Going from cheering on the sidenes to sharing lines with other talented actors such as Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps and Jesse Spencer in the popular Fox show “House” could have been a tough transition for anyone -but Jennifer Morrison makes it look easy. Jennifer plays Dr. Cameron on the show, and often finds herself pumping up her mostly male cast. “If it’s been a really long or hard day, I kind of do fill the shoes of being the cheerleader,” Jennifer says.

Here’s what Jennifer had to say about her cheer background and what it’s like being on one of the most-watched shows in primetime.
AC: When did you start cheering?

Jennifer Morrison: I cheered at South MS in Arlington Heights and for my freshman and sophomore years at Prospect HS in Mt. Prospect, IL.

AC: What made you want to cheer?

JM: I grew up dancing, so I was naturally drawn to doing something similar. A couple of friends and I ended up trying out together. We even made up a routine together.

AC: What were your favorite things about cheer?

JM: Part of it was because it was athletic-I was always very athletic, so I enjoyed that aspect. But I really liked being a part of the games. And there was also so much camaraderie among the girls on my team.

AC: Were you a base or a flyer?

JM: I was usually a flyer. I was really tiny. I didn’t grow until I was a junior in high school!

AC: Why did you stop cheering?

JM: Mostly because of the time commitment. I started to get so involved with acting, and it became clear to me that that was the direction I wanted to go with my life. It became impossible to make a commitment to all the plays I was doing and to cheerleading. I just had to make a decision.

AC: How has cheerleading helped you in your success as an actress?

JM: Cheerleading is definitely a team sport-it’s very collaborative. You really have to work with each other and figure out what works best for the whole team. And it takes discipline. All that stuff just creates a good mentality in terms of how you’re going to be able to deal with whatever career you have. Oh, and of course, performing in front of crowds helped, too!

AC: What’s the best thing about being on “House”?

JM: There are so many good things about being on the show. I feel like all of us are just pinching ourselves every day, going “Is this a reality?” I love that every day I get to grow continuously as an actor and am surrounded by other great actors that constantly make me better. It’s like once again being a part of that team mentality. I also feel really lucky because it’s a great show, the writing is incredible and people are watching.

AC: Are you ever stumped by the storylines?

JM: We have a medical advisor on the set all the time and we also have doctors who are writers and consultants, so that’s great. Sometimes when it’s three in the morning and I’ve worked for 16 hours, I’m like, “What am I saying?”

AC: What’s it like on set?

JM: We love working with each other, but it’s a fairly intense set in the sense of how much work has to be done and how complex everything is. It’s a very focused set-we’re constantly praying that we’re not going to mess up the big medical words we have to say.

AC: Dr. House tends to have no filter when it comes to dealing with his patients. Would you like to have a doctor like him in real life?

JM: Interestingly, I think I would like a doctor like him, because he’s so “cut to the chase.” There’s no dancing around with him or hoping he’s telling you the truth. I would much rather know the truth and know what I’m dealing with and know that someone is doing everything that they could to find the solution.

AC: What’s it like being practically the only girl on set?

JM: This happens to me all the time-I’m always the only girl. In Grind, I was the only girl surrounded by guys. I was also just cast in Big Spin with Rob Schneider and sat down to the table read, and there were like 30 guys around me. I don’t know how it happens, but I’ve just gotten used to it.

AC: Are you anything like the character you play?

JM: I think there’s a level of intensity in Cameron that is far beyond how I live my everyday life. I tend to be more smiley and joky and fun and silly. We are similar in the sense that Cameron really wants the best for people and is determined to work hard. We also both have a strong sense of discipline and drive.

Behind the scenes with J&N
Fun & Games: Everyone on the show is addicted to Sodoku. “At one point the puzzles were being put on the call sheets, and it was so distracting that they were banned from the set!”
Sick Patient: Jennifer’s favorite episode was the two-parter where Omar Epps’ character gets sick.
Teacher’s Pet: If she weren’t an actress, Jennifer says she would probably be a teacher. Both her parents are teachers, too!
Cry Baby: Although she doesn’t get to watch a lot of TV, she loves “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” “I cry while watching the whole thing. And then I tell people about it and cry while I’m telling them about it!” Playing House: In her spare time, Jennifer’s been fixing up the house she bought this year. She also loves to travel, hike and play tennis.

Source: jmo daily