Jennifer works with kids and animals; Wilson on the comeback; Harrison goes for comedy; goodbye from Greg

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The old Hollywood axiom is never work with animals or children. In the new drama "Marley & Me," Jennifer Aniston bravely does both. Fortunately, the Labrador dogs playing the film's title character weren't as rambunctious off the screen as they were on it.

"I would say the younger Marleys were [more difficult] to hit their mark. It was a little bit more challenging for the trainers," Aniston said to reporters a few weeks ago. But she added, "We had a ball. We never had a hard time."

Based on the best-selling book by John Grogan, "Marley" follows the ups and downs of a young couple (played by Aniston and Owen Wilson) who adopt a puppy. Playing a wife with kids was something relatively new to Aniston, but she loved that she wasn't signing up for the typical romantic comedy.

"The reason I wanted to be in this movie was exactly what you just said. It wasn't the girl trying to get the guy, or the guy trying to get the girl, or the chase, and then you end the movie where they ride off into the sunset," Aniston says. "You basically get to see the ins and outs of a relationship over 15 years, and have this human thread that takes you through, and have it be funny just because life is funny and dramatic. I just loved it."

That said, the TV spots and trailers for "Marley" aren't entirely truthful.forthcoming. The film has some funny moments, but it's not a lighthearted romp in the least. Because of the story's dramatic ending, Aniston admits she has been wary of revealing too much. She also believes that it's up to parents to decide whether the serious subject matter is appropriate for their children.

"We're telling the story that the book told, and you hope that people appreciate that story. I guess that's just something for parents to decide," Aniston says. "As an adult, sometimes you underestimate or forget kids' abilities to deal with stuff, or how much they do soak up."

Unlike her "Friends" co-stars, Aniston has carved out a successful movie career. She says she has never plotted to be successful or famous; she just wanted "to do good work."

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"Ever since I was at the High School of Performing Arts and my Russian acting coach told me I was a disgrace to the Moscow theater, I was determined to prove him wrong," Aniston said as the assembled press broke out in laughter. "I've never had my eye on a prize. I just really wanted to enjoy the passage of time. Before 'Friends' and the success of that, I had a graveyard of sitcoms, and thank God you all don't know about them. I was happy to get a job every year, whether it went on or not."

Seeing an opening, Aniston's co-star, Eric Dane from "Grey's Anatomy," quips, "Yeah, but even then, you were good. I remember watching 'Leprechaun' ..."

"Oh, my God! Look what he just did," Aniston protests.

"I thought, 'This girl is really good!' I'm not kidding," McSteamy says with a sly smile on his face.

"That's very sweet of you, Eric," Aniston retorts sarcastically. "Someone pull out his resume, please."

Jennifer, the next time Mr. Dane pulls that one on you, just remind him of his own dirty little secret: "Saved by the Bell."

'Nuff said.

"Marley & Me" opens nationwide on Dec. 25.