Music: {allcanada} Smith a 'gorgeous model' on Finkleman show

Saturday, March 5, 2011

{allcanada} Smith a 'gorgeous model' on Finkleman show

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Lauren Lee Smith had an interesting reaction when she was given this flattering bit of information:

In the media material for Smith's new TV series Good Dog, which debuts Sunday on HBO Canada, her character is described as "a gorgeous model."

Smith laughed very, very hard.

"You know what, I haven't even read any of that," the Vancouver native said. "That's probably good. I don't think my ego needs to be reading that over and over again.

"I would have to say, they're probably using that based on the fact that I've sat in a hair and makeup trailer for two hours and they've put me in amazing clothes. I'm sure that's a good part of it."

Well, let's be perfectly blunt: Some people could spend their entire lives in a hair and makeup trailer and never approach the "gorgeous model" sphere. So way to go, Lauren Lee Smith.

The "gorgeous model" angle actually is at the heart of Good Dog, a 13-episode, half-hour comedy series starring creator/writer/director Ken Finkleman (The Newsroom).

In Good Dog, George (Finkleman) is a grumpy TV producer who has become romantically involved with Claire (Smith), a "gorgeous model half his age." George has pitched his new relationship to a TV network as a reality show, but the network insists that George and Claire move in together.

Canadian TV fans have seen plenty of Smith lately on the CTV series The Listener, where she has been playing Michelle McCluskey in the second season. This comes after Smith spent the 2008-09 season playing Riley Adams on the iconic series CSI, which airs on CBS and CTV.

"We may joke about it, but it definitely did help to go to L.A. and do some work there, because it really helped my career in Canada," Smith said. "We (Canadians) are a funny bunch that way. But that's fine, as long as I get to work."

Smith's season on CSI was great for her profile, but her role unexpectedly hit a wall, which was frustrating.

"William Petersen was leaving, Laurence Fishburne was coming on, and I think the whole idea of my character and what they had planned really got lost in the mix," Smith recalled.

"There was a certain point halfway through the season where I went to (the show-runners) and was like, 'Guys, what am I doing here? I don't know how important my character actually is.' It was apparent to me and it was apparent to them. But it all worked out for the best, I think."

Smith obviously has been busy post-CSI, but Good Dog is her first real foray into comedy.

"If you're jumping head-first into a different genre, Ken Finkleman is the guy to do it with," Smith said. "It's not necessarily that I personally have to be funny, but the lightness of the show is new for me."

And don't forget, when all else fails, Smith can just stand there being "a gorgeous model."

"I guess they couldn't say, 'A mediocre model,'" added Smith, laughing hard again. "Hopefully people aren't disappointed. You have me worried now.

"Oh man, that's funny. Thank you for that."