SoapCity_Michael says, Hi, deidre will be with us in two minutes she just landed from a trip to West Palm Beach she is in her limo heading home to chat with everyone

Deidre: Good evening, everybody. How nice to have you all join me!

Deidre: The boys and I have just flown in from a vacation with my family in Florida, so you'll find us a little worse for wear, but glad to be with you.

Deidre_Hall_Rules asks: Do you read stories that your fans send you?

Deidre: Over the years, a number of fans have sent me storyline ideas, some even in depth and including actual dialogue. The problem is, if I read them or pass them on to my executive staff, and they are used, we end up facing a copyright issue. So fun as it would be to hear them all or read them all, I've had to resist.

Cruise15 asks: do you think that they will ever bring back the memories of marlen beng possesd..or the storyline?

Deidre: Marlena's possession is a great source of ad libbed material during rehearsals. And I hope we have not heard the last of it!

Jason628 asks: I wonder if deidre would ever do another prime time show like Our House

Deidre: "Our House" is being picked up in re-runs by a brand new network in August, so you'll be able to see it again. But as far as taking on the rigors of a nighttime schedule, it would be impossible and unthinkable with small children.

JanBan98 asks: What has been your greatest accomplishment as an actress?

Deidre: Longevity.

Fembot650 asks: Is it ture that they are going to break up John and Marlena in favor of a John and Hope pairing....

Deidre: Heavens, I hope not! I know the rumors are flying. But I've heard nothing from any official source. ...I'm watching as closely as you are.

Moeschl asks: what type of music do you listen to?

Deidre: Rock 'n' roll or country.

Nanobaybee asks: Ms. Hall, what was one of your favorite story lines.?

Deidre: I love the possession story for its sheer audacity, and element of surprise. I also loved working with my twin sister Andrea on the Samantha Evans story.

Mcaar asks: Is there any truth to the news I heard that Marlena may develop cancer?

Deidre: I've heard nothing of that rumor, and it doesn't sound like my writers.

Quincy26 asks: Deidre how do u stay so young?Hi

Deidre: I've got two preschoolers. And thank you!

Jonf_26554 asks: Will NBC be keeping Days on, or will it be going to another network?

Deidre: I'm reading the same articles that you are, but there's no official word on any of that yet.

Moooonchild asks: on the show you are usually pretty serious. are you like that in real life or do you have more fun???

Deidre: My life is full and funny all the time. If nothing else, my boys keep me laughing.

Colonel_X98 asks: Deidre, did you keep the Electra Woman costume?

Deidre: You know what? Those stingy Kroftts wouldn't let me have one! We had three, and they wouldn't even give me one! I even had to buy my own lunchbox.

Daft_Punk_Kid asks: Deidre, How do you deal with "Tabloid Magazines"?

Deidre: If you mean how do I deal with seeing my name and pictures and my family's names and pictures up there carrying ridiculous stories, then no better than anybody else would.

Deidre: Why, just last month, someone wrote a long article describing the expected birth of my third child. I called my husband at home and said, "Oh, honey, you were trying to surprise me!" Obviously, not a breath of it was true, but we had a good laugh over it.

Isd2001 asks: Have you ever work with any Deaf actors before?

Deidre: No, but my sister taught the deaf and is a fluent signer.

Speilberg2 asks: I love your show. I have been watching since was 8 (now 10) and am in film school. I would like to direct. Do you h any advise for future members of the entertinment industry?

Deidre: I make a habit of never giving advice, but I would certainly suggest you start by wanting it more than anything else in the world.

Miss_Thang911 asks: I know that Marlena and Sami don't have a great mother daughter relationship ,but why doesn't Marlena spend more time with her grandson Will

Deidre: The twins that play Will are adorable and I would love to spend more time on the set with them. I also miss my own little twins desperately. (Belle)

Mcaar asks: You and Eileen Davidson were such great adversaries..did you enjoy that storyline and is she missed?

Deidre: I loved every moment of working with Eileen. I and the rest of the cast feel her absence very deeply. We are, however, getting out of work earlier, and that eases up on our loss.

Golfaholic70 asks: Is stefano in love with you or is he in love with Vivan?

