talk to says, ‘I don’t know where to I journalist every “’Cause Richards. laughs Complicated,” series and so much more. “That’s why I named the show crossed yoga-style. It’s time for a little pow-wow about her legs her salad, turkey a on munches Richards chandelier, a crystal and wallpaper floral green with room appealing channel’sE! the in history. anoffice, her in Upstairs Complicated, has as premiered one of the top series debuts girl’sBond former old show,reality flip-flops, says with a laugh. It’s the week after the 37-year- andsundress white long a in clad actress, the dads!” and lunch. for Sheen, Charlie ex-husband to marriage failed Sam, geous4, and daughters, Lola, 3, from her famously gor two Richards’ join to kitchen the to head canines rals the menagerie on this bright day. Soon Dad wife and the his after in moved (Richards’ mother) died from cancer last November,who cor Irv, father, actress’ The right, so I wanted to give her a good home,” Richards says.)can’t (“She walk legs. front deformed with born was who Stella, named piglet potbellied family, the six-week-old a chichouse aremore dogs, cats andthe newest member of joy.of yips airy,and the kisses in with Elsewhere shabby- air the fill dogs excitable four where suburbs, Angeles Los Richards, opening the door to her comfortable house in the 22 youlike If dogs,in!” on come june 23, 2008 “I love having a loud, chaotic house with kids and dogs dogs and kids with house chaotic loud, a having love “I Re By Brantley Bardin t A begin with you!’”

Denise Richards: It’s Richards: Denise c

says Denise Denise says lity It’s - - Photograph remarriage bility of the possi- show and her new E! troubles, tabloid on her lets loose Richards Denise by Andrew Eccles

