In HBO’s original film, Bernard and Doris, Susan Sarandon played billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke, while Ralph Fiennes portrayed her dedicated gay butler, Bernard Lafferty. Despite a mere (and almost unheard of, given its starpower) $500K budget, Sarandon looked like a billion dollars and snagged an Emmy nomination for outstanding actress in a miniseries or movie. Fiennes received an outstanding actor nom, and another eight additional nominations were lavished upon the production. We chatted with Sarandon about the film, MTV’s Rocky Horror update and whether or not the liberal political dynamo could endure a Fox News watch-a-thon.

by Lawrence Ferber

How was working with Ralph Fiennes—and did he mince at all between takes?

I had a blast working with Ralph and it’s so great he also got a nomination. He does this fabulous character that’s so dignified, so sweet, so smart and can actually run that house. Doris gives him permission to be who he is, which starts to become more over the top—growing out his hair and the clothes become a little more flamboyant. Is that mincing? I don’t know. I love the way he holds his hands. He has so much integrity and you don’t want to be sucked into some goofy cliché that everybody is expecting.

The film is an “imagined” account of their six-year relationship/friendship, so that gave you and director Bob Balaban a lot of dramatic and narrative license. How did everyone decide which direction to go in?

We didn’t want it to be about his obsession with her, some creepy obsession that was one-sided. I really thought these people have decided they would be the witnesses to each other’s lives and he should always be there. Even when she’s dealing with her boyfriends, she looks to Bernard. They’re in on the secret of each other, and the kindness they show each other is really moving.

What are your thoughts on gay marriage?

I think so much of [the controversy over gay marriage] has to do with language. The word “marriage” does trigger things in a lot of people, and it’s a shame we can’t find a way to get around that because [it] really polarizes people. But I think separate from the legal aspects of being able to share with your partner and own a house and have rights to your kids and insurance and all that, if you ask most Americans, “Does everyone have a right to be happy?” They’ll say “yes.” I’m not married, so I’m probably the wrong person to talk to about how significant it is to be married. I’ve created a life that isn’t about a traditional marriage, but I understand why some people want that kind of a metaphor, a symbol.

You haven’t been asked to take part in MTV’s Rocky Horror remake as of yet, but what do you think of the project?

I wish them luck. “Don’t dream it, be it” is a fabulous message that speaks to a lot of people, and the music’s fun and it has a great sense of humor. I just don’t know what the angle [of a remake] would be. I’d like to have been in that pitch meeting to see how they were doing it.

You’ve done a lot to bring attention and raise money for various causes and charities. So let’s see how just far you would go: Hypothetically, would you endure a 72-hour Fox News watch-a-thon to raise money for a charity?

Oh wow. Can [I] be vaccinated first? I don’t know. But I think it is good to know what other people are being subjected to, and then you’re more forgiving and compassionate towards people who are completely confused by these mixed messages. My mom’s one of them. She watches Fox and loves Bill O’Reilly, even the things he’s done to me. She went on O’Reilly; a show dedicated to how horrible I am and he brought my mother in. She was on for two seconds, but he used her in the commercials. He said things like, “How did she get this way?” and my mom said, “I don’t know.” I thought that was really underhanded.

Watch to see if Bernard and Doris takes home Emmys. The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards will air on ABC on Sunday, Sept., 21 at 8 p.m. Bernard and Doris is currently available on DVD with extras including a featurette about the real Bernard & Doris.