Deidre: Me!

guest_29b99682 asks: Any other projects, movies, or specials on the horizon?

Deidre: As it happens, I'm going on QVC July 26 for a program called "Christmas in July." I'm making available six unique Christmas ornaments, one of which is a miniature television set that plays my reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It's a digital recording, and sounds exactly like it did when I read it in the sound booth. This is also available through my fan club.

Nanobaybee asks: Ms. Hall, I loved "Wise Guy" I loved it when you were on it, how was it working with Ken Wahl?

Deidre: I didn't work with Ken very often. The week that I joined the show, he had been on vacation for two weeks already. but I was very touched to witness his return and see him go from crew member to crew member, shake each hand, and ask how they were.

Angie_Christie asks: I have noticed "Marlena" has had less air time than usual. Does this have anything to do with the specifics of your new contract?

Deidre: No, I was told ages ago that I would be light in the summertime. They're making room for my yummy son Eric and the Carrie-Mike storyline, and other hot points you'll look forward to seeing.

Selenas_number_one_fan_ asks: DO YOU HAVE A FAN CLUB AND IF SO HOW DO YOU GET INVOLED

Deidre: Fans can join the club by asking for an application to Deidre Hall Fan Club, PO Box 6026-109, Sherman Oaks CA 91413.

Konann asks: Do you wear your own jewlerry on DOOL?

Deidre: I do every day because John's engagement ring is actually my birthday present from last year. From my oh-so-real husband.

Salem_girl_Kim21 asks: I heard that Stefano has something big planed for Marlena next month. What is it?

Deidre: I see rumblings of the same thing in the dialogue. Last week he was talking to himself again, but I heard him say "It is not me that will come between you and John, but something much bigger."

Djfeld01 asks: How do you like working with Jensen Ackles?

Deidre: He's my dream 19-year-old. My sons both adore him, and I couldn't be more proud if they were to grow up to be very much like him. He is bright, sensitive, talented, considerate, honorable, gracious, and kind. And I could go on!

Cofdrocks asks: Did you watch DAYS at all during your five-year absence? If so, what did you like and dislike about the show at that time?

Deidre: No, I don't watch when I'm on, and I didn't watch when I was off.

Marlena4ever asks: on a scale from 1-10 how well does john kiss?

Deidre: You'll have to ask his wife. He kisses her for real! But what my son calls "those pretend kisses" aren't half bad.

MarlnaBlck asks: Do you ever get online and "surf?" If so, do you ever go to any "Days" sites?

Deidre: No, I've just begun taking computer classes myself, and I'm sure would feel overwhelmed jumping into such deep, dark waters.

Regan_1 asks: Will John and Marlena see a wedding in the near future? The faithful fans have been waiting forever!!!

Deidre: I hear we have a wedding coming up this summer, but so far nobody's been showing me bridal magazines.

Sweetcheeks22 asks: Out of former characters on DOOL, who do you miss the most?

Deidre: No question -- there are several. First of all, my twin sister; secondly my close, personal friend Wayne Northrup; and thirdly my crazy screwball friend Eugene, played by John DeLancie.

Carrie_Horton asks: How much of yourself do you bring to your role as Dr. Marlana Evans

Deidre: I'd like to think that I bring all of myself that is necessary to play her.

Pooky_m asks: where were you when this whole Mason Blanche situation erupted 4 years ago?

Deidre: I have no idea!

LisaD7 asks: Why don't you watch your own show??

Deidre: I was there when it was being taped. So I already know what went on in front of and behind the cameras.

RebelJane asks: What would you like to see happen with your character?

Deidre: The writers have always been more imaginative and more daring than I would be, so I leave that to them.

DeeDayz asks: Dee - How do you make yourself cry on command? That is such a talent!

Deidre: I don't actually cry by design. I try to stay in the scene, let whatever emotion erupts happen spontaneously.

Bethanni asks: I just wanted to say that I have idolized you since I was young. How hard is it managing your acting life with your family life?

Deidre: Thank you! The day my son was born, my priorities set and locked in a brand-new place. So it's easy to know what is right. There is never a question.

