Callie Thorne: 'Rescue Me' Is Cockamamie Brilliant This Season!

After taking 2008 off, the FX series "Rescue Me" returns for what can only be adequately described as an irresistible fifth season. Along with it, comes the strikingly hot and equally wacky Callie Thorne as everyone's favorite basket case Sheila.

Premiering tonight at 9 pm, "Rescue Me" is bringing us not one, but two seasons back to back! Yep, 22 episodes chock filled with new storylines that include musical numbers and massive guest stars -- Maura Tierney as a woman who's really into firefighters and Michael J. Fox as Janet Gavin's new boyfriend. Obviously the writers are using these eps as an apology for the long wait.

As for Callie Thorne's Sheila, she reenters the infamous Tommy/Janet/Sheila love triangle that appears to be full steam ahead once again. I yapped with her about the twists and turns of the new season, her love for all things comedy, and the slight chance that she and gal pal Amy Sedaris may bring us a buddy comedy -- in a daycare ... as Sheila and Jerry Blank.

PopWrap: So first off, season five of "Rescue Me" starts soon. What should we expect?
Callie Thorne: The fifth season will far surpass any season so far. It's so cockamamie brilliant! I mean it's no regular season. It's almost been two years since we haven't been on air, but that's OK because it's gonna be so worth it. It's such a rich, hysterical and tragic season.

PW: I want to use the word whack-job to describe Sheila, but she is too smart to be called that. How do you achieve playing a character who is on the borderline of crazy and brilliant?
Callie: Wow, well first off thank you very much! I guess It has so much to do with the way they write her -- the writers are beyond amazing. Our creators know us so well as actors so they know what we can do and the fact that Dennis Leary is a producer, writer and an actor, he ties everything together so well. This show has written the best character I have ever gotten to play in my life

PW: Ohhh! Tell me about Michael J. Fox. He's on the show as Tommy's ex wife's love interest right?
Callie: We have no scenes together, and I made a big stink about it. ... I was a cranky Callie. It is definitely something out of Micheal's box, nothing his fans have seen before.

PW: Give me two words, hints if you will, about his storyline.
Callie: So many words can get me fired! [laughs] Let's see, OK, here you go -- 'cantankerous' and 'alcohol.'

PW: What about the musical numbers I'm hearing about this season?
Callie: Oh it's fantastical. I asked them to put Sheila in a scene and oddly enough, there was a moment they wrote for me! I got to shoot it, but it didn't make it in!

PW: Are you a bad dancer or singer?
Callie: Oh my god, I didn't even think of that! Wow! You're probably right! But, it could be my calling card for "Dancing With the Stars"!

PW: OK, Have you seen the Youtube video called "Callie Smoking," which is basically Sheila in smoking scenes?
Callie: What!! Amazing! I actually just quit smoking in November. That's hilarious. Sheila stops smoking on the show too, but we don't make it a big deal. What happens in the second half of season five is so extraordinary with Sheila, I mean she's not having a baby, but its big."

PW: Speaking of Youtube videos, will you please do more "Wainey Days" skits with David Wain?
Callie: I lovvvveee David! That was such a fun experience, I have never laughed that hard. Have you seen "Robin's Big Date" with Justin Long? It's just as funny. Those two videos are highlights of my acting career!

PW: Wait, that reminds me -- talk about your connection to "Strangers with Candy" and Amy Sedaris?
Callie: I was on the TV show as a nurse. It's brilliant, and I came and shot some stuff for the movie which unfortunately got cut out!

PW: Can't you just do a movie with Amy Sedaris, please!
Callie: Actually that's on my list, to do a project with her. We met when we did a play called "The Country Club," and we talked about wanting to do something again just me and her. She's like the busiest friend I have, and is always in demand, but if she makes another show I would blackmail her to be on the show.

PW: Maybe a "Rescue Me" Sheila cross over?
Callie: I'm gonna pitch that to her! Sheila and Jerry Blank run a daycare! Yes!!!

"Rescue Me" premieres tonight at 9 pm on FX

Photos: FX