Greg Germann plays Richard Fishman ("Fish"), the head of the law firm on Ally McBeal . Prior to this series, he co-starred on Ned and Stacey for two years as Eric, Ned's best friend. Before Ned and Stacey , he played attorney Andy Del Sarto on Sweet Justice. He also has an impressive list of theater and feature film credits. Brenda Scott Royce interviewed Greg for Viewers Voice in February. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Viewers Voice: You played a lawyer on Sweet Justice , but Fish is a totally different character, isn't he?

Greg Germann: It's a totally different character.It's also just a totally different world. That show had its own voice, and this show ... That's the terrific thing about this show actually, that the world that David has created is not like any other place on TV. It's unique.

VV : It's very unique and often bizarre. Are you ever just shocked when you read the scripts for the first time?

GG : Oh sure, just like you are, when you see them. And I think that's what actually appeals to me about David's writing. I can't predict where he's going to go. I'll pick up a script, and you might tend to think, okay this story line is going to follow X, Y, and Z, because it always does in TV. And he doesn't do it that way. He really throws curves and I love that, because it's challenging to play, and it's also fun to watch. It keeps you off balance. That's a lot of fun.

VV : What's it like working with Dyan Cannon as your love interest?

GG : When I heard Dyan Cannon was doing it, I was so thrilled. Then I thought, 'Wow, what happened to her career -- from Cary Grant to Burt Reynolds to Greg Germann. She must be so depressed! When you get in a room with her, it's like getting in the ring with a prizefighter, you know, she's good. So you have to be good too. And that's the other thing that's great about this show -- Everything from the writing to the cast, you're constantly challenged. And it makes you do your best work. And that's a gift. Because often, in this profession, you're working with people that aren't challenging you as much as you'd like to be. And that's certainly never been the case here, from the beginning. She's certainly the pinnacle of that.

VV : The show has been getting a lot of attention lately. Do you feel like you're on a hit show?

GG : I've been getting asked that a little bit now. And it only does because people keep asking me that! I'm just not in the world enough to see that. I go to Starbucks and get a coffee, and I go to work and I come home, and I have a new baby boy at home, and so that's my life.

VV : It doesn't sound like you have time to worry about the ratings.

GG : You know, I don't, and I learned in New York a long time ago that it's better for me to stay away from reviews and ratings and all that other stuff. Because I can't do anything about it. I can come to work and do the best job I can, and let the chips fall where they may. There's so much better stuff to focus on. Somebody else has to have the headache of marketing the show. That's not my job.

VV : Do you think that the networks, producers and performers value the feedback they get from the viewers?

GG : Oh absolutely! Because I've always felt like, they make this whole decision based on these Nielsen boxes. And given that, especially a network like FOX, doesn't have the same number of outlets as like NBC. So much is put on those Nielsen ratings -- the arcane Nielsen box system -- that it's not a fair way to judge, first the quality of the show, and secondly, the interest level of the show. Especially now, you've got your clicker in front of you, and who watches a show without switching around a little bit? And so, an organization like yours, that you target a show that you really love ... That to me is where the future lies. Especially with cable and all the choices that we've got. So yes, write, call! Keep those cards and letters coming!