AOLiveMC1: Hey there, AOL! I'm Jim JMF (AOLiveMC1) and that's MegK. Your hosts for this evening's festivities. OnlineHost: Lisa Rinna currently stars as the intriguing Taylor McBride," on FOX TV's popular drama series "Melrose Place." Perhaps best known for her role as the sexy and smart Billie Reed on NBC's daytime drama "DAYS OF OUR LIVES," Rinna's versatile career spans television, film and theatre. Welcome! AOLiveMC1: Everybody, let's give a big welcome to Lisa Rinna! Welcome to AOL Live! RinnaL: Thank you. This is exciting: it's my first time online for an interview, and I am really looking forward to getting some good, juicy questions! AOLiveMC1: Okay, here's our first question for the night. TBrogan15 starts us off with this: Question: Lisa, I loved you on "Day's of Our Lives." Do you prefer doing that or what you're doing now on "Melrose Place?" RinnaL: That's a hard question to answer because they're both so different. I loved the character of Billie like a sister because I was with her for three years. I am sad that I don't get to be her right now, but it's also very exciting to play a new character and find her idiosyncrasies, and working on the soap opera was much harder than working on Melrose, so it's nice to have a life again. AOLiveMC1: LLafalce wants to know about reuniting with an ex-"Days of Our Lives" actor: Question: Hi Lisa! How did it feel working with Patrick Muldoon again? RinnaL: Well, I never actually got to work with him because he finished on the fourth episode of the new season. So I saw him for about ten minutes in the trailer while we were both on the set. But it was great to give him a big hug and sit and chat. AOLiveMC1: COTamster misses Lisa from "Days": Question: Lisa is there any chance that you will return to "Days of Our Lives?" We miss you! RinnaL: Well, there is a new Billie now, so it wouldn't be that easy to return, but never say never! AOLiveMC1: Corchuelo asks about Lisa's past role: Question: You were great on "Days". It hasn't been the same since you left! What role did you play on "Hogan Family?" RinnaL: I played Jason Bateman's girlfriend, "Annie." AOLiveMC1: Misicat has a "Melrose Place" question: Question: Why does Taylor have this obsession with Peter? If you don't know, can you guess? Thanks! RinnaL: Well, I do know, (laughs) but if I *tell* you, you won't want to watch the next four episodes, I'll give you a hint: It has to do with childhood. AOLiveMC1: VWestf528 asks about Lisa's start in the business: Question: Where are you originally from and where did you get your start in acting? RinnaL: I was born in Newport Beach, CA, and then I grew up in Medford, Oregon. How I got my start was I had always wanted to be an actress, and I enrolled in acting classes at the University of Oregon, and then the teachers would not put me into Acting II, so I quit school, and I started modeling. Then about 4 years later I moved to Los Angeles and got back into acting class, got myself an agent and just persisted. AOLiveMC1: Raininfir wants to know about this rumor: Question: I heard that you were going to star in a comedy show like "Friends" where you play the part of a mortician. Is this true? Was it canceled? RinnaL: (laughs) That's funny. I did a pilot back in April that takes place in the county morgue, but I do not play a mortician. I play a coroner. (A county coroner's investigator) It is a comedy-drama and it *may* get picked up, may not; we still don't know. I still am under contract to them, but they have let me go do Melrose until ABC lets me know whether they're picking it up. They'll probably know by Thanksgiving. So, it's still alive. (No pun intended) :) AOLiveMC1: Let's hope they pick it up. Sounds interesting! DProe is curious to know about the switch Lisa made: Question: Lisa what is the difference between Daytime & Nighttime and what do you like better? Alli. RinnaL: It is interesting, but it's dark. It's about dead people, but it's very well written, so we'll see. Daytime you work every day. You have to learn roughly 20-40 pages of dialogue per day. You learn a tremendous amount; it's a great training ground. But you have no life (laughs) For nighttime, being on an ensemble show affords me more of a life, and I have to memorize 5 pages a day as opposed to 40. I enjoy both of them in different ways. And I'm glad that I've been fortunate enough to work in both arenas. AOLiveMC1: And it does help that both shows you were on are