by LOUISA CLEAVE
Fans of Absolutely Fabulous may by now have discovered an American equivalent to Joanna Lumley's outrageous Patsy.
She is Nina Van Horn, the constant scene-stealer in Just Shoot Me (TV2, 9 pm), an American sitcom about life on a glitzy women's magazine.
As Blush magazine's fashion editor, Nina, like Patsy, lives her life in a semi-intoxicated state, has a nose for fashion and refuses to grow old.
Wendie Malick, the actress who plays Nina, says her character was first described to her as a woman who is "kicking and screaming her way into middle age."
Malick liked the outline, but wanted Nina to have a bit more substance than just a "raving bitch" who would soon bore viewers.
"I figured if she could have this fabulous sense of style and think she is the centre of her universe, then there's something funny to play in that. We're sort of pointing the finger at our obsession with youth.
"We're so completely obsessed with our youth culture, particularly in this town, in Hollywood. It's such a youth-driven, perfection-rules kind of place that it's very hard to grow old gracefully. I wanted to play someone who is doing everything wrong."
Malick admits there are similarities between her and Nina. They are of similar age and, like her character, Malick is a former model. But the actress exercises more self-restraint.
"I know a lot of people who think it would be fun to be her for a week. But the reality is that someone like Nina would be dead within a month. She's way too out there."
Malick was given the chance to show her flair for comedic acting towards the end of her five years (1990-95) on the American series Dream On.
But before Just Shoot Me, the tall, slender actress was more often offered roles as a lawyers or ex-wife. She is still best remembered as David Hasselhoff's ex on Baywatch.
Now into her 40s, Malick says she is working more than ever - something which makes her feel "an exception to the rule" in Hollywood.
"I think it's in part because I'm a character actor. If my career was based on beauty and perfection, if I was some sort of sex symbol, I would be really terrified right now.
"I look pretty good for my age, I'm in great shape. But I don't look like a 25-year-old anymore - and I don't really want to be.
"There's that kind of odd thing when you realise that maybe you're one of the people who are in a position to change the way people think about what it is to be a middle-aged woman.
"You don't have to kiss the fun part of your life goodbye, or your sensuality or your intrigue. I know so many fabulous women in their 40s, 50s and 60s who have redefined what it is to be mature.
"Combining wisdom with sexuality and intellect, and not being so self-conscious about all of it, makes you even more attractive."
TV: Nina Van Horn - Actress with attitude
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