MsOctupus asks: Deidre, have you ever disagreed with a story line?

Deidre: None that I can think of.

Fembot650 asks: Can you give us a hint about what's coming up at the Charleston Event???

Deidre: The Charleston event will be very similar to the luncheon we hold in Los Angeles, but somehow when it's out of town, people are more spontaneous, I'm more revelatory. It's just a little wilder.

Deidre: In Los Angeles, I gave away six outfits from Marlena's closet. One was a short black beaded gown that I had worn to dinner with Roman when John arrived. Claire Smith, who is in her 80s, happened to win it, jumped up on stage, and put it on over her pantsuit.

Deidre: Such occurrences are things we've come to expect from these fun and fabulous fans.

Jcian asks: How is Francis Reed ? She is looking so frail - but so on the ball - mentally - Who will take over when she retires as Matriach - Peggy Shaw?

Deidre: Frances is neither frail physically nor mentally. She uses a cane to get around, but not much else slows her down. I think she'll be around for a long time.

DeeDayz asks: Dee - Any chance that you'll be moving your East coast breaks more to the North? It's hard to get to Charleston from Erie PA. I would really love to go sometime!

Deidre: It's always a possibility.

luna_47431_1998 asks: I heard they were going to try to put "Days" on pay per view? Is that true?

Deidre: I heard the same rumor, and I don't know where it stands. Would anybody be interested? I'd be curious to hear.

Dcm313 asks: Do you enjoy meeting your fans?

Deidre: It's always fun to get off a soundstage and go in person to the people who enjoy the show. It's part of what I love about these luncheons.

Softballgirl99 asks: Do the writers let you have your input on the scripts?

Deidre: I'm sure they would if I cared to, but they've always done a fine job and I've never bothered.

Clsammons asks: Deidre, do you ever take the time to answer any of your fan mail?

Deidre: It would be an impossible task at this point in my life, but I do have people that I trust read every letter and ones of special interest or concern are given to me personally.

SoapCity_Justin: Everyone -- hold your questions. Deidre had to go into her house (she was on a cellphone) and will be back online in a minute

SoapCity_Justin: Deidre's answering as many questions as she can.

Amy_louise asks: Why doesn't Marlena have any adventures coming up? Why John and Hope? I want to see Marlena off doing exciting stuff

Deidre: All I can tell you at the moment is that my last scene had me telling John that I would join him in Europe as soon as I could. I don't think they planned on us being apart very often or very long.

AUBURNCURLYLOCKS asks: Will Marlena stop Sami and Franco from marrying?

Deidre: You know, I would tell you if I knew. I just don't know!

Calicia_DaysJMFan asks: Tell Dee.. Days is on Direct TV and I have it. Bought it just to watch days..its great

Deidre: How cute! I'm glad you watch it, however you get it!

Sagehen7 asks: Is there much of a sense of competition between soaps?

Deidre: I've never felt a sense of competition with any other actors or any other shows. I know the networks are concerned about ratings because it so profoundly affects the cost of the commercials. I think I can speak for most people in daytime in saying we're all glad to be working, and especially glad if we're on a hit show.

LadyBlackKnights asks: Your show has won awards the past 13 or 14 years. How do you do it???? Please answer my questions. Excuse me, SoapCity, are you getting any of my questions, dammit??? This is not fair, Mrs. Hall isn't answering any of my questions.

Deidre: Anybody in a position to know will tell you the Days fans have always been the most ardent, the most loyal, and the most vocal. They follow the show, they buy the magazines, and they vote.

Annabellemay asks: MARLENA do you like working with the crew of DAYS OF OUR LIVE

Deidre: It takes a lot of people to put a show together, and when I arrive in the morning there is always some member of my crew that says "good morning." And no matter how late I leave, there's someone still there to say goodnight. They are talented, and extremely hard-working, and I adore them.

Dvintexas asks: The character of Marlena has always had such a high moral standard. How do you feel about her fall from grace by having the affair with John. Was it a relief to finally have her do something so out of character?

