Transcript of Yahoo! Chat
with
Deidre Hall (Marlena)- July 6,
1999
Deidre Hall (Marlena)- July 6, 1999
Deidre: Good evening
everyone! This is my first time speaking to you as Mrs. John
Black!
Deidre: I think I'm
nearly as happy as you all are. I hope you enjoyed being
guests at my wedding as much as I enjoyed being the
bride!
dtorrano asks: How
long did it take to film the wedding scenes? They were
GREAT!
Deidre: The actual
wedding show took a full day to tape. But it was closer to
sixteen hours than the usual nine.
goldn_braid asks:
Were you surprised that you were chosen to be represented
in the Soap Series of dolls?
Deidre: I think Marlena
is one of tv's most beloved and endearing characters. And
although modesty requires that I react with surprise, I know
what a favorite Marlena is, and has been for so many
years.
Deidre: I must say, I
was not surprised.
Deidre: Flattered,
touched, yes. Surprised, no.
hearts_hearts_hearts
asks: Diedre-do you and John have a friendly relationship
outside of Days?
Deidre: Drake and I are
very close friends and enjoy each others company during
working hours, but have never been social friends.
mar_elgart asks:
The show was beautiful. Did you have a say in the writing
of the vows?
Deidre: The wedding
ceremony was created and written entirely by our writting
staff. I must say a part of me was expecting sky rockets and
a marching band! I was so pleased and touched with the
tender and emotional wedding they created for us.
Deidre: It was just
right.
greeniz63_98 asks:
Did you have any input in picking out your wedding dress
for John and Marlena's wedding?
Deidre: You know by now
that the dress that Marlena wore for the wedding also had to
be appropriate for Marlena, the Mattel Doll. Everybody had
specifications and requirements that had to be met.
Deidre: I thought the
dress was exquisite, even for one created by a
committee.
Deidre: You will see the
doll on the wedding cake tomorrow.
peg_23 asks: Do
you believe in love at first sight? My friends and I are
debating the issue. So what do you think?
Deidre: Absolutely.
dee_drake asks:
Ms. Hall, do you plan to possibly continue your HSN
jewelry line someday?
Deidre: I have no plans
to do that in the future.
jaynequinn asks:
What were you doing in between takes of the wedding?
Deidre: Mostly stepping
out of my heels!
Deidre: It was a very
long day that required discipline and pace for everyone.
tx23snj asks: If
you could work with any actor, who would it be?
Deidre: I've always had
a terrible crush on Dennis Quaid.
Deidre: I think I would
perfer to lust after him from a distance.
drskrug asks: The
charity auction at your event was amazing. I loved the
assortment of items and the opportunity to bid on such
incredilbe stuff. Will you be having more auctions like
these in the future?
Deidre: The entire
Deidre Hall Luncheon this year was an act of charity; not
just the auction items that benefitted "Feed the Children",
but as you know, the ticket sales went to install a new
lighting board for the school.
Deidre: It was so
successful and we all felt so pleased. We will deffinately
do luncheons for charity in the future. I'm glad you had a
nice time.
texaslady39 asks:
I am 39 years old and have watched Days all my life.
Didn't you have a child on Days and it died or got
kidnapped? I HAVE A BET ON THIS QUESTION! I said it
died.
Deidre: You are right on
both counts. I had a child with Don that died of crib death,
or SIDS. But don't forget the vile Stefano also kidnapped my
twins. And Sami kidnapped Belle.
mikel_94518 asks:
What were the Death Row scenes with Sami like to be
filmed? They were quite amazing to watch.
Deidre: The scenes had
to be very exacting and shooting them was more difficult
than most.
Deidre: The death
chamber was isolated. We were shooting through glass walls
and it was an impossible level of emotion.
Deidre: I thought Ali
was magnificent, didn't you?
Lilybell99 asks:
Have you ever called Josh Taylor, Kris instead of
Roman?
Deidre: Only in
jest!
stoopid82 asks:
Will Marlena ever look into her missing years?
Deidre: I don't
know.
HappyBug83 asks: I
saw a movie about your struggle to have children. How are
your children doing?
Deidre: My children are
magnificent. Thank you for asking.
GymnastGirl_16 asks:
Do you ever see Wayne Northrop anymore?
Deidre: I see him every
chance I get, which is not nearly often enough.
Deidre: I still count
him among my closest friends.
