Why Marcia Cross Is No Domestic Diva Like Bree Van De Kamp

Source: IVillage

Photo Source: Getty Images

She may play the queen of homemaking on ABC's Desperate Housewives, but actress Marcia Cross isn't anything like Bree Van De Kamp. "I am not the greatest cook. I can do some nice breakfast foods, but don't ask me to do much more!" the actress admits to iVillage in an exclusive interview. As for Bree, "I wish she'd come and move in," Cross jokes.

Her lack of Bree's talent in the kitchen isn't stopping the 48-year-old actress, though. The mother of 3-year-old twin daughters Eden and Savannah is working with Mott's to help kids -- including her daughters -- eat healthier. As part of their commitment to healthy lifestyles, the company has also partnered with the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! to improve local parks and build new "mega-playgrounds" across the country, an initiative Cross feels is essential. "We really need to change the dynamic of what's going on in our country right now, which has led to these high levels of obesity," she explains.

iVillage chatted with Cross about why she's a funny mom, the "gift" she got when her daughters were born (hint: it's a type of guilt!) and why she'd love to get Bree scuba diving!

Why is this Mott's campaign so important to you?

It's just a great combination of things. Obviously, healthy juices and fruits for kids is priority. And they are now partnering with KaBOOM! this year to help build ten playgrounds across the United States. Ten doesn't sound like many, but they're like super-duper $75,000 mega playgrounds. I've learned through KaBOOM! that 60 percent of kids don't have a playground within walking distance of their home. And that statistic moves to 70 percent when you're talking about inner-city kids. Kids need to start out eating right and then going out and playing. I spent my whole childhood outdoors.

What do you do to keep your kids healthy?

In terms of food, I do it with the Mott's Medley Juices. I serve them those, or I sneak food into other foods, which is something Jessica Seinfeld wrote a book about. That's what you've gotta do. One of my girls is kind of a foodie and the other one would like to just only have a jelly sandwich so I have to kind of work it with her. And then I get them out to the park or we go on a hike. I try to get them to love nature like I do.

Do you go for hikes to help you stay in shape?

Well when I hike with them it's not exactly like that. (Laughs) They're actually pretty good -- it won't be long before I will be trying to keep up. For me, I have to press a little harder.

What's a survival tip for overwhelmed twin moms out there?

I think always knowing that it's universal, that you're doing the best I can and there's nothing wrong with you. It's just that hard. It's like, "Okay, this is what it is." And not thinking, "If only I could do this better or that better," which is what I actually am always thinking. But if you just know you're doing the best you can. Take a deep breath. You only have to be a good enough mother. You don't have to be a perfect mother.

What's surprised you most about yourself as a parent?

I didn't know that I'd have such a sense of humor with them. I just use humor a lot rather than getting annoyed or angry. I use the edges of humor to laugh through things as opposed to just being strict or mean. It's hard to explain, but if opportunities come up, we just laugh a lot. We have a lot of fun. We do.

How have you changed since becoming a mom?

I've had to work endlessly at being more and more organized because I'm definitely not a hugely organized person and the world moves at a very fast pace for me -- between emails and a million things you have to do for two children and my work life and my husband. Just trying to keep up with all that -- that's how I've kind of changed, but still always need to change more!

How do you see yourself in Eden and Savannah?

Oh my goodness, what a great question. I see the humor that I've brought to them. I see that coming back to me now, but in terms of who they are, they're both so different and I just see them as them. I don't really see me in them. I see some of the humor. I just feel like they're their own girls. And they're radically different.

How are they different?

One's a little more introverted, one's a little more extroverted. One loves to eat, one doesn't really want to eat. One always wants to wear shorts and blue, and the other's all girly and wants to wear my high heels. They're so much fun and so joyful to watch and just be with.

What's the funniest thing they've been doing lately?

There's this song that they know that is really cute, but it drives me crazy and it gets stuck in my head and I keep telling them, "This song gets stuck in my head." So now when they want to tease me, they'll start singing the song. It's so cute. It's adorable.

Do you think they understand the special bond of being twin sisters?

I'm not sure yet. I'd say in the next couple years they'll start to figure it out. They just know nothing different. That's just the way it is -- that's who (they've) been with morning, noon and night.

You brought Desperate Housewives home with you when you were pregnant, shooting scenes from your bedroom. How do you now balance motherhood and work?

I don't think you can look at it on a day-to-day basis because I might have a 14-hour day at work, so that's completely unbalanced in terms of seeing my kids and it's a ton of work. But then the next day I'll spend lots and lots of time with them. So I try to do it on an ongoing basis. If I've been working, then the next day I'll spend more time with the girls. And if I've been with the girls, then maybe I'll allow myself a little me time. It just depends how it's all going and that changes week to week.

Do you ever feel mommy guilt?