Deidre: This is a question that a lot of us posed before the Titan conference room scene or the famous airplane scene, and Jim Roddy was persuaded that since she had always loved John, it was a moment of weakness created by a deep and abiding love which had never changed. The audience seemed to agree. I was holding my breath, and I'm glad he was right.

BlueEyedPoohBear asks: The clothes that you get to wear on the set are so pretty. Do you have any choice in them?

Deidre: Richard Bloore designs all the outfits worn on the show (by that I mean he selects different outfits, brings them in for the actors' approval, and puts together outfits that work in a theme). He must take all the credit. But I'll tell him I'm glad you liked my clothes!

DeeDayz asks: Dee - did you know that there has been a recent online petition to keep John and Marlena together? It came to a total of 350 pages, so I heard. People love John and Marlena together and we love you!

Deidre: You're so sweet! I'm glad you love that couple. It is a big part of what makes those scenes so much fun to play.

MindyJames asks: Derdre, I've been asking you at least 20 times now, Do you want Marlena to end up with Roman, or John!!!!!!!!!

Deidre: There's only one man for Marlena, as far as I'm concerned--and it's John. She's said so so many times, and I think you can see it when she looks at him.

Shellymac_59 asks: Does it bother you that the current Roman is actually Chris Kosichek in disguise?

Deidre: It was very tough in the beginning to play scenes pretending that he was Roman, but Josh has worked long and hard to make "Roman" his own, and I think he's done a fine job. It still feels odd to call him "Roman," but it doesn't feel odd to work with him again.

Lizardking7_9 asks: DEIDRE please answer this--"Out of all the character you have played or parts you have done.....which one have you liked the best????????"

Deidre: I love playing Marlena, which is what makes it possible to do for so many years. I like her growth, I like her level of integrity, I like her emotionality. I also loved playing Jessie Witherspoon from "Our House." She was the mom I wanted to be and was trying so hard during those years.

Ulricah asks: Will you and wayne ever work together again? you two had that aura around you

Deidre: Wayne and I are still close friends, and I would love to work with him again. The characters wouldn't matter, it would just be so much fun to be on stage with him again.

RochGirl asks: Deidra, do you garden, cook, and enjoy what life has to offer? I am sure you do, but what is your favorite past time?

Deidre: This afternoon, I sat on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean and built sand castles for two and a half hours. Life doesn't get much better than that.

MercAqua asks: Deidre, what was the most difficult episode you ever had to tape, emotionally?

Deidre: When Stefano was holding me captive in the gilded cage, I had to write a letter to Belle that she would read in the event of my death, and the letter was very short, as was the show, and my producer asked me to ad-lib a longer letter. I couldn't help but think of my own children and it became a far more difficult task than I could have imagined just to get through.

DeeDayz asks: Dee - What has been your favorite TV movie to do? I personally loved Quinn in Woman on a Ledge!

Deidre: I haven't actually done movies that I didn't enjoy, so it's hard to choose one that would have been a favorite, but I really liked Quinn's clothes!

Cutes36 asks: what is the most touching gift a fan has ever given you

Deidre: There have been so many gifts that pertain to my children, and I'm always touched to receive them. But several years ago, right after David's birth, a woman sent me a picture frame containing a picture of David and I together from People magazine. On top of the silver frame was written, "David Atticus Sohmer," and underneath it was written "Worth the wait." It kills me every time I see it. It is now what I tell friends who are having a difficult time conceiving.

Fitzhughe asks: Deidre, why has no one in Salem figured out that Aremid backwards is Dimera?

Deidre: Beats me! I can tell you that we have a Salem police department, that should be one obvious explanation!

Deidre: I think women are great at reading backwards and upside down, it's just a talent we need to have for survival reasons, and I'm surprised that a woman hasn't figured it out yet. Just last week my daughter Carrie figured out the woman involved with Mike had a rental car that she must have gotten some place, and helped unravel the mystery.

LadyBlackKnights asks: Out of the people on the show, who would you say is your best friend?

Deidre: Jamie Lyn Bauer is a close friend of mine. She's my hero. She's taught me a lot about being a parent and about having the courage to stand up for your kids, and just how to keep on going when things seem kind of tough.

Deidre: She's a treasure.