JennM_DOOLfan asks:
Ms. Hall, your scenes with Ali Sweeney lately have been
amazing. Are you a mentor of sorts for the other
actresses?
Deidre: I'm not sure
mentor is the proper word. Ali and I have always worked very
closely to find a performance together, not just in
performance, but in indepth conversation before hand.
Deidre: In particular,
Ali is often curious to find jestures or words truly
appropriate to motherhood.
shanbott asks: Did
you ever think this wedding would occur?
Deidre: I didn't think
it would take this long.
debcain asks:
Deidre, just how old are they going to make
Belle?
Deidre: She is a
teenager.
Deidre: The rumour has
been out there for a while about the aging of Belle. I know
not everybody is in favor of the notion. Is anybody in favor
of it?
collegegirl1899 asks:
I heard that John sings on tomorrow's show, do you think
he sings well?
Deidre: I think he does
eveything well. I'm not sure I'd put singing at the very
top.
five_5star asks:
Will your character's name be Dr. Marlena
Evans-Brady-Black or just Marlena Black?
Deidre: I don't know. I
think it will be Dr. Evans, or Mrs. John Black.
diva_00_99 asks:
What is it like working with Jensen Ackles?
Deidre: Jensen is the
dreamiest! I adore him as a co-star, as a son, and as a
friend.
LittleR36 asks:
Are you an animal lover?
Deidre: I have a great
fondness and respect for animals.
joq3 asks: Do the
actor's have any imput into the scripts or
storylines?
Deidre: No.
Deidre: and I wouldn't
want any.
tarin24u asks:
Your husband called you CB... we were wondering what that
means?
Deidre: It is a private
term of endearment.
sle26 asks: What
were the location shoots like in Hawaii, Deidre?
Deidre: The location
shots were the finest I've ever done. At the location every
person was doing everything they do very well.
Deidre: It is a tough
grind and is exhausting. You never get to the best work, it
is impossible.
Deidre: At one point we
were shooting a scene you will see next week. The scene was
to be shot as the sun set on the horizon.
Deidre: We finished half
an hour early. We sat on the shore waiting for the proper
moment. Steve Wyman, who was directing the location shoot
turned and said to me in a quiet moment "I'm so sorry this
is taking so long". All I could do is laugh. I was sitting
among close friends, during a work day, on the prettiest day
and watching the sun set.
Deidre: On yeah, and
then I got to work with Drake!
catty30080 asks: I
recently saw your TV movie on reruns about the boys. Would
you advise anyone to go with a surrogate today?
Deidre: Absolutely. Why
wouldn't I?
Rthtodd asks: What
is your opinion of NBC's decision to cancel "Another World"
and replace it with "Passions"?
Deidre: I'm sure they
thought it was a good business decision or it would not have
been done. Only time will tell if they were right.
dee_drake asks:
What do you attribute the amazing chemistry between you
and Drake to?
Deidre: If I could
describe or define chemistry I wouldn't have to work for a
living. Isn't it great that we have it?
dru95_4 asks: Do
you miss having your sister on the show?
Deidre: I miss having my
sister in my life. I spent a few days with her in Virginia.
We never have enough time together.
Subway_Sonja asks:
Is Alice Horton like a everyones grandmother... I would
love to meet her... she inspires me so much... she reminds
me so much of my late grandmother.
Deidre: I don't find
Francis Reed to be anything like Alice Horton. I find her to
be saucey, out spoken, determined and forceful. She is a
true force with which to be reckoned.
michael_and_sabrina
asks: How often do you get a new wardrobe for the show,
Mrs. Hall?
Deidre: Every day that I
do a new show I get a new outfit.
Deidre: Richard Bloore
will always bring in a number of options and let the actress
choose what she'd like to wear.
Yael_Israeli_fan
asks: You're so gorgeous, how do you stay in
shape?
Deidre: Thank you. Six
months ago I began working with my TaeBo tape. It is great,
it is fun and empowering. It only requires twenty minutes of
your morning.
tigerlilly_99_00
asks: Hi Deidre. I was just wondering how do you balance
such a hectic work schedule along with taking care of your
children?
Deidre: The producers
are good enough to keep my hours to a minimum and my
children are my true scheduling priority.
Deidre: Although the
producers are very helpful in keeping my hours brief, I have
worked very heavily during the last three months.