GUTTER CREDIT TK A quick tutorial: Despite his reputa- than he did. I did movies [“Wild Things,” tion as a hooker-loving Hollywood bad “The World Is Not Enough”] and then took boy, Richards married Sheen in 2002, had time off when I had kids. I love being a their first child, Sam, in 2004, and Lola in mom, and I’m very hands-on. 2005. The following year, she filed an But Charlie opposed you in court for put- eye-popping restraining order that alleged, ting the girls on your show. Charlie is so among other hair-raising vices, Sheen’s pre- adamant about saying my girls are being dilections for gambling, porn and violence. exploited, but…well, he had Sam on his Public sympathy was firmly on Richards’ show when she was 8 months old, so side until she began dating rocker Richie his reasons aren’t consistent for how that Sambora, who was still married to Denise’s all went down. And he has a little boy on pal Heather Locklear. Overnight, Richards his show, so is he telling Angus [T. Jones’] was branded—as the intro for It’s Compli- As Bond girl mother, “You’re exploiting your kid, being cated reiterates—a “Gold digger. Husband Christmas Jones on our show”? stealer. Bitch.” The tabloids seemed to Good point. OK, so after all this, would gleefully fuel this perception of Richards The press made it you ever marry again? Oh, yeah! I’m not on a weekly basis, with a steady stream of seem that she and I bitter from this. I know I’ll find the right put-downs and brutal name-calling, while one. Dammit. But when I do I will never the actress remained mostly mum. were having dinner on get divorced. I’m done. [Laughs] Everyone Until now. “The gloves are off,” says asks, “How could you have married Char- Richards. “When I keep my mouth shut, Friday and I was screw- lie [knowing about] his past?” But, truly, [Charlie] continues to fuel [the feud] any- ing her husband on that is not the man I met—and we [ended way, so I’m not gonna sit back anymore.” up] being so different, there was no way Not that she has much choice in the mat- Sunday, and that’s not in hell it would have worked. But I love ter: On the press tour the week before the the case. Heather knows men. I’ve never ended badly with some- series’ debut, she’d seemingly been blind- one except my ex-husband. sided live on both Larry King Live and the that I did not ‘steal’ Describe your dream guy. Someone who Today show with a new, humiliating, suspi- Richie. She knows it” loves kids and animals, someone who loves ciously delivered e-mail—which Richards to have fun, someone who’s honest and swears is doctored—alleging that she’d who’s got a lot of integrity. requested her ex’s sperm for another child. Explain the animal thing—you’re like the As Richards sits calmly, surrounded by Angelina Jolie of animal adoption! [Laughs] silver-framed pictures of her daughters, her Animal Listen, I’m from Illinois. I grew up around house: thick mass of blond hair pulled back chicly Richards in farms and ever since I was little, I just had with a headband, this seems as good as any her yard a thing for animals. I brought home strays place to, well, begin. when I was in school and volunteered at an My, my—what a crazy press tour you’ve wedding! Come on. His ego is so big that know—a nanny comes and gets the girls. animal shelter. My mom was the same just had! I’ve been through the wringer with he thinks E! would honestly be, like [con- But, of course, they love their dad. I imag- way—she wanted to open a kennel. the press—perhaps you’ve heard about it? spiratorially], “Yeah, let’s premiere the ine as they get older this is gonna be very I’m so sorry about her death. Thank you…. [Laughs] Like, I’m on Larry King and I hear show right around his wedding”? Please. difficult for them, though. I mean, parents [Pause] It’s very hard. Nothing prepares you Richards and Sheen in happier times (above, through Larry’s earpiece that Charlie’s pub- Did your kids go to the nuptials? They that don’t communicate? I want my girls to left), and with Sambora post-split. The actress for that. My mom was only 54. And she licist called, telling the producers to get did—they were told they were going to be see that, even though Mommy and Daddy and daughters Sam and Lola (left), at the went fast, but it was a very painful death. Larry to ask me about that e-mail. I’m like, flower girls. But then Charlie changed his are divorced, I can still talk to their dad. A Time for Heroes benefit carnival on June 8 I’m just starting to feel like myself again. “Damn, are [Charlie and his people] in the mind. Actually, Charlie and Brooke got And I wanted to go to a mediator, but [he So what do you ultimately hope to achieve building?!” It’s like, I’m here to promote a the girls little necklaces for the wedding, declined]. I don’t know why he can’t push divorce, and then Richie and I got together was screwing her husband on Sunday, and with It’s Complicated? Whether people reality show, but it’s turned into the Denise- but when they came home I was told by this s--- aside and focus on the kids. after that. I was vulnerable, sad and con- that’s not the case. Heather knows that I like it or not, I’m being very open on the and-Charlie media circus all over again. the nanny they had to give them back. Which reminds me: One of the things on fused. And, especially when you’re a did not “steal” Richie. She knows it. show. So I hope people will appreciate And then he sends a text message saying, I said, “But aren’t they a gift?” The nanny your show that upsets some folks is that celebrity and going through something You’ve also been branded a gold digger, and my honesty. Even if they have a percep- “Quit talking about me on your inter- said, “They are, but they can only wear you curse like a sailor. But I absolutely do publicly, you trust very few people. I trusted just recently there was an item that said you tion of me that’s negative, I hope they’ll views.” OK, then, quit releasing statements them at his house.” I said, “Have him call not swear in front of my kids ever, ever, Richie. And my kids and parents adored were just about to collect a $40 million appreciate how blunt and candid I am. on live TV, Charlie. In all those TV inter- his lawyer then, ’cause I’m not gonna tell ever. I know it’s not classy, but…well, I him, and he truly brought a lot of love and divorce settlement from Charlie. There is And I also want them to see that I have views I’d sat down and said, “I am not here a 3- and a 4-year-old, ‘You have to give don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs. happiness to my house. So it happened no settlement. I do not have $40 million— two healthy, gorgeous girls and an amaz- to bash Charlie,” but at a certain point I back the necklaces Daddy gave you and [Laughs] I just swear. and I do not regret it. But I knew that in the that was the first time I was even hearing of ing dad—that despite all the problems, have to defend myself. [Sighs] But I can’t only wear them at Daddy’s house.’ ” OK. And some people think you’re a hus- public’s eye—because Heather is America’s getting $40 million. [Mischievously] But I I have a blessed life. change Charlie. He is who he is, says what [Pause] Now, I know this sounds f---ing band stealer. What’s your reaction? Any- TV sweetheart—it wasn’t gonna go over did call my lawyer and say, “Hey, we now And a very interesting one. [Grins] You he says. I hope [that by] getting married crazy—and it is. But this is what I deal one that’s been through a divorce knows it well. I thought at the time that not saying have it in writing that I’m getting $40 mil- have no idea what I’ve been through. The now, he can move on. with. I never thought I’d be in this posi- doesn’t happen overnight. The timeline anything [publicly] would be for the best. In lion!” [Laughs] But, joking aside, I’m public doesn’t know half of it! Yes, he wed Brooke Mueller the very week tion, but truthfully I’m used to it now. was that Charlie and I ended, then my hindsight, I wish I hadn’t handled it that definitely not a gold digger. I’ve worked DENISE RICHARDS: It’s COMPLICATED, your show debuted…. And then says I Do you think he’s a good dad? I’m not friendship with Heather—which wasn’t a way. Because the press made it seem that she my ass off my whole life. When Charlie Sundays, 10/9c, E! planned my frickin’ show around his with him when he’s with the kids, so I don’t long friendship—ended, then she filed for and I were having dinner on Friday and I and I got together, I made more money (also online via video.tvguide.com)

24 june 23, 2008 TV GUIDE 25