Oprah Talks to Geena Davis

Oprah: You're approaching 50—and let me tell you, it's glorious, girl. Have you set another goal, like you did for 2000?

Geena: I haven't. Maybe I should think about it. I'm just so absorbed by women's issues. That's why I started a project called See Jane. The goal is to increase the percentage of female characters children see in the media.

Oprah: How are you raising your daughter so that she'll have the self—esteem you didn't have as a girl?

Geena: One incredibly important thing is having the parent model it. I don't censor everything my daughter sees; that princess stuff just comes like a fog under the door—you can't keep it out. But I can talk with her about what I like and don't like. I can watch television with her. I can let her know that I respect her as a person by the way I talk with her.

Oprah: It's always about validating. When Commander in Chief was called the number one new show of the season, did you absorb that?

Geena: Yes. I wasn't like, "Holy shit!" but I am pleased. I've been working too hard to think too much about it all.

Oprah: Don't you have to shoot for eight days to get one hour of programming?

Geena: Yes, but not eight days in a row. I'm not going to complain that it's a lot of work because I asked for it.

Oprah: Today you've given me two hours for this interview. What will you go home and do now?

Geena: Play with the kids and put them to bed.

Oprah: So many big—screen actresses would never take a role on TV.

Geena: I think that's changed a lot over the years. Some of the best writing around now is on TV. I would have done this part in dinner theater—I just like being president.