JennM_DOOLfan asks:
Ms. Hall, do you realize just how much fans appreciate
all you do for them! Because we do! You are very kind to
your fans... we appreciate it!
Deidre: Thank you, that
is nice to hear.
chad_sss asks:
What is your favorite vacation destination?
Deidre: I'm looking
forward to taking the boys to Africa.
BLOWFISHn asks:
How many years have you been on Days' now??
Deidre: I began days in
1976.
deannajeter asks:
How long does it take you to memorize lines? Do you goof
a lot?
Deidre: My tendancy is
to memorize my dialouge immediately before I do it. I have
an amazing short term memory. Ah, what was the question?
Gladialo_in_Aug asks:
Do you ever take your children to the set, and if so, do
they enjoy watching their Mommy?
Deidre: I take them to
the set very infrequently. But, when they are there, they
don't watch me perform.
Beth555 asks: Are
you more comfortable in Marlena clothes or are you a jeans
and t-shirt sort of gal?
Deidre: I'm comfortable
in both.
Cousin2zm asks:
How is it always playing a good character? Do you ever
want to play a bad character?
Deidre: Although we
often hear how much fun it is to play a wicked character, I
must tell you, I appreciate there being such a fine role
model in the world.
Deidre: I actually had
an agent that got me the job. She was a fan of the show.
She'd say to me "I like this character. She is so powerful,
she is so real. I love watching her!" I would think, I
wonder what she is seeing. It took me a long time to realize
that it was something more than the sum of parts with
Marlena. All the ingredients came together to make it
magical.
shann_wa asks:
What was your favorite moment of the wedding?
Deidre: There were so
many fine moments, weren't there? Tragically, you never got
to see the rehearsals. Drake did a hilarious lizard lounge
rehearsal. During the first taping of the garter toss, it
landed in little Will's hand. The more astonished he was,
the louder we screamed! It was hilarious!
Deidre: I loved it when
Drake pulled me down to the horizontal kiss! I watched him
say his vows all day long. Rehearsal, in the make up room
together, going on stage and finally taping it. I was deeply
moved every single time. I thought he was extrodinary. I
actually thought this was every brides fantasy.
Deidre: I thought I'm so
lucky to stand here and receive this.
kim_1207 asks: The
recent show that showed a musical montage of John and
Marlena was great. Did you get to see it before it
aired?
Deidre: I still haven't
seen it. I was in Europe for two weeks.
SWEETGIRL_2002_02
asks: What is the worst thing about being famous, and is
it as great as they say?
Deidre: I'm going to try
to explain to you what I have just realized myself. I was
talking to a friend over dinner about this topic. There is
an awareness in the states that every time a celebrity turns
to speak to someone, whether to ask for directions, sugar in
their coffe, or to not be given a parking ticket. You are
opening yourself up to their recognition and their response
to your character.
Deidre: I'm especially
sensative to it when I'm with my children. It is an
artificial response based on nothing that is about me or who
I am.
Deidre: I only realize
it now because when I was out of the country and I was
completely relaxed.
goldn_braid asks:
Did you always dream of becoming an actress?
Deidre: Never. I
actually wanted to be a hairdresser and I studied to be a
psychologist.
Deidre: I just had to
settle for being a tv star!
Soapfan35 asks:
While I enjoyed John's vows, I thought Marlena's were
prettier. And you said them with such feeling. A lot of
people have been saying on the Internet that they want to
use some of the vows and the flower/children part in their
own wedding.
Deidre: I knew when we
shot those scenes it would become a new prototype for family
marriages.
Deidre: I thought they
were both exquisite choices and highly appropriate to the
history of the characters.
redhead6886 asks:
What was your personal reaction when given the script for
the possession storyline?
Deidre: I was told about
that story line ages before it ever happend. I was anxious
that daytime might not be the medium for it or that it might
not be done with the quality that the stoty telling
demanded.
Deidre: I was much
relieved and proud of how well it was done. Once again,
every person doing everything they do the best it was ever
done. Stunts, lighting, the performances! Everything.
vgo_gal99 asks:
How do you prepare for the emotional roles that you play,
ex: crying?
Deidre: I only use what
is there for me to use. During the Sami scenes I tapped into
my love for Allison Sweeney and her vulnerability. I just
stayed in the room.
UCan2_1999 asks:
Ms. Hall which execution story was the most emotional
Sami's or John's ? You were great in both.
