by Ted Casablanca

A barely buttoned blouse covers one of Cybill Shepherd's most splendid assets--her heart. Admittedly, it pumps both hot and cold, but at least it's right out there on her designer sleeve, for all to endure and enjoy.

I've heard stories of a scorching Shepherd, but today I find her likably spicy, rambunctious and warm. But what's not to like about a voluptuous blonde who's discreetly--and alluringly--coifed up as the TV diva she very much enjoys being?

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Although harried with a plethora of early-season tasks for Cybill, the four-time Emmy nom takes time to be charming. She even stoops to calling me "cute." (The gal ain't no dummy at this PR thang.) Then she lures me in with hot hoochy-koochy talk. I should warn you: Sex is a subject of which C.S. never tires. Madonna wishes she had this woman's stamina.

Yet the 47-year-old mother of three is just as comfortable discussing the (unsung) sociopolitical dynamic of her CBS show, which itself is an apparent escape for women--and men--coasting through an uncertain middle age.

Fortunately, Shepherd coasts with élan. Her dyed locks are exquisite and natural looking. She name-drops terribly but only with the best of Tinseltown monikers. She's earned the right. Her résumé may be spotty--moments of brilliance like Moonlighting and her screen debut in The Last Picture Show are balanced out by forgettable TV movies--but Cybill has toiled with the likes of De Niro, Scorsese and Bogdanovich.

In fact, the former beauty queen and Bogdanovich worked together for many years in what Shepherd considers her most successful relationship to date. The reason? No marriage license.

So, is she man-less at the moment? That's about as likely as Shepherd pulling a Liz and letting her hair go white. Bald, maybe, but never gray.

the interview