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Network television can dump a Black dramatic series quicker than you can say the word next. But UPN, often faulted for promoting excessive clowning, fills the void left by Soul Food with its new show Kevin Hill. Taye Diggs, in all his chocolate intensity, is superbly cast in the title role a shrewd lawyer whose nights are one long panty raid until a cousin dies and he gets tapped to rear the 10-month-old baby who's left behind. If the pilot is a true measure of the series, Diggs, 34, has a winner. Raised in Rochester, New York, and trained in musical theater, Diggs was just waking up from a nap when we got him on the phone to talk about his jump into TV Land, the way he supports his wife's success on Broadway, and his love of dance.

ESSENCE: You've been successful on the big screen. What made you want to do a TV series?

Diggs: Mostly the writing. And a man and a baby setup is always fun. Then there's the relationship between my character and the gay nanny, and the clashes between my character and the three women he's forced to work with when he has to change jobs. I thought it was all very entertaining.

ESSENCE: You're married and the role of Daddy is no doubt in your future. What are you learning about fatherhood from the show?

Diggs: I haven't learned much from the show yet. But as the eldest of five children, I did my share of babysitting and changing diapers. My father raised us with a strong belief system and standards. I'd like to pass those on.

ESSENCE: Your wife, Idina Menzel, just won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical Wicked. Does competition ever rear its ugly head between you two?

Diggs: It doesn't. I realized early on that I would be fine as long as I had something to do, even if my wife surpassed me monetarily or in popularity. She makes me so proud whenever she succeeds that I can't even pretend to let that competition nonsense get in the way.

ESSENCE: If you weren't acting, what would you be doing?

Diggs: Teaching dance. I started in musical theater with a strong background in dance. Next to theater, dance is the art form I'm most passionate about. I love to dance. I love it, I love it, I love it. I always find time to do it; I'll always hit a spot that has good music. When I go out, I like to go hard--dancing all night--especially when I'm not working.

ESSENCE: What do you have more of--sneakers or tattoos?

Diggs: Sneakers. I have maybe 50 pairs. I like the old-school stuff: Adidas, Nike, Converse, PRO-Keds ... The tattoo count is six. I have to figure out when and where I'm going to get more.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Essence Communications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group

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