I think the minute any child is born that comes with it! I think it's just wrapped in a big bow right beside them. It never goes away.

Which Desperate Housewife are you most like in real life?

None of them, really. No, because Lynette's so organized and so with it and Gaby is just nothing like me, but she's so much fun. I'd be more like Susan.

Is there one thing you would like to do as Bree that you haven't?

I would like to see her in situations where she's just so out of her comfort zone, like skydiving or on a roller coaster. You know what I mean? I would like to see her pushed that way.

Like a "Bree Has Fun" episode.

Or maybe a few! Scuba diving. Just things that she's never allowed herself to do.
 

Will we ever see Bree having it nice and easy?

I doubt it. I would like that. It'd be great to have some fun. She should have a good time.

Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross) Bio

Character Bio

Bree Van de Kamp is a searing, uptight perfectionist. Her strong resolve and proper demeanor have caused tension in her marriage and home-life. As a mother of two teenagers, her icy cool nerves were often tested. She struggled to rein in her rebellious, and at times soulless son, Andrew, and fought to give her self-absorbed daughter, Danielle, a proper perspective on life.

During a routine meeting with the neighborhood call-girl, her husband Rex suffered a heart attack, thus shining a light on his dark secrets. Bree reluctantly cared for him during his recovery after her children's insistence. He marriage was further troubled when she began dating the local pharmacist, George Williams, much to her husband's dismay. Rex took matters into his own hands when he went to ward off George, only inciting his jealousy which led him to begin tampering with Rex's heart medication. Bree was eventually widowed when after months of poisoning by their pharmacist, Rex's heart gave way.

Despite all this, her "perfect housewife" routine remained nearly unshaken during the past year. She was able to keep up appearances at the country club, find time to bake muffins for her incarcerated arch nemesis, Maisy Gibbons and somehow maintain her perfectly quaffed flip.

About Marcia Cross

In 2005 Marcia Cross was nominated for both a Golden Globe Award in the Best Actress category and an Emmy Award in the Best Actress in a Comedy Series category.

Prior to her role on "Desperate Housewives," Cross starred as Dr. Linda Abbott on The WB's critically-acclaimed series, "Everwood." She is also well known for her role as Dr. Kimberly Shaw on the hit drama "Melrose Place."

Born and raised in Marlborough, Massachusetts, Cross was determined to become an actress from the moment she performed in her first school play, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," in the sixth grade. At the age of 18 she was accepted at the Juilliard School as a Drama major.

On stage Cross performed in "La Ronde" at the Williamstown Theater Festival, in "Twelfth Night" at the Hartford Stage Company, and in "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Old Globe in San Diego.

Her first television job was on the daytime drama "The Edge of Night." Leaving New York to try her luck in Los Angeles, Cross was soon landing roles in television movies such as "The Last Days of Frank and Jessie James," co-starring with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Her memorable role on "Melrose Place" began when she was hired for one episode. The producers were so impressed, they kept asking her back for additional appearances, eventually bringing her character back from the dead to continue on the hit show.

Cross also guest-starred on such series as "Seinfeld," where she played Jerry's dermatologist girlfriend, and "Cheers," where she portrayed the younger sister to Kirstie Alley's character. She has also appeared on the comedies "Ally McBeal," "Spin City," "The Garry Shandling Show" and "King of Queens." Her dramatic roles include appearances on "CSI," "Profiler" and "Touched by an Angel," and her film credits include ""Living in Fear," "Always Say Good-bye," "Dancing in September" and "Bad Influence."

Aside from her successful career as an actress, Cross has also made time to continue her education. She recently completed her clinical training to earn a Masters Degree in Psychology.

Cross makes her home in Los Angeles.

Source: CTV, ABC

'Desperate Housewives' finale: EP talks about Bree's dilemma

In the last episode of "Desperate Housewives," Bree (Marcia Cross) thought she had scared away Rex's bastard son Sam (played by Sam Page). She was wrong. He came back with a shocker.

He knows that Andrew hit Carlos' mother with his car. Sam offered to keep it secret in exchange for Bree's business. That leaves the housewife with very few choices.

"Her dilemma in the finale is does she tell Gaby and Carlos this information," executive producer Bob Daily says. "That's what she's going to be wrestling with through the episode and Orson is going to be the conscience in her ear."

In the finale, Bree makes her decision. It's clear, though, that it will have some ripple effects.

"The secret is going to keep growing like a cancer and it's going to really end up affecting every aspect of Bree's life," Daily says. "Her relationship with her son, her relationship with her husband, her relationship with her friends." (Source)

I really hope that Bree listens to her son and doesn't give up all that she has worked for. She's smart and I know that she will figure something out!  What do you guys think? Should Bree had it over to Sam or keep it to herself? Let me know by leaving your comments below.