Constance Zimmer is known best for her role of Dana Gordon on HBO’s “Entourage”. The show is returning on July 24, 2011 for its eighth and final season. But “Entourage” fans don’t worry since a film is also planned after the series ends. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Constance about her role in the final season as well as your TV series “Love Bites”.
Mike Gencarelli: What can you tell us about working on the final season of “Entourage”?
Constance Zimmer: I would say its bitter sweet as we all knew it was slowly coming to an end. It definitely felt though like there was more closeness on the set. People are very excited about the season and even though there are only eight episodes, they are all packed since there was a lot of stuff to fit in. The characters all needed to be rounded out so fans weren’t left feeling as though they have missed or lost anything. I think Doug (Ellin) and Ally (Musika) did a great job this year fulfilling each character. I feel Dana Gordon gets a chance to really round out her character. Instead of just seeing her at work we get to see Dana’s other issues going on. This season there is a big mixture between the entertainment business and the characters personal lives which is a lot more like how it is in the entertainment business as it’s not business all the time.
MG: What do you like most about playing Dana Gordon?
CZ: I think for me what has been so great is that the character has progressed every year which has been really fun to do. The fact that I started playing this role seven years ago and was just an assistant to the head of the studio and now I AM the head of the studio is pretty fantastic. It’s also great that Doug (Ellin) got to show a woman in this type of role as there a lot of woman in the 
business working as executives. Back in the day there was only Sherry Lansing. Now there are so many more and I do believe that the industry was really excited that there was a really strong female representing them. For me this role has been just so great to play and most of the stuff I have done with Jeremy Piven has been a bonus. Jeremy makes you a better actor as he really makes you step up to the plate.
MG: Do you think we will ever see “Entourage” on the big screen?
CZ: I think it’s more of a yes than a no. I think the way that this season ends it could be played into a movie. Everyone would be coming from a different place which will give good conflict to the movie and to the story lines. I think also if a lot of fans come to this season of the show it will show HBO and the word that they want a movie. I mean come on who doesn’t want to see two hours of “Entourage”!
MG: What can you tell us about your show “Love Bites”?
CZ: It’s been a very funny situation with that show because it’s what they call a summer burn off series. If you do to the show it’s pretty much a mini-series because it’s not coming back. We only shot nine episodes and they are pretty much just airing them to be nice. (Laughs) This has made it really bizarre doing press because I am really excited that its airing, as I think everyone involved is. We have so many great guest stars and have put so much work into the show but it’s another one of those bitter sweet situations where fans ask me when the next season is and I tell them that there isn’t one. I’m just glad that it’s on the air and some people are going to see it. It was great playing a character that was the total opposite of Dana Gordon as I come from comedy and can do other things than just play conservative, bitchy Dana.(Laughs) It will be kind of nice as once “Love Bites” is done airing “Entourage” starts.
MG: Was it always the decision to not do another season or were there other factors?
CZ: We were originally given thirteen episodes and got cut to nine due to the big NBC turn over that happened last year. I think that everyone didn’t know what was going to happen with the new regime that took over. When the new group came in I think there may have been a lot of ‘what do we do’ type decisions. The show is an anthology show which makes it kind of difficult along with the fact that it’s a one hour comedy, which is very rare. The big question was where to put it. Originally the decision was not to air it at all, so the fact that it’s airing this summer is great. 
It was never the plan to only do one season but I’m just glad it’s airing in general.
MG: What other projects are you working on right now?
CZ: I just finished a movie called “The Babymakers” with Olivia Munn and Paul Schneider, which is an independent movie by The Broken Lizard comedy troop. Right now I am really trying to sink my teeth into doing big comedy’s to remind people that where I come from. I am also doing a play reading. I really like to keep myself busy with things. Here in Los Angeles, pilot series season will start up in a few months so I just hope to get myself back on another show that will have a good of run as “Entourage”. Plus we will be probably shooting a movie next summer any ways!