hits. :) VWestf528 wants to know who Lisa admires: Question: Who do you admire most in your profession? RinnaL: Yes it does (laughs) I admire Jessica Lange very much. She's my favorite actress. I also admire Dustin Hoffman, and Meryl Streep. I admire Heather Locklear: I enjoy watching her work, and I have learned a lot from her, and I think Harry Hamelin is quite a good actor. AOLiveMC1: Navy1616 wants to know about this: Question: Looking back on the episodes how do you feel about them? I'm probably your biggest fan and I love the show. RinnaL: I, so far, am pleased. I would like a little bit more to do, because I'm used to doing so much on the soap opera. I feel like I'm being greedy, but I'd like to have even more going on...maybe even me a be a little *more* devious and have even more of everything! AOLiveMC1: DanniYell has a little surprise for Lisa here. This is your life, Lisa: Question: Hi Lisa! I made you those music videos and you called me awhile back, and I also met you at that DAYS luncheon, do you remember? This is Danielle. Congratulations on MELROSE! Do you miss DAYS or ever visit? How bizarre was it to work with Patrick again? By the way, it was great meeting you (so very long ago)! Hope you're doing well! RinnaL: Oh, thank you again for the videos! I pop them in from time to time for a good belly laugh! And, yes, I miss working on "Days." I don't visit enough. I would love to actually *be* working with Patrick Muldoon again, but I'm not because he's gone and life is great! :) Take care of yourself! Bye! AOLiveMC1: Care to share those music videos with your public one of these days?RinnaL: (laughs) NO! AOLiveMC1: KK18Grev is curious about this: Question: Why did you decide to leave "Days of Our Lives?" RinnaL: My contract was up and I had many different opportunities and so I decided to take a risk and leave my security blanket and go out into the big world. I'm glad I did, because I have grown a lot in this past year since leaving "Days," and it's a good thing AOLiveMC1: TGrimes33 wants to know about Lisa's past modeling pursuit: Question: Lisa did you ever go to modeling agencies? RinnaL: I was with many different agencies all over the world, actually. I modeled with Elite in Japan. I modeled with Wilhelmina in LA, in Chicago I had an agency, in Zurich, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas... more in the smaller markets, because I wasn't that tall for a model: I'm only 5'7". AOLiveMC1: Actress, Model, and Music Video-er. What a talent! Raininfir asks who Lisa keeps in touch with from the "Days" cast: Question: Who do you stay in touch with from "Days Of Our Lives?" RinnaL: I have been bad, actually, for the last few months, but my friends there are Christie Clark, Christian Alphonso, Eileen Davidson, Austin Peck, there are so many! Maybe I'll go visit next week, you have me thinking! I want to see my old friends. AOLiveMC1: Lwalk64 wants to know about the love of her life: Question: How did you first meet your fiance, Harry Hamelin? Were you intimidated by his past much-publicized romances? RinnaL: I met him through a mutual friend, and, yes, I was a little intimidated by his past romances, to be honest, but no longer. AOLiveMC1: Misicat wants to know about a movie Lisa did: Question: Do you know when the TV movie that stars you, "Close to Danger" will air? RinnaL: They're telling us the first week in January, they think. We hope. AOLiveMC1: Pulseczar wants to know about Lisa's future movie plans: Question: Hiya! Are you going to do any movies in the future? RinnaL: I'd like to. I just have to find someone who wants to hire me first! Have any suggestions? :) AOLiveMC1: Unsassy has a musical question for Lisa: Question: Lisa- What are some of your favorite CDs? RinnaL: Kenny G, "The Moment," Toni Braxton, George Michael, Madonna (all of them). I like so many. Sting, Tina Turner (her new one is great), Celine Dion (her new one, excellent), The Bee Gees on "Stayin Alive" (I'm listening to that right now!) AOLiveMC1: Great taste in music! Almost same as mine. Speaking of Kenny G, MaggiMayI has a surprise also. This is your life, Lisa, Part Two: Question: Lisa, we met at Kenny G's birthday party at the new Hunt's Point House. Harry spent about a half hour talking with my mate and me. What a treat! Have you two set a wedding date? RinnaL: Yes we have! And we're in the process of doing all of the planning, but we have help, so it should be fun. But what a small