

HARRIS: All right. So where were you when you heard?

RODRIGUEZ: I was in bed. My wife was the one that was watching it and I kind of thought they would announce the supporting category along with everything else, and they didn't. So I just kind of went back to sleep, and then my publicist, Joy Copolov (ph) called me, and she is like, Wake up, you've been nominated, screaming and everything.

HARRIS: Hold on a second, man. You were able to go back to sleep?

RODRIGUEZ: Well, I mean, a little bit. I was a little tired, but once I heard that -- the amount of nominations that we had, I mean, it was just overwhelming, so...

HARRIS: Yes.

RODRIGUEZ: A sudden adrenaline rush, I think, came through my body.

HARRIS: But this is a moment, man, where you could really get a huge, huge boost to your career, and you were able to sit back and go to sleep instead of watching it? RODRIGUEZ: Yes, sort of, sort of. A little bit.

HARRIS: I can't believe it. That's incredible. Well, tell me something. What do you think about this? I have to ask you this, because I know you may end up getting this question quite a bit as well, but a lot of folks are wondering, you know, who was going to be big winner, since there were no "Sopranos" this time around. Do you think that basically you guys won it by default, or do you really think your show is that much better than what "The Sopranos" could have offered?

RODRIGUEZ: Oh, I can't even begin to compare us, though, to "The Sopranos." I think we have a good chance because they're not here. So, you know, as I've heard in past interviews that now because they're not nominated, now we've taken their place, which is an honor to be even compared to them.

HARRIS: Yes. Yes. And it's an honor that your show and your staff and your colleagues very much deserve. I've watched the show myself a number of times. I have got to tell you it is a fantastic production. What do you think this is going to do for the show from here on out, to get this many nominations, 23 nominations. That raises the bar quite a bit, doesn't it?

RODRIGUEZ: I think so. I think so. I think, hopefully, more people will watch it, you know, hopefully more people will subscribe to HBO and want to get into the show, and rent the past episodes, and kind of catch up to story lines, you know.

HARRIS: And listen, I want you to stand by for a second. I have got someone I want you to talk to, OK? Do you know a lady named Rachel Griffiths?

RODRIGUEZ: Yes.

HARRIS: You know Rachel?

RODRIGUEZ: Yes, yes. Well, Rachel is with us on the phone right now, Rachel also received a nomination this morning. Rachel, are you there?

RACHEL GRIFFITHS, ACTRESS: Yes. Hello.

HARRIS: Congratulations.

GRIFFITHS: Freddie, I am so happy for you.

RODRIGUEZ: For you too. Are you in Australia?

GRIFFITHS: No, I'm in London.

RODRIGUEZ: Oh, you're in London.

GRIFFITHS: Spreading the gospel of "Six Feet Under" to the British...

RODRIGUEZ: Oh, my God.

GRIFFITHS: ... who are converting at a rate that is quite unheard of in this country.

RODRIGUEZ: Wow. Well, congratulations to you.

GRIFFITHS: To you. What a way to wake up.

RODRIGUEZ: It is. It is.

HARRIS: Hey, Rachel, after your nomination for lead actress, how did you feel this morning?

GRIFFITHS: Look, I just love that this time I have such great company. It was wonderful to win the Globe, and for the show and I to win, and Ellen and I to win, but it was a kind of a bit lonely up there, to be honest. So yes, this is bit more like a team that made the Superbowl.

HARRIS: That's a heck of roll you're on, a heck of a year. With the Golden Globe as well as an Emmy nomination.

GRIFFITHS: Yes, well, I think the best part of it is actually I am getting married before the year is out, but it is all just coming together.

HARRIS: Well, that's the trifecta.

GRIFFITHS: That is the trifecta.

HARRIS: You get the ring, the Globe, and then maybe an Emmy. How is that?

GRIFFITHS: Maybe.

HARRIS: Now, where were you when you heard it? What were you doing?

GRIFFITHS: I was -- I had just managed to find myself a Starbucks in South London to get myself a coffee here, and I didn't really know what time it was, so I wasn't expecting it.

HARRIS: Have you heard from any of the other cast members aside from Freddy this morning?

GRIFFITHS: No, not yet. I thought I would let them all kind of -- I know what it's like over there, it is kind of -- I know it all goes crazy. So, I just thought I would let the dust settle and let -- the phones are probably jammed anyway.

HARRIS: Well, let's see how crazy it is. Freddy, who else have you talked with?

RODRIGUEZ: I actually -- I talked to Peter this morning, Peter Krause.

GRIFFITHS: How is he?

RODRIGUEZ: He's good. You know, Peter is so composed.

GRIFFITHS: Yes, he's very composed.

RODRIGUEZ: He is always so composed, and I am here going crazy, and he's on the phone, just congratulating me.

GRIFFITHS: Well, you're an awards virgin too, Freddy. It has to be said, there is nothing as good as the first time.

RODRIGUEZ: I'm bouncing off the walls right now.

GRIFFITHS: You lost your cherry at 5 AM today.

RODRIGUEZ: Oh, my God, I'm still on cloud nine right now.

HARRIS: Well, listen. We are glad to see you all up there on cloud nine.

Thanks for joining us this morning.

GRIFFITHS: Thank you.

HARRIS: Rachel Griffiths, congratulations, both on the wedding as well as on this nomination. All the best to you.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you, Leon.

HARRIS: Freddy Rodriguez, virgin no more.

RODRIGUEZ: Virgin no more, yes.

HARRIS: No longer an awards virgin. Nice to know that, and nice to have you with us today.

RODRIGUEZ: Thank you for having me.

HARRIS: Congratulations to both of you, and good luck when the final decisions are made on the winners. Want to see you there.

RODRIGUEZ: All right.

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