Elisabeth Rohm

Elisabeth Röhm hasn’t appeared on Law & Order in two years, but that doesn’t mean fans have forgotten about her. Even with a new gig on ABC’s Big Shots with Dylan McDermott and Michael Vartan, Röhm jetted off to Australia the other day for a Law & Order autograph signing.

"It’s very popular Down Under," Röhm says.

Planet Gossip’s Matt Donnelly caught up with Röhm via email to chat about how her ex-fiancé, MSNBC’s Dan Abrams, is helping her on Big Shots, what it’s like kissing Vartan and why one of her friends has offered to show up in drag just to come to work with her.

Let’s talk about your tough gig kissing Michael Vartan. Is this a breath-mint situation? Any other pre-love-scene preparations?

As for the kissing part, I hate to break it everyone—it is not easy, not private and you just plug your nose and jump into the water. Michael is such a heartthrob for most women. I have to say I have been asked by everyone what he is like.

And?

Charming, intelligent and totally unaffected.

Your debut on Big Shots is tonight. Tell us about your character, Alex Mason.

Alex is a financial analyst with her own TV show, à la Maria Bartiromo. She’s fierce and aggressive, but she has a soft side and cares for Michael Vartan’s character. Even the tough one’s fall in love.

Have you been talking to any analysts or TV pundits?

I talked to Dan Abrams, because he had great ideas as a TV personality and journalist. Richard Branson

Any real-life big shots—Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson—inspiring the guys on the set?

I’d say the guys are more like Richard Branson out of the group you mentioned, but Michael’s character has the heart of a Bill Gates.

I know you’re engaged, but I gotta ask, who is your dream big shot?

As far as a dream big-shot guy goes I am definitely marrying him [Röhm and entrepreneur Ron Wooster got engaged in August]. But who would I love to work with? Who is dreamy? Ewan McGregor in a Baz Luhrmann musical.

Speaking of your upcoming wedding, you once told me your maid of honor will be your gay male best friend. So, how’s he handling your Michael Vartan on-set action?

He is the most jealous about me having to kiss Michael. He’s been willing to go in drag just to do the job.