Spoiled, indulgent, washed-up, pug-obsessed and possessed of some of the quirkiest billionaire parents imaginable: Tori Spelling’s been trying to duck those labels—and a lot of others—for a long time, but now she WANTS you to believe those things about her…as long as it makes you laugh. If you haven’t checked out VH1’s new sit-com So NoTORIous, you’re missing one of the most amusing—and fearless—celebrity-as-an-unflattering-version-of-themselves performances since Jerry Seinfeld revealed his love of Superman and cereal. Hollywood.com recently received an audience with Aaron’s daughter—as well as her canine co-star, Ms. Mimi LaRue.
Hollwyood.com: Not everything we see on the show REALLY happened to you, we hope.
Tori Spelling: It’s kind of harder that way. We kind of just sit around and throw out ideas. Eat a lot of lunches and then something comes out.
HW: Is any topic off limits?
TS: No. When we discuss storylines, nothing is off limits as far as my life goes, because I’m at that point now where why hold back? Why make excuses for things I should be proud of?
HW: Will you be lampooning your upcoming wedding on the show?
TS: Oh, that would be many seasons away from now. We’re starting with her single. As we all know in television, it’s always good to keep the lead single.
HW: Will your new fiance Dean McDermott be on the show in any form?
TS: We haven’t even addressed that. I mean, he’s so supportive of the show. He loves the show. I don’t know—I know we want to work together again. If it’s on this, I don’t know. We’re not even there yet.
HW: Will you call your celebrity friends to make guest appearances?
TS: Well, since I’m terrified of talking on the phone I don’t know that that will be happening, but I can always just BlackBerry them. I’m terrified of the phone. I used to be scared to call 411. Oh yeah. I got over that now. I’m passive-aggressive. The BlackBerry has saved my life. We actually have an episode around my BlackBerry and my BlackBerry gets stolen. It’s my lifeline.
HW: So did you chicken out when recruiting your dad to play himself?
TS: We kind of spoof the whole Charlie’s Angels idea with Charlie on the speakerphone and my father’s voice—he talks through speakerphone to me. It’s not actually him, no. But that was my idea. You can’t cast Aaron Spelling, no.
HW: Speaking of Charlie’s Angels, your real-life next-door neighbor Farrah Fawcett’s going to be on the show, too?
TS: Yeah. I hadn’t seen her in a few years. So I wrote her a really nice note and got her a script and slipped it under her door because we’re neighbors.
HW: Has it been a breath of fresh air to finally cut loose and go for big laughs?
TS: Definitely. Comedy is what I feel I am best suited for. Actually, when I first started filming this I thought it would be really easy, but the first day I was like, “This is hardest role I’ve ever had because I’m playing myself. I’m not playing a character. I just have to be me. Oooh, that’s scary and hard.”
HW: Do you ask your friends for input in the show—do they suggest what’s mock-able about you?
TS: Yes, of course. I have three friends on the show that play my best friends, so I go to my real friends in real life that I’ve had since I was 16 and ask them “Do you remember this time…?” I try to think of funny stories and we try to incorporate things.
HW: It seems like so many people from the cast of Beverly Hills, 90210 are working right now. Do you keep in touch with everyone?
TS: Yeah. I am friendly with them. I was just emailing with Jason [Priestly] today—we’re trying to work out dates with him and he’s just crazed, which is great. The worst thing you can see is “Oh, look at the show that was so popular then and look they’re all has-beens.” But we’re all working. So it’s great. I just think they’re all really good actors and they found the right parts this season.
HW: If Jason were to come on the show, would he play himself or a character?
TS: We don’t know yet. We’re trying to work out the dates. If it were to work out we’re not sure if he’d play himself or a character. Probably himself.
HW: Did you ever watch Gross Point, which also spoofed your 90210 image?
TS: I saw one episode of it. You know what? I was at a point in my life where I wasn’t ready to be mocked. So my feelings were hurt. And, I was like, “Oh, typical. This is what the press does to me. Now they’re doing it to me on TV. This is my life. Ho-hum. Ho-hum.” Now, I could laugh at it. Now, I’ve turned that page—like, mock me all you want. Go for it.
HW: How did you turn that page?
TS: No. I grew up. I don’t know. I just grew up and got wiser and realized ‘What am I doing turning my back on something? This is who I am. And why not use it to the best of my ability?” I used to go on talk shows and I’d be so nervous that they’d ask me about my father and the mansion. And, now, when I’m interviewed, I’m like “Bring it on!”
HW: There’s an episode with you shopping at Costco. Do you shop there?
TS: Yeah. I have my Costco card with my picture on it just like every other normal person. I go there when I have parties and you need mass amounts of things. What do I go to Costco for? Dom Perignon! Could you imagine? Just kidding. And I love the 99 Cent Store. I always get a bargain there.
HW: Do customers do a double take when they spot you in the aisles?
TS: It’s probably the same reaction any actor has when they go anywhere. If it’s a place they don’t think you’d be at, they look and go, “Oh, it couldn’t be…” and walk away.
HW: So, Ms. 99 Cent Store, what’s the best dollar you ever spent?
TS: Mimi. Every penny was worth it on Mimi. She’s in character right now, and it’s a choice she’s making. She’s really talented, isn’t she? She loves getting her picture taken. She’s doing really well. The guys write all this stuff and I’m like, “You know she’s not an actual animal actor. She has not been trained.” Like, how are we gonna make her howl? How are we gonna make her do all this stuff? And, she has performed every task given to her. She’s wonderful. Mimi’s so smart! Mimi used to feel like she was in competition with [Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua] Tinkerbell. But, a year later, we don’t hear any more about Tinkerbell but Mimi’s still out there…I’ve never been the type to spend countless amount of dollars on a purse, but I will spend a lot of money on Mimi’s outfits.
HW: She does seem to be enjoying all of this attention.
TS: She just told me she wanted to be an actress and following in my dad’s footsteps of nepotism, I just gave her a show. That’s why I really created this show. [Laughs]
–Reporting by Gerri Miller
