OTHER TECH

You played the first woman president on your TV series Commander in Chief, and now you have the honor of being the first woman to be featured in this column. Oh wow. Well, it's a series of firsts.

How important is it to you that the show is out on DVD? I'm thrilled to have it come out, because it was incredibly meaningful for me to play this part. And if there are episodes that people missed or just want to view again, we're giving them that opportunity. We unfortunately had times when we weren't on the air or were moved to different nights, so it was confusing to figure out where we were.

Have you had a chance to watch the DVD yourself? I have. I'm pleased with it.

Do you watch TV and DVDs in a home theater? We have a real casual TV room right off the bedroom. We decided not to have the TV in the bedroom because it's such a trap. Then you just end up watching it all the time when you're in bed.

I noticed that there aren't any extras on Commander in Chief, Part 1. Will there be any on Part 2, which is due out in September? Yes. You'll see commentaries by me and some of the others involved, and probably outtakes and behind-the-scenes stuff. I haven't done the commentary yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I've done them for movies I've been in but never for a TV show. I remember doing one for Thelma & Louise, and they had Susan Sarandon and me together with microphones in front of us while watching the movie. We were so busy watching that we kept forgetting to talk.

Do you watch a lot of TV on DVD, or do you tend to TiVo shows? I have to limit myself to certain shows - especially when I was shooting the series, because I was so profoundly busy. But my husband and I are definitely big 24 addicts, and it was a date for us every week to watch that show together.