XfilesShipper asks: What character on the soap do you think is the most underused, and should be given more of a story?

Deidre: Gee, I don't know! Jamie Lyn Bauer, there you go!

Deidre_Hall_Fan asks: Deidre you have been my role model for years and I adore you. What is it like knowing so many people look up to you as a role model?

Deidre: I'm relieved to know that it's Marlena that people are looking up to. We can create and design her so she is a more deserving role model. I think we're all just doing the best we can in the world, and we need more role models.

CadenRose asks: I have seen you on several shows talking about the wonderful positive results that you had with Robin, I was wondering have you ever thought over writing a book on the road that led you to consider surrogacy?

Deidre: ABC allowed me to produce a film called "Never say Never" that chronicled my struggle with infertility, and I think we hit all the bases in that.

Deidre: Playing myself was the easiest and the hardest thing I've ever done. I executive produced the film, my husband wrote it, and I starred. And after an especially difficult day of filming, I came home and I was exhausted and I was frustrated, and concerned about the way things had gone that day, and my husband said to me, "you must stand up and demand that things be done properly, because nobody will ever care as much as you do. And in 5 years, everybody else will forget what happened this day, and you will be sitting down and showing the film to your children." He gives extraordinary advice, but that may have been the finest of all time.

fanguest_26a011362 asks: If another show with less ratings offered you a high salary would you take it? And would it be a tough decision?

Deidre: Nothing could make me change shows. I love where I am, I love what I do, and I don't do it for the money.... Or just how much money are you talking about?

Deidre_Hall_Fan asks: I had the best day of my life at last year's east coast luncheon, and I can't wait for this years South Carolina event. I was wondering why you changed the location of the east coast event this year?

Deidre: Glad you came, glad you liked it, glad you're coming back! This whole luncheon thing gets made up on the spur of the moment, and a nanny who worked with us was raised in South Carolina, and had been talking about how wonderful it was. And I said, well, let's go back for the luncheon next year!

Deidre: And that's kind of how it happened. Obviously no great thought went into it, but I've never been there, I've heard wonderful things about it, and I'm looking forward to seeing the town and the people.

Superckfan_knight00 asks: is it nervous knowing you are such a tv personality, since so many ppl watch the show and everyone recognizes your face?

Deidre: The really nice part about playing Marlena is that people love her, and feel safe with her. So the scariest part of being recognized in public is a) disappointing a fan by not looking like Marlena, or b) having somebody knock me down with a huge bear hug.

Ulricah asks: What can happen to Marlena from now? She has been caged, possessed, loved and sorrowed, what may happen now?

Deidre: I don't know! Ask the writers -- they're more creative than I am!

rippedguest_31b912755 asks: deidre who is your favorit actor?

Deidre: I've always had a huge crush on Dennis Quaid.

Deidre: In fact, his son and my son went to preschool together, and I would get a glimpse of him coming in in the morning all rumpled and delicious... what fun!

MP2000_98 asks: DEIDRE, WHAT IS YOUR FAVE MUSICAL ARTIST?

Deidre: For rock and roll, I listen to some oldies stations. I really love the Beach Boys and the Beatles. I have a tape that somebody sent me recently with a song on it, something about fathers, a demo tape somebody sent me. Country, anybody who makes me cry, and that's not too hard to do.

Talls64 asks: Deidre...have you had any experience in theatre?

Deidre: I would love to do theatre when my boys are older. My husband came to a master's class that I was doing with Stella Adler, and I was doing a scene for her from "Children's Hour" and my husband has talked about it ever since, saying " you must, MUST get on stage again."

Jtessier2 asks: Okay Michael...everyone in Auditorium 6 is complaining that our questions are being answered. If you don't ask Marlena WHO PLAYS SHAWN DOUGLAS our whole auditorium is going to bale!

Deidre: Collin O'Donnell

SoapCity_Justin: so there!

SoapCity_Justin: :)

Deidre_Hall_Fan asks: I heard that you are no longer selling your jewelry collection, is this time? If so why?

Deidre: That is true. The collection was available for one year on Home Shopping, and when they say "limited offer," they mean limited offer! We design different pieces for every show, and when those were gone they were never made again.

