Actress Christina Applegate matures into leading roles

LOS ANGELES -- Christina Applegate has matured from a TV sitcom floozie -- playing airhead Kelly Bundy on Fox's "Married ... With Children" for 11 seasons -- to trusty chick-flick sidekick.

"I think I've done a pretty good job of getting away from her. I'm proud of that," the 31-year-old actress said. "She was such an asset to my life, and I appreciate her."

Last year, Applegate played Cameron Diaz's best friend in "The Sweetest Thing." In the new comedy "View From the Top," she and Gwyneth Paltrow are a pair of friends who dream of finding success as trans-Atlantic flight attendants.

"View From the Top" had been set for release in 2001, but was delayed after terrorist attacks.

Applegate who got her breakthrough role on "Married ... With Children" in 1987 is now taking on leading-lady duties alongside Ben Affleck in "Surviving Christmas," playing an anti-Kelly sort of role.

How did the filmmakers handle the delay of "View From the Top"?

Applegate: We did a lot of additional scenes, they added a lot to Gwyneth's story line. ... They added more of the romance, which actually was an asset to the film, I believe.

Are you comfortable in sidekick roles?

Applegate: Yeah, man, less pressure. (laughs) ... I just lost a job that I really wanted. It would have been for another sidekicky kind of role, very much a character -- and the director said, 'I want her to do more leading lady stuff.' ... So I lost a job. It was kind of a backhanded compliment -- unless he was just saying that.

Are you interested in more dramatic roles?

Applegate: Absolutely. Actually, the films I'm waiting to hear if they're going to go my way are all dramas. I don't have any comedies in the works right now. ... I love the darkness. I'm a dark creature and I don't think I could be funny if I didn't have that.