Melissa Leo: Playing comedy club owner inI'm Dying Up Hereis a 'great honor'

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Shes fascinated by funny thats who Goldie is.

Im not playing her, says Leo.

Its a great honor to play Goldie, it really is.

In the pilot, Leos character comes across as part den mother, part hard-nosed businesswoman.

But the actress balks when your writer describes Herschlag as harsh but fair.

Everyones going to judge [her] with some kind of word like harsh,' says Leo.

Or maybe a harsher work like bitch.

I dont mean to be hard onyou, she continues.

Its just hard being a lady in this world!

So, which of Leos fellow cast members makeherlaugh the most?

Oh, you really want to get me in trouble, dont you?

says the actress, laughing.

I couldnt answer that question.

One person who says she isnt capable of being all that funny, at least on purpose?

Im not a joke teller, says the actress.

Im overly serious and sometimesthatcan be really funny!

Im Dying Up Heredebuts Sunday at 10 p.m. Watch the premiere, available on YouTube, above.