Konann asks: Will you be appearing on any talk shows?

Deidre: I have none lined up.

Deidre: If it appears that I am doing fewer and fewer appearances outside of "Days," it's true. I have cut out everything except doing my "Days" episodes and being with my children, so I do very little except that.

Deidre: Oddly enough, this weekend I'll be appearing with Kristian Alfonso, Christie Clark, and I'm told Jed Allen, and Robert Clary at the Collectors Show at the Beverly Garland Hotel. Come on down!

Cutes36 asks: working with Drake must be fun-- what has been the funniest scene you two have done

Deidre: I understand that a lot was written about the 50s scene, and we were both trying to blow bubbles. He was better than I was at it. We were trying to time certain kisses and certain moves to the bubble gum, which was a lot of fun.

Ariana1974 asks: Who is the funniest cast member??

Deidre: You know what? Wayne always was. Wayne could walk into a room and make everybody fall down laughing. He had a talent for knowing people and being able to hit their funny bones, and he never took me seriously. He always made me scream with laughter. AFter that, John DeLancie.

Blake10_40 asks: What are your fav. clothing stores?

Deidre: Since I've become a mother, I've done a lot more catalog shopping. I love getting stuff in the mail. When I go out to shop, which is very rare, I like Nordstroms.

Devalve asks: if you were making sandcastles in the atlantic are you on the east coast now?

Deidre: Michael explained to people that signed on at 8pm that I was in transit with my children, having just visited my family in Florida. I'm now back home in California.

Ivorypat asks: [0;32m Do you expect to retire from the show to be more time with your children?

Deidre: This really is the most important time that I have to spend with them. In a few years, Tully will be in kindergarten, and I will lose him for those several hours a day. This time is critical in their lives that I have time with them, so I expect that I will be spending more time on television as they get older.

Amandatrakel100 asks: What is your favorite movie?

Deidre: I'm a huge fan of old movies. Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis... but I could watch the Barrymores do anything.

_belle_2000 asks: How do you stay so level headed and grounded?? hasn't stardom, fame, and fortune affected you?

Deidre: I become more comfortable with myself in my own life as I've gotten older.

Deidre: Since having my children, I go out in public with no makeup on. I flew across country today in a little shift and socks and no makeup. I've become less concerned about how I appear. The good news is that as I've gotten more comfortable with myself, I think the public has too. I used to be concerned about disappointing the fans who met me when I didn't look as good as Marlena looks, and now I just say,"You've got me with no makeup and in my bathing suit," and people just laugh. People seem to be okay with me being myself, and it's comforting and reassuring to have learned that at this point in my life and career. Thank you to everybody out there, if you bumped into me in person, for being so gracious.

Zee_dool asks: Where did you get the name Tully from? It's very original. I like it.

Deidre: My husband chose the name Tully.

Deidre: Sohmer is our family name, and Chaplin got shoved down his throat. I knew I could get to choose the middle name, because he was persuaded that Tully needed to be this baby's name for a lot of complicated reasons.

Deidre: My first choice for Tully's middle name was Chaplin. I liked the religious connotation, I liked the theater connotation, I liked the rhythm of it. I said, "We can even call him Chap - it's got a great nickname!" In fact, he came home being named only Baby Sohmer, which is how we knew that the hospital had leaked the story of his birth, because they had the birth time, the birth weight, who was there, and just said it was only Baby Sohmer.

Deidre_Hall_Fan asks: I have always wondered since seeing your TV movie Never Say Never, if you and your friend, who was named Shane, ever became friends again?

Deidre: The character of Shane was a compilation of many people. There was no "real" Shane. We wanted to depict for people some of the things that happen to people you're close to when you go through surrogacy. Having one character embody all of that was the easiest.

MBC1201 asks: You mentioned Jed Allan, Do you think they will ever bring the character of Don Craig back? At least get him back from the errand he ran.

Deidre: I'm always hearing rumors, but I have no facts to give you.

Snog77 asks: Is just you and Andrea or do you have other siblings?

Deidre: There are five children in our family.

