INTERVIEWS

Balancing a new sitcom and caring for a wife battling breast cancer, Tammy Lynn Michaels says 2005 is all about good times ahead

By Daniel A. Kusner DALLAS VOICE
Life+Style Editor

For actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, 2004 was a mixture of untold bliss and extreme challenges. Ever since their celebrity-packed wedding on Sept. 22, 2003, Michaels and wife Melissa Etheridge have enjoyed life as enchanted newlyweds.

In January, Michaels guest-starred in the debut episode of “The L Word.” In February, Etheridge released “Lucky,” an album inspired by the couples’ harmonious union. As the year rolled out, the rockstar played three-hour shows while touring standing-room-only nightclubs. And the actress landed a starring role on “Committed,” an NBC sitcom that premieres Tuesday.

Then, on Oct. 8, Etheridge posted a notice on her Web site that she was being treated for breast cancer. The news was a shocker. Etheridge, 43, cancelled the remaining dates of her tour and went into surgery. Michaels assumed the role of the ever-supportive, handholding spouse.

On the Monday after Christmas, Michaels phones from the bustling home she shares with Etheridge and the kids, Bailey and Beckett. (Etheridge and former lover Julie Cypher trade weeks sharing custody).

Step-mommy Tammy Lynn puts the phone down to help find assemble toy that was in a Christmas stocking. And when Michaels can’t recall what they did at a Dallas nightclub on Sept. 10, 2001 (the rocker was scheduled to perform in Fort Worth on 9/11), Etheridge shouts, “We played air hockey, remember?”

“The big secret about Melissa,” Michaels says, “is that she’s a genuine sweetheart. Nobody knows that.”
Oh please, who doesn’t know that? When Howard Stern announced Etheridge’s breast cancer diagnosis, he gushed about the rocker’s velvety warmth — even though Etheridge has always refused to appear on his program.

“She will never, ever be on Howard Stern,” Michaels says.
How come? He’s very pro-gay — especially when it comes to lesbians.

“I agree, but there are topics we aren’t interested in discussing that Howard would push,” Michaels says.
Although Michaels perfected the role of a backstabbing bitch (WB’s “Popular), a lovesick freakazoid (“The L Word”) and now, the boozy and wickedly sarcastic best friend on “Committed,” Etheridge’s comfy vibe seems to have rubbed off.

Etheridge is in the thick of her chemotherapy treatments, which will end in February. But Michaels remains vivacious, strong and optimistic.

“Chemo is the hardest thing that we’re going to go through. But we both know that it’s going to be downhill from there,” she says.

On Nov. 26, Michaels turned 30 and made a quick inventory check.

“I got this great job, a wonderful home, a wonderful wife, and that alone puts me ahead of the game. So every opportunity is just a chance to learn something and grow a little bit wiser,” she says. “The cancer diagnosis and chemo are disguised as spiritual lessons. 2005 looks absolutely terrific — the best year yet. And 2006 will be better. 2007, even better. Everything is only up from here — sunshine and roses. It’s all about how you look at it.”
So how will the happy couple spend New Year’s Eve?
“That will be a hard day for Melissa,” Michaels says. “She will probably be in bed. And I will probably sit next to her and crochet and read. That’s our life right now.”
With 13 episodes of “Committed” already in the can, Michaels can spend some time at home.

The sitcom is about two completely neurotic lost New Yorker who find each other. Michaels plays Tess, an irresponsible nanny who lives across the hall from the eternally upbeat Marni (Jennifer Finnigan). Marni falls in love with Nate (Josh Cooke), a phobic genius who works at a
record store. It’s NBC’s obvious attempt to fill the post-“Friends” void, and Michaels hardly has a chance to showcase her talent in the first three episodes.
“I’m like Rhoda from ‘Mary Tyler Moore,’” Michaels explains. “I’m the neighbor — some episodes I’m barely there. Sometimes I’m everywhere.”

Speaking of Rhoda, Valerie Harper guest-stars on “Committed” this season, and so does Bob Newhart. The show was produced and created by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, who both worked on “Ellen.”

“Nope, they’re not lesbians,” Michaels explains.

And neither is Michaels’ character.

“Just because I’m playing the role, doesn’t mean the girl has to be a dyke. That’s just so boring,” Michaels says.
Instead, her character Tess is a man-hungry barracuda who just can’t get enough.

Another role that doesn’t hold Michaels’ interest is being the poster-wife for lesbian couples.

“Is that what I am?” she asks.

Pretty much — especially after InStyle magazine showcased her picture-perfect wedding.

“When you’re in it, you can’t see it the same way everyone else does. So I haven’t taken on or adopted that title,” she explains.

Did Michaels always want to be famous?

“As a child, I was starved for approval. I used to think that being famous would make everything fine, but it didn’t change anything,” she says. “Now people just know who I am when I’m at the grocery store.”

I mention that the current tabloids at the grocery store are screaming about Etheridge’s good friend Ellen DeGeneres, her scandalous break-up and shacking up with new squeeze, Portia de Rossi. Before I get my question out, Michaels starts laughing and screams into the phone, “No comment! No comment No comment! No comment!” In the background, I can hear Etheridge laughing.

Tammy Lynn Michaels