ANCHORS: Paula Zahn
REPORTERS: Steve Kmetko

And it's just about nine minutes before the hour right now. Sexy andsteamy are the words people are using right now about the new movie"White Palace," and a lot of that steam comes from the leading man, JamesSpader. Our Entertainment Reporter Steve Kmetko talked with Spader andfound out that his toughest role so far is that of a Hollywood star.

Steve Kmetko reporting:

(Excerpt from "White Palace" courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Kmetko: James Spader is an enigmatic actor who specializes in enigmaticroles. In "White Palace," he plays Max, a rising ad executive caught inthe depths of depression over the death of his wife. That's until the 20something Max meets the 40 something Nora, played by Susan Sarandon. Anda one-night stand turns into a once-in-a-lifetime romance.

(Excerpt from "White Palace")

James Spader: The story was something I was intrigued with, but going through that story with Susan was what compelled me to do it.

Kmetko: She had kind words for you.

Spader: I loved it. I absolutely loved it.

Kmetko: Good work experience?

Spader: Yeah, I just--I can't imagine--I can't imagine doing the filmwith anybody else.

Kmetko: Where do you find the wherewithal from within to do the kind ofscenes--love scenes required from this script?

Spader: Same exact places that I go--look through to do any other scene in the film. It's the same process. Love scenes are just logistics and geographics are extremely technical to shoot. So that comes into play in the difficulty of shooting it. How to say this carefully--everything is not where it should be when you're shooting a love scene for a film.

Kmetko: But it seems everything is where it should be in terms of Spader's career. Up until a couple of years ago, he was practically typecast in supporting roles as the quintessential evil yuppie. Then came the multidimensional lead role in "sex, lies, and videotape," which brought him the award for best actor at the Cannes Film Festival.

(Excerpt from "sex, lies, and videotape")

Kmetko: That led to the co-starring role in last year's "Bad Influence."Did the recognition take too long?

Spader: No. It seemed to be right. It seemed to be the right amount. As a matter of fact, the only thing--it could have taken a year longer or a year less--would have been nice. My son was born the same year that this all happened.

Kmetko: Do you like being a dad?

Spader: Very much. Very much.

Kmetko: What's the best part?

Spader: Waking up in the morning and having been--not had enough sleepand going over and there's this little rascal staring at you with a bigsmile on his face. And now you know why the hell you woke up.

Zahn: Next Tuesday, Steve Kmetko will be talking with Spader's co-star,Susan Sarandon. Five minutes before the hour right now. We'll be right back.

© CBS (Thank you, Susan)