Meet ''7th Heaven'''s new rabbi, Richard Lewis | 173524__lewis_l
WHINE COOLER Lewis is clean, sober, and out of therapy
Richard Lewis: Lisa O'Connor/Zuma Press

Do you two have any plans beyond ''Curb''?
One thing I'm trying to do is to get Larry to tour with me as a stand-up comic. He's one of the best there is, but he quit because the one side of the business he couldn't stand was the audience. If someone would mix their drink or talk, he'd storm off stage. But I think a part of him still hasn’t gotten over the thrill of standing on a stage and expressing yourself that we had as young comedians. And I'm convinced that someday soon he'll give in and we'll see him sell out Madison Square Garden. The other thing I want us to do is a road movie and shoot it on digital video. We would just improvise, like we do in ''Curb.'' Of course I tell him these things, and he says, ''Stop it! I'm already working too hard!''

Unlike a lot of stars, you managed to hide your addictions well. Why write such a revealing memoir?
People have come up to me and said things like ''My son read your book and got into rehab'' and that's meant the world to me. But sure, it's exposed me, too. I was incredibly open in writing about being a sex addict, a sugar addict with a really gross eating disorder, and a substance abuser, and now people keep an eye out for me. I once said something nice, not a pick-up line or anything, to a young woman at a bar, and she said, ''You shouldn't be talking to someone like me; you've already got a nice girlfriend.'' She'd read my book. As far as the food thing [which involved bingeing on granola, ice cream and bananas] I've gotten much better about it. But since the book came out, the checkers at my grocery store will tease me a little.

Now that you're such a together guy, won't that destroy your stand-up?
Listen, I'll never have my sh-- together. The difference now is that I have the tools to have a relatively decent life. But I'm an addict, and I'm nuts, and my brain is damaged forever. And the thing is, now that I have so much clarity I have to start taking responsibility for all the rotten things I did when I was using, so I despise myself even more.

Still, you are more optimistic these days. Buying any pink T-shirts to celebrate?
You know, lately I've been experimenting with white shirts under my suits. And honestly, I feel a little better with the white shirts on. But that's it for me. I still remember walking down Central Park South one day and sensing someone following me. I was wearing a black suit with a black shirt and black high tops, but the fluff and fold had accidentally given me someone else's white sweat socks. I keep walking faster and the guy keeps walking faster. As I get close to my hotel I break into a run, and he starts chasing me. I'm reaching the door to my hotel, and this guy lunges at me and lifts up my pant leg. He grabs my sock and says, ''I KNEW you were a hoax!'' I can't even get away with wearing white socks, so I don't think it's safe for me to try colors anytime soon.


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