Kjgjam22 asks: HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO JAMAICA WEST INDIES

Deidre: I have not been to Jamaica, and I've often wanted to go. I know we have a huge following in Jamaica.

Lori_RN96 asks: When you are filming at the outdoor set Salem Place, what about the tourists?

Deidre: They're right there with us! There are guards outside that keep them from turning up on camera, but we have fans come by and watch us tape.

Pookibare asks: I've always enjoyed watching you work. How hard is it to get used to the camera?

Deidre: I began as a model, and I modeled when I was in high school and college (not that I had any right to do that, but they were accepting people below the normal standard!)

Deidre: The camera was never an issue for me. I know that's hard for some people. Luckily Drake and I both work off the camera, meaning we're both very aware of when our camera is on, what they're trying to say with that shot, and we will design our performance based on what camera shots they're taking.

Comanche89 asks: Was the scene when you were in the air above the bed, when you were posessed hard to do?

Deidre: It was physically hard to do because there obviously is a trick to it that I can't divulge, but it was physically very hard to do. And uncomfortable! But not as hard as the vertical levitation...

Deidre: Stephanie Cameron had to do the angel thing coming in.. the same kind of "get me out of here!"... it's a lot of balance, a lot of pressure points. It's not fun!

Nixon18 asks: When you were on "OUR House" HOw did you have time to do both shows

Deidre: I went to "Our House" five days a week, and then I taped my Days scenes on Saturdays.

HanniseSB asks: whatever happened to Father Francis?

Deidre: I saw him on television recently, but I don't remember what happened to him.

Leona_kay asks: Do you ever get tired of some story lines dragging on and on???

Deidre: I don't seem to. I know the audience does, but I don't seem to notice it too much. Makes my lines easier to memorize if I've said them ten times before!

Adh_99 asks: Deidre, what is your secret to a happy marriage?

Deidre: There's no secret to it. Marry someone you love, marry someone you like, have some mutuality of purpose, whether it's raising children or going into the Peace Corps... somebody said you must care about the person, which is different from loving and liking.

Kri_Days asks: What is your favorite part of the day with the boys?

Deidre: I love that you asked me that, because I say it every day! Every night, my boys and I, after I give them their baths and brush their teeth and give them their night-night kisses, get into bed, and they both choose three or four books. And as we snuggle down under the covers and lean against the pillows, they both lean up against me, and we open the first book. And I always say, "this is my favorite time of the day." And my boys say it with me now. We all know it.

LisMichelle asks: Hello Deidre~ Helen Keller once said, "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." What events stand out in your life that have made you the person you are today?

Deidre: The birth of my brother, who had Down's Syndrome, certainly taught me the meaning of patience and compassion.

Deidre: Having a twin sister who looks just like me and was raised by the same parents at the same time in the same house taught me about lack of ego. And the birth of my children has taught me for the first time in my life how to be in the moment.

Magneticzipper asks: did you have a part in the decision re. marlena and john or marlena and roman

Deidre: No. In fact, I didn't know that Josh was playing Roman until the day he arrived!

Basser98 asks: WILL YOU BOYS EVER HAVE A GUEST APPEARENCE ON DAYS LIKE BEING ONE OF BELLE'S FRIENDS OR SOMETHING?

Deidre: No. That's the short answer!

Leona_kay asks: What do you do if your sick, do you go ahead and film or will they wait for you???

Deidre: No, we film whether we feel well or not. You've certainly seen me doing scenes where you could barely understand me, and I had laryngitis or a head cold. Last year you saw Drake hobble around on crutches.

Suzienne asks: What do you hope to accomplish in the future ?

Deidre: I hope to put two magnificent men back on the planet.

luna_47431_1998 asks: If your children decide to be in show business, how would you feel about that?

Deidre: I'm afraid I would be disappointed about that, and it's not that I'm ungrateful to be in it, because I love what I do.

Deidre: I just think it's a very, very tough field, it's very unpredictable, and you are continually in need of somebody else's approval.

G_Writer asks: Deidre, I just wanted to thank you for spending so much time with us tonight. We've gotten more of you here than we have on the show the past month or so...

Deidre: Thanks. That's funny!

