Cheri Oteri: Far From 'Dumb'

The new comedy "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd" is a prequel to the Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels 1994 blockbuster "Dumb and Dumber."

The film travels back to the boys' first meeting in high school, where they encounter the evil lunch-lady-turned-teacher, Ms. Heller, played by former "Saturday Night Live" star Cheri Oteri.

Oteri visited The Early Show Tuesday to discuss the new comedy.

In "Dumb and Dumberer," Carrey and Daniels are replaced by the younger Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson to play social misfits Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas in high school.

Harry and Lloyd meet for the first time in school after Harry is tricked by his mother (Mimi Rogers) into attending a mainstream high school after 17 years of home schooling.

High school principal Collins (Eugene Levy) hopes to start a phony "special needs" class to receive a $100,000 grant from the state school superintendent by using Harry and Lloyd as the catalyst for it. The principal assigns his lunch lady lover, Ms. Heller (Cheri Oteri), the responsibility of teaching the new program.

Oteri says working with comedian veteran Eugene Levy was a magnificent experience, because she was able to improvise and have fun with him. Also, she says, working with the young talents made it the most fun she has ever had on a film.

Oteri says she iworries that fans of the original "Dumb and Dumber" may be a little upset that Carrey and Daniels are not in the new movie, but she expects movie audiences to enjoy the movie and its new stars.

Some Facts About Cheri Oteri

• Cheryl A. Oteri was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 19, 1962
• In 1989, Oteri moved to L.A.
• From 1990-1994, Oteri worked as coordinator for the promotions department of A&M Records; she was a member of the Groundlings comedy troupe; first collaboration with Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan
• In 1995, Oteri joined the cast of NBC sketch comedy show "Saturday Night Live"; left at the end of the 1999-2000 season
• In 1997, Oteri played Jim Carrey's wacky receptionist in the blockbuster comedy "Liar, Liar"
• In 1999, she had featured role as the mayor in comic caper "Inspector Gadget"
• In 2000, Oteri received an Emmy nomination for her guest role on NBC's "Just Shoot Me"
• In 2000, the comedienne played the Courtney Cox character in the popular "Scream" spoof "Scary Movie"
• In 2000, appeared in the romantic comedy "Love & Sex" opposite Jon Favreau and Famke Janssen; signed development deal with CBS for her own sitcom