OnlineHost: Your emcees tonight are AOLiveMC13 (Lisa) and AOLiveMC9