What I would have liked to do on that show was play a secretary of state who has huge personal business interests throughout the world. That, to me, seems to be more in synch with reality.

I'm trying to find a character that's my age and I can sustain week after week. I'd like to do a series.

Even though shows like NYPD Blue are soaps in my opinion, but they're individualized to an extent that you can still follow what's going on if you miss a week.

I'm an Irish-American, and I grew up in an Irish-American neighborhood.

I try to watch only real things, which basically amounts to C-Span for me. I like real people in real situations. I learn from that.

Ultimately the Emmys are a popularity contest.

And I have to credit David Jacobs with the opportunities he gave me. He was totally into sharing the creation of characters. David put together a show that told the story of people over many years' time and that was greatly enjoyable. Though nowadays that is frowned upon.