Deidre: Those scenes
called up different kinds of emotions. There is a revulsion
associated with the gas chamber. Having to watch him
struggle for breath, life, unlike the Sweeny scenes which
was a more peaceful, quietly painful, sort of death.
days_4ever asks:
What was the most difficult storyline ? You play them all
excellently.
Deidre: It was very
difficult trying to meet the level of performance that I
would have had with Wayne when we began to call Josh Taylor
Roman.
Deidre: I don't think I
ever really succeeded. Not because of Josh, he was terrific.
But because of my deep friendship and love for Wayne.
Godskidalways asks:
I loved the wedding. We are using the family flower thing
July 20 at our renewal of 25 years.
Deidre: Told you!
angel5499 asks:
Who is your closest friend on the set?
Deidre: There are a
number of people I enjoy chatting with and spending time
with. Jamie Lyn, Lauren Koslow, and of course, my pal
Drake.
Deidre: Nancy Lewis,
Tom, and all the really great dames upstairs.
chica10_98 asks: I
think you are one of the greatest actresses. I was wondering
if you can give us any little hints about the future for J&M.
Please :) :) :) :D :D :D
Deidre: I don't know how
the Gina story line plays out. Tom has told me John and
Marlena will live happily every after.
afletch22 asks:
The actor for Stefano, is he a real teddy bear in person?
Mom thinks so and so do I.
Deidre: A Teddy Bear?
Not that I've noticed!
Deidre: But I don't know
that I'd recognize the real person. Joe Mascolo never speaks
without Stefano's accent.
vanaMay asks: What
is your astrological sign and do you think you "fit" in the
stereotype of it?
Deidre: Scorpio, but I'm
not sure if I fit it.
shida720 asks: Do
you realize what kind of an impact your TV charcter can have
on a persons real life? Some people make life decisions on
what happens to their favorite charcter.
Deidre: I'm told quite
often by fans of the show of the impact the show or the
characters have on their lives. I don't go there too heavy
for responsibility.
Eeyore104 asks:
You are my inspiration... who were your biggest
inspirations and why>?
Deidre: My mom worked
her whole life, raised five kids and never complained. I
call that a hero.
Deidre: I call teachers
that work all day long to give you the tools to survive in
the world and can barely make a living, raising other
people's kids, heroes.
Deidre: I have a great
long list, but no names you'd recognize.
AIMEE63 asks: WHAT
DO YOU DO IN YOUR EXTRA TIME?
Deidre: What is
that?
shimrlill asks: My
dream is to be an actress when I turn 18. Do you have any
advise?
Deidre: I don't give
advice on any topic, but you must know that acting is the
most difficult field in the world in which to become
successful.
Deidre: So, if you
decide to persue it, you had better want it more than
anything else in your life.
joq3 asks: Do you
ever aspire to write, direct or produce?
Deidre: None of the
above.
marlena_black99 asks:
There are two rumors: John is going to be bitten by a
shark and the other is John is going to cheat on Marlena
during the honeymoon. Are either of these true?
Deidre: I never respond
to rumours. Where do you hear such things?
stoopid82 asks:
Was this weddding for real? Or was this another fake
wedding courtesy of Stefano?
Deidre: No, no, it is a
real wedding! It is a real wedding!
Deidre: Don't deprive
yourself of the joy!
goldn_braid asks:
What do you think of the doll that they have created of
you?
Deidre: I think it is a
cute idea.
Deidre: I love that it
is on the wedding cake!
Rosanna2810 asks:
Can you refuse a storyline that is against your
principles
Deidre: I'm sure I
could.
Deidre: Our directors
and producers are very comfortable with us finding our own
way through the dialogue. Although our writers are very
good, we rarely have to. The wedding vows were so perfect, I
struggled to get them verbatim. There was also a show
written a few weeks where I ask Stepano to intercede on
Sami's behalf. It was so well written, it needed no emotion.
It took pains to get it word for word.
Deidre: I told the
writers how much I appreciated that.
Deidre: Thanks for joing
me. Apparently it is time to wrap up our chat. Thank you so
much for attending the wedding. Do not miss the receiption
tomorrow. It is as lovely and as full as today was.
Deidre: And if you
thought today was great, wait until the honeymoon!
Copyright © 1999 Columbia TriStar
Interactive. All rights reserved.