WendellGeorge asks: How long do you think you will stay with DAYS?

Deidre: As long as they'll have me!

Snog77 asks: with david starting school how does that make you feel?

Deidre: David really is ready for school, and his personality is very outgoing, and he likes being challenged. He needs to be in a social and academic environment. It's hard to realize that there is a law in this country that makes it necessary for me to let him be there, and not with me.

Deidre: I just figured that out... You would think, "children go to school," as an adult you understand that, but when they put him in your arms as a newborn and you realize "this is mine to keep, everything that goes into this child will be things I decide for it..." And then to let strangers decide things for him and oversee his psyche is very tough.

Deidre: I said to a teacher of his, because he's been in school this year -- "You know, you're not just my son's first teacher, you're my first teacher too, and I've had to learn to adjust to him being here." I thank her for doing a lovely job. It was very hard.

Deidre: I hear more that people say "the world is so awful," and when I look out my window, I don't see the world being so awful. I don't read newspapers, I don't look at the news, because I don't want someone showing me the world is awful. My kids won't tell me the world is a terrible place to be. No one told me the world is a terrible place to be. I think it's a wonderful place to be. I thought I had the skills and the strength to show a child the way to be in the world, and the courage and the strength to keep them safe until they could keep themselves safe.

Eileen_Davidsons_Number1_Fan asks: You did a wonderful job at the daytime emmy awards, did you enjoy it? I heard some fans were VERY escite and got a little crazy

Deidre: It was fun to sit next to Rosie! I like her enormously. We both have small children, and had a lot to share and talk about.

Adh_99 asks: Deidre, I am a teacher and would love to have your child in my room. How does your sons teacher react to having you as a parent?

Deidre: You're assuming that the teacher is seeing a television star. What she sees when I walk in is David's mom. I think every teacher--it must be a huge job!--every year has to face 22 baby faces and if she's lucky 44 grown up faces, and learn what to expect from each person, and communicate what's best for every child in that room at that time to those people.

Deidre: I can remember having a conference with David's teacher, and Steve was sick in bed, and it was so important to him to hear what she had to say that we hooked up a speaker in the room because he wanted to hear her intonations and her asides, rather than being told by me later what had gone on.

Deidre: She had to learn, had to figure out that I forget to turn in permission slips, and I forget what day hot lunch is, but I make great handmade toys for the kids and love to come in and read to the class... every parent is as different as every child.

Deidre: Teachers are just so huge to us, and so important. We're giving you the most extraordinary things we have in our lives and leaving the room. We trust that she and god and whatever force happens there will keep them safe.

Deidre: We pay you so little and expect so much.

Deidre: My twin sister is a teacher, and she teaches Special Ed. I am so personally ashamed of what we do to our teachers in this country, and what we expect of them. I don't know how we fix it, and they know, teachers know how important they are. I don't know why the parents haven't caught up to it yet, or the system itself hasn't caught up to it yet. I salute them so highly. Teachers are our heroes.

Deidre: These two hours have reminded me of what happens in the room during the luncheon every year, because it seems to have its own life. I'm reminded just talking about teachers and how magnificent they are, about how many teachers affect all of our lives, and are the village that helps us raise these kids. Somebody was asking if it was me talking tonight... I'm told there will be an audio transcript of some of tonight's conversation available. Check back at Soap City.

Deidre: Our east coast luncheon is July 5 in Charleston, SC. If you want to come, send a check or money order for $50 to the fan club address -- Tinselvania, PO Box 6026-109, Sherman Oaks CA 91413. Send it at once! You'll get your tickets in the mail, and if you don't get them in time you'll be on the master list at the luncheon.

Deidre: If you send in your money and haven't gotten your tickets in time, call the Charleston Place Hotel and leave a name and phone number. But only if you've sent your money in and haven't received anything! (within a couple of weeks of sending it)

Deidre: Thank you all for joining me. It's been a delightful time hearing from you and finding out what's going on in your minds.

Deidre: Stay tuned to Days. We do the famous Days Square Dance on July 4. You'll be having as much fun as we did!

© 1998 Yahoo! Inc./Soap City

Thanks to CJ Paradis for this chat

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