Forever Dreaming
https://foreverdreaming.org/

Merrin Dungey Info.
https://foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3196		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  destinyros2005 [ 02/02/03 14:34 ]
Post subject:  Merrin Dungey Info.
from tvguide.com

Meet Alias's New Bad Girl
Friday, January 31, 2003

Alias fans weren't the only folks shocked by last Sunday's post-Super Bowl episode, which climaxed with the murder of Sydney's (Jennifer Garner) sweet roommate Francie (Merrin Dungey) at the hands of her never-before-seen evil double. Not even Dungey's closest friends knew the actress would soon transform into a femme fatale. Since October, she's been suffering under a vow of silence about the plot twist, and now she's dying to tell us all about it!

"J.J. [Abrams, the show's creator] said he'd send my character to Disney World, never to return, if I said anything," she tells TV Guide Online. "I've been holding this secret and living [like] Sydney Bristow... No one knew what was happening for so long. I'm breathing a sigh of relief and can't stop talking about it now!"

Dungey knew something had to change for her character, who'd been pushed to the sidelines to make way for the arrival of Syd's mother (Lena Olin). "I was getting frustrated because I'd come in once a week and say, 'Hey guys, do you want to try my soup, or bouillabaisse or brownies?'" she laughs. "I walked in my trailer, and I was like, 'If I see one more apron... Am I Florida on Good Times?'"

For months, Abrams and Dungey discussed different scenarios for the character, hoping to find a way to make the switch ring true. (Yeah, and we all know doppelgangers are quite a natural part of the real world.) Next thing the 31-year-old knew, she was training with world champion kickboxer Benny "the Jet" Urquidez, who's taught the likes of John Cusack, Jean-Claude Van Damme and David Lee Roth. "Jennifer is a badass... She is it," sasses the seasoned sitcom guest-star. "And if I'm going to have to get in there and tangle with her or any one of her fellow foes on the show, I've got to be ready."

Of course, before Dungey gets to threaten the free world with her deadly moves, she's got to keep up the best-friend act a little longer. "Even though some of the situations seem to be similar — me and Sydney in the house talking — you know Bad Francie is up to no good," she says with glee. "It's sooo good now. It is just delicious every time I get to jump into 'the Francinator.'" — Sabrina Rojas Weiss
Author:  destinyros2005 [ 02/23/03 19:42 ]
Post subject:  Merrin Dungey Info.
From Alias Media:

Dungey pleased with new role

Kevin D. Thompson
Cox News Service
Feb. 23, 2003 12:00 AM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Until recently, Merrin Dungey didn't have much to do on "Alias," ABC's Sunday night thrill ride spy drama.

As cheery Francie, restaurant-running confidante and best buddy of Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), Dungey would nod a lot, offer soothing advice and lovingly question if everything was OK after the CIA's sexiest agent returned from yet another death-defying mission.

That all changed, however on the show's spectacular post-Super Bowl episode in which the real Francie was murdered by - get this! - an evil Francie double!

Suddenly, Dungey, a former stand-up comic who also has recurring roles on CBS' "King of Queens" and Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle," became an icy assassin who could wipe out a small Third World nation.

We caught up with Dungey, who dished about her new character direction and her obsession with "Friends."

Isn't kicking butt more fun than being Sydney's do-nothing best friend?
What do you think? It was important to have that (other) role, though. It shows what Sydney's life is like and it gives a balance. As much as it isn't as complicated to play, there is something in that.

But weren't you frustrated that you didn't have much to do?
I felt restrained. Particularly this year, there were times when I would walk into my trailer and see all these aprons. And I was like, "Am I Florida (Esther Rolle's character) on "Good Times"? What's going on in this restaurant?" I was really feeling left out of things. I would literally walk in on every scene and be, like, "Hey guys, you wanna try some cookies?"

Francie versus Sydney in the ultimate catfight. Who wins?
I don't know. I've been working out. Jen looks good, but I think I could take her.

Where did you learn those dagger-like looks Francie shoots at Sydney? You look really evil.
Why, thank you so much! My friend Kevin (Weisman who plays Marshall, the geeky gadget maker) called me the other day and said, "My little sister had nightmares about your eyes." I don't know - we all have a little anger in us.

When did you find out your character was going to change?
I've known since last season. (Series creator) J.J. (Abrams) has always had this in his mind. He told me at the end of the year to start training and I didn't know exactly what was going on, but then he filled me in. For the last nine months of my life, I've been running around like a real-life Sydney Bristow keeping secrets from my family, friends and boyfriend.

What kind of training did you do?
I called Jen and asked her, "Who is the best?" And she (told me about a kickboxing expert) who's worked with John Cusack, Sean Penn and David Lee Roth. He teaches a style called "Ukidon" and it's nine ways of fighting from meditation to how to kill someone.

Can you kill someone in real life?
I tell ya, I feel a lot safer when I walk down those dark alleys alone at night. He showed me a few moves where you can throw a certain hit to the throat. It's the hardest training I've ever had to do in my life for anything. After my first session, I called Jen sobbing 'cause everything hurt so much. She was like, "Go home, get in the tub, have a glass of wine, it'll all be better in the morning." I can't believe she's been doing this forever. I have even more high praise for her.

With roles in three shows at the same time, are you the hardest working woman in show business?
It's entirely possible. I'm sure some people would beg to differ and want me to share some of the wealth, but I'm so grateful.

Talk about your love for "Friends" and why there are so few black people on it.
I'm an enormous "Friends" viewer. It's a sickness with me. If I'm in the makeup trailer, it's on. Everyone gets really mad at me. I'm so obsessed with the show, it doesn't matter how many times I've seen it. I'll say there have been a handful (of black characters, including Dungey who played a wedding coordinator) that have gone through. People give them such a hard time and it's unfortunate.

They don't even bump into black people.
It's a very weird place in New York that they do live in. That is odd. But that is their life and their little world.

What show was funnier? "Friends," "Seinfeld" or "Murphy Brown"? You've been on all three and should know.
"Friends." It happened when I was in my 20s and it happened at the right time for me. They were my friends. I've done "Murphy Brown" - hey, I was on all of those shows. Jesus! I rule! I'm very excited and pleased with my resume.

Source: azcentral.com
Author:  The Zookeepers Apprentice [ 02/24/03 04:48 ]
Post subject:  Merrin Dungey Info.
Too cool! Thanks for posting these. I think it rocks Merrin gets more to do, even if Nice Francie had to die. I liked that chick...
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/