Suzanne Somers muses on ‘Step by Step’ reunion, possible return to TV

TORONTO – Suzanne Somers admits her extensive and controversial anti-aging regimen can make her sound “wacko.”

But the actress-turned-entrepreneur says she’s passionate about sharing her experiences with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, convinced it can help women approaching menopause maintain their vigour and sex drive.

Somers rocketed to fame as the dim-witted Chrissy Snow on “Three’s Company,” but some four decades later she’s settled comfortably into a new role as a self-styled health guru and inadvertent lightning rod for the medical community.

“I really liked being a comedian and I really liked being a Vegas headliner,” Somers says of her sitcom origins during a recent stop in Toronto to promote her latest self-help book, “I’m Too Young For This!”

“How I became this (health advocate) seems kind of perfect to me because I love being my own experiment.”

Somers, who showed off her curves in a tight-fitting leopard print dress and high heels, says she can’t remember the last time she took a pharmaceutical drug or over-the-counter medication.

Instead, the 66-year-old relies on a cocktail of roughly 60 supplements, creams and a daily injection of human growth hormone that she says keep her feeling young, vital and cancer-free.

“Is it gaggy? Yup,” she says of choking down dozens of pills a day. “(But) I’m on the far end, because I write about this and I study this and it’s where I’ve chosen to spend my money.”

Her claims are big and have come under fire from critics who question the risks of bioidenticals.

But Somers says bioidenticals have alleviated a multitude of issues that first erupted in her 40s, from sleeplessness to mood swings to weight gain to brittle hair and nails.

Her latest book promises women can feel young and sexy if they replenish the naturally produced hormones that deplete as menopause looms.

Somers concedes she’s no scientist, but she also suspects bioidenticals could have prevented a large breast tumour she discovered at age 50.

These days, her diverse brand includes more than a dozen books, a skin care line, a hair care line and an organic makeup line. She’s also spokeswoman for an anti-radiation device for cell phones, and of course, continues to sell the ThighMaster.

But she’s open to returning to acting — if the part is right.

“I played Chrissy Snow and I don’t care to go back on television unless I can match or top her,” says Somers, who lives “a serene life” growing her own vegetables in L.A.-area homes in Palm Springs and Malibu.

“Or I’d like to go on with my own talk show. I had an Internet talk show last year and a Lifetime series of 13 specials…. I’m out there, I’m doing it, but that was health.”

She’d also jump at the opportunity for a “Step by Step” reunion, noting that talk of such a gathering erupts every now and again. The ’90s series about a blended family ended 15 years ago this year.

“There’s a lot of talk about it. Everytime it comes up I go: I’m in if you all want to pull it together!” says Somers, married to Toronto-bred former TV personality Alan Hamel.

“I loved being married to Patrick Duffy, he was my other great husband, I just had the best time,” she adds. “I’d love to see all my (TV) children, how they grew up, because I kind of lost contact with a lot of them.”