world! I can't wait to see their house now that it's finished. I hear it is *beautiful*! Have you seen it? AOLiveMC1: Stam7895 wants to know if Lisa can help this curious soul with this: Question: What is your connection to Peter Burns it's driving me crazy, trying to figure it out. RinnaL: I can't *tell* you or it will spoil everything. What do you think it is? By Episode 8, you will know. (You just saw Episode 5, so be patient) AOLiveMC1: Lisa is so evil. She's catching on to the "Melrose Place" "atmosphere". RinnaL: (laughs) AOLiveMC1: YngWrite wants to know about any character similarities: RinnaL: I like that! I'm glad. I want to be a bad girl. Question: Was the character Billy on "Days" anything like you are in real life? RinnaL: Yes. I would say Billie and I were very similar (laughs). Because, after all, she is a part of me. I am very spunky and sometimes full of beans, and I'm a bit of a troublemaker. ;) AOLiveMC1: Jcutler15 is curious to know, as are many guys out there: Question: What do you do to stay in such great shape? RinnaL: I watch what I eat, meaning not *too* much of anything, everything in moderation, basically. As far as the workout goes, I do Yoga, Pilates, and Tae Bo aerobics, which is a combination of kickboxing, tae kwan do, and aerobics and it's fun. Period. AOLiveMC1: How about doing a fitness video, Lisa? :) RinnaL: Hmm, I never thought of that! Any ideas on what I would do? There have been so many, but that might be fun. AOLiveMC1: While you think about that, here's another question: DanniYell has a "juicy" question to make Lisa think about: Question: Hey, Lisa, you asked for it! Here's a big juicy question. Would you shy away from any roles or what roles interest you and why? RinnaL: I think I may shy away from any type of role that had any abuse towards animals, other than that, I can't think of anything. As an actress I would like to play many different roles. I would like to do a romantic comedy. I very much admire Meg Ryan's career, and would like to do that sort of work, and I would just like to continue to be challenged as an actress, so I would probably do anything (laughs). AOLiveMC1: Irene Wes wants to know about Lisa's awards: Question: Lisa, how did it feel winning two Soap Opera Awards in a row? RinnaL: Feels great! I often forget and then I will be reminded when I see the awards in my office and that will make me feel good for the day! It's an honor. AOLiveMC1: Petey7127 is an obvious fan who echoes the sentiments of Lisa's public: Question: Lisa I love you and I wish you would come back as Billie. I am a big fan and is there a way to write to you? RinnaL: Yes, you can write to me care of "Melrose Place" or you can still write to me care of "Days of Our Lives: Which is 3000 Alameda in Burbank. 91505 Tanya "Melrose Place" care of Spelling Entertainment. Address to follow... AOLiveMC1: PLOGARA14 wants to know if Lisa has any advice to part: Question: What advice would you give to someone who would like to act professionally? RinnaL: Study, study, study. Find an acting class in your area. Do theater. Do anything you can do, and then, if you want to go to a big city to try it there, you will have something under your belt and you will have a technique, and you will also know if that is something that you really want to do. But it is very important to study acting however you can. AOLiveMC1: Tatt001 has this question to pose: Question: Hi Lisa, do you feel that you are getting more exposure on "Melrose Place?" RinnaL: Yes, it's actually about twice as much as the soap opera, viewer-wise, or even more than that, but I did get a lot from the soap opera, so I can't really tell. Yet. AOLiveMC1: TVJeleeJa has this question about Lisa's ex-character: Question: Lisa, the new "Billie" is nothing like your portrayal. Do you resent "Days" for changing the character that you created? RinnaL: No, I don't resent them. I think that that happens any time a show recasts a character, because no one can ever be me, so the girl playing Billie is doing the best that she can do with what she has, and in time, people will like her for her, but it is very hard to step into a role that someone has created, and I give her a lot of credit. I wouldn't want to do it. The address for "Melrose Place", by the way, is P.O. Box 900 Beverly Hills, CA 90213-0900 Attn.: Lisa Rinna. AOLiveMC1: Everybody, write that down! :) T4596 has a hair/style/beauty question: Question: Lisa-I love your hair-who does it and do they have a specific name for that style? Thanks, Donna. RinnaL: No name. "Messy/sexy" that's what I always ask for it? "Just make it messy-sexy" A guy named Jonathan Anton at the Jonathan Salon cuts it, and it's really easy to do. AOLiveMC1: Let's just anoint it the "Lisa Rinna Style" Garlic Gu has a "juicy" question: Question: What's the most risque' thing that you've ever done? RinnaL: Hmm, I don't know. Gosh. Taking the car out when I was 14 was pretty risque. Actually I can't talk about the most risque thing I've ever done. (Keep 'em guessin'). AOLiveMC1: :::hears a collective moan from the audience::: Dsinging wants to know about this: Question: I tried acting in a play this summer. I never acted before and it was incredible fun! Have you done plays? RinnaL: No, but I would like to, very soon. AOLiveMC1: CCIntern is curious to find out: Question: Hi Lisa I think you're great. Which actor have you enjoyed working with most and who would you like to work with? RinnaL: Oh, well I loved working with Patrick Muldoon, I loved working with Jason Bateman, and I would love to work with Brad Pitt, Not just because Brad Pitt is good-looking, but because he's a great actor, I think. AOLiveMC1: Raininfir poses a very thinking-type question: Question: If you could switch places with anyone for a day who would it be? RinnaL: The President. 'Cause that is the hardest thing for me to imagine: what it would be like for me to run the country. I'm sure I would only want to be there for one day. But it would be interesting to be a woman president for a day. AOLiveMC1: Everybody, all at once now. "Lisa Rinna For President!" :) RinnaL: (laughs) That's great! AOLiveMC1: CCIntern has this question about Lisa's alternative career: Question: Lisa, if you didn't choose acting, what career do you think you would most likely pursue? RinnaL: I would like to be a "fashion stylist" (laughs) not too specific there, huh? I love clothing, and I would love to be a stylist for magazines, TV, movies. I love fashion. AOLiveMC1: Gwenky wants to know about this: Question: If you could write for your character, where would you like to see Taylor up to? RinnaL: I'd like to see Taylor really struggle with her identity and where she belongs. Is it with her husband? Is it with another man? I'd like to explore her past more, and what makes her tick. But I pretty much like what's going on. I just keep saying "more". I want to keep exploring what makes her tick and why she does what she does. And I'd like her to run for President! AOLiveMC1: Actress, Model, Music Video-er, Fitness Guru, President, Fashion Stylist. Wooo boy! Nissei3 has this burning question to ask: Question: Lisa, what do you do in your spare time (when you have some)? RinnaL: I like to take Yoga. I like to take my dogs for long walks in the hills. I like to go to the beach. I like to have lunch with the girls, and I like to go to the movies, and go to dinner. Pretty exciting life I lead. AOLiveMC1: The show is nearing the end, so there's time for one final question for our guest. Audrag ends our fabulous event with this question: Question: Do you own a computer and, if so, do you surf the net? RinnaL: I am embarrassed to say that we own a beautiful new computer that is sitting in the gym, in boxes. But I promised that I would learn how to use it once it was unpacked. So I have my work cut out for me, for I will not let this century pass me by without learning how to surf the 'net. We have America Online pre-loaded, but I don't know how to make it work. Now, when Harry comes home, I'm gonna make him take it out of the box (I was told not to touch it). So much to look forward to. AOLiveMC1: In boxes? ::in shock:: Oh my, we certainly can't have that! I'm sure somebody out there can help you. Right? :) Lisa, thank you so very much for taking time out of your day to appear tonight on AOL! RinnaL: Right, and I can be a computer whiz by the time Harry comes home! (laughs) You're very welcome. It was a pleasure. AOLiveMC1: It was a pleasure having you answer our juicy questions. RinnaL: (laughs) AOLiveMC1: Thank you again and thank you to our audience! And a special thanks to the audience for joining us. Have a good evening. Until next time, AOL! OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within 24 hours after the event has ended. OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.
(Thanks to Dana Dietz for sending me this chat.)