The Starter Wife Interview Chris Diamontopoulos

Debra Messing Stars in Hollywood Comedy About Divorce on USA

Oct 15, 2008
Christine Nyholm

: Debra Messing - Electric Artists

The Starter Wife is a USA comedy that stars Debra Messing and spoofs Hollywood. Chris Diamontopoulos plays Rodney, gay interior designer and close friend of Molly Kagen.

The Starter Wife, starring Debra Messing, has started airing its premiere season on USA Cable Network. Actor Chris Diamantopoloulos recently held a telephone interview, in which Suite 101 Prime Time TV participated. In the interview, Chris discussed his character, Rodney, who is the close friend of Molly Kagen, the lead character portrayed by Debra Messing.

Chris Diamantopoulous

Chris Diamantopoulows was raised in Toronto, where he began his career in Musical Theatre. The actor has appeared on stage, on numerous television shows and in films. Television credits include Law & Order, Third Watch, Frasier, Nip/Tuck, American Dreams, Charmed, The Sopranos, CSI and Eli Stone.

Diamantopoulos, who is Greek heritage, is married to actress Becki Newton, who plays Amanda Tanen on Ugly Betty.

Rodney the Character

Rodney is a close friend and confidant of Molly Kagen (Debra Messing) and Joan (Judy Davis). The gay interior designer is getting his design business back on track. His newest love interest is Felix Jones, a tough, masculine hunk who is an action movie hero. Rodney gets a serious crush on the actor, but thinks it is hopeless because Jones is straight. Jones initiates an affair, but maintains that he is heterosexual; confusing Rodney, who is in danger of losing his heart.

Rodney's New Love Interest

In the course of the interview, Chris was asked about his inappropriate love interest and he replied, 'Rodney is asked to design a house of a famous action star and it turns out that this action star is closeted and Rodney ends up having an affair with him. So, things get pretty tricky.

Rodney' is such a good guy. He comes from such an honest and ethical place that I think for him to be doing something like this, obviously there's the excitement factor, but he is torn because he recognizes that this can not end well, or so he thinks.'

Chris on Working on The Starter Wife

'I'm really lucky because I get to work with people that I enjoy. I think the writing is really good. I feel very safe that these producers are watching what we are doing and making good choices, and helping us to make the right choices. So that gives you a chance to really take chances and have fun and I think that is what is is all about. We are really lucky to be able to do that.'

When asked about the difference in filming the five episode mini-series compared to the series, Chris replied, 'The answer is I love this pace. The pace of the ten episode series is spectacular. We shot the miniseries in Australia and we shot it more like a film and it was out of sequence....This is more organized. Shooting in L.A. is really lovely just because it is familiar and it is home. I was going to say it was perfectly convenient because my wife was shooting her show there, but of course as soon as I signed my contract to shoot the show in L.A., Ugly Betty moved to New York.'

Chris on Working with Debra Messing

'Debra Messing is probably one of the funniest people I have ever met, and she can hang, man. She has a guy sense of humor, and when Hart or David or I think we can make her blush, we always end up ruing that because she makes us blush. She has really got a great sense of humor. '

Chris went on to describe the shooting of one of the series fantasy sequences, where Debra spoofs Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, 'We all went into the rehearsal very respectful because Debra is going to be sitting there and whatever, so she uncrosses her legs and she is wearing a pair of panties that say 'Say Please.' We all lost it.'

'The truth of the matter is that the atmosphere on set is very light. When Debra and I are shooting together, we are constantly singing and hanging out and laughing.'

Chris on Why Viewers Should Tune in to The Starter Wife

'First and foremost, above everything, it is Debra Messing. If you have ever met her and had a chance to spend time with her, she's just so bloody lovable and so earnest and so amiable and just such a joy to be around. Debra delivers, she is amazingly funny in the funny moments, funnier than anyone on TV. I think Debra Missing is probably the key reason people should tune in and will continue to tune in, because she is captivating.'

'Other than that, we have got a stellar cast. Judy Davis is great. All of the players do a really good job. Debra Messing being one part, the the exact equal other part is Sara and Josie, the writers. The writing is really clever and current and they do a great job of communicating what is happening in that Hollywood world and adding their little spice on top.'

Cast of The Starter Wife