Ellen gets a mention in this article...
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-01-15-sfu-preview_x.htm

Change afoot on 'Six Feet Under'

Posted 1/15/2004 9:16 PM

William Keck, USA TODAY

When Six Feet Under returns to HBO on June 6, the Fisher clan will be thrown into "life-altering experiences and sexual experimentation," promises executive producer Alan Poul. "Our intention is to return to the lighter, unpredictable tone of the first two seasons."

Rachel Griffith's Brenda will have two suitors this season: her neighbor (Justin Theroux) and Peter Krause's widower, Nate. By Evan Agostini, Getty Images

Expect familiar faces in guest roles:

• Mena Suvari, who worked with show creator Alan Ball in the movie American Beauty, joins the cast in the second episode as an art-school friend of Claire (Lauren Ambrose). "Mena's character is a provocative performance artist and a strong feminist who doesn't care what anyone thinks," Poul says.

• Ben Foster returns as Claire's bisexual boyfriend, Russell.

• Claire's former boyfriend Gabriel (Eric Balfour) may not be as dead as viewers were led to believe, though this is unconfirmed by the producers.

•Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle bad guy Justin Theroux returns as musician Joe, who will strike up a serious romance with Brenda (Rachel Griffiths). Poul says to expect a love triangle with Nate (Peter Krause) as the season evolves.

Poul says David (Michael C. Hall) and Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) will try to save their rocky relationship by pursuing separate life paths. For Keith, that means bodyguarding a Britney Spears-type pop princess, played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Michelle Trachtenberg. In the third episode, the pop star makes a "guest appearance" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, with DeGeneres playing herself.

Ruth Fisher (Frances Conroy) will face a more complicated life with the return of sister Sarah (Patricia Clarkson) and mischievous friend Bettina (Kathy Bates). She also will have to deal with new husband George (James Cromwell). She will "realize she might not know this man as well as she thought she did," Poul says.

As for the imaginative opening deaths, Poul says one will involve an interaction with a sex toy.

This article © 2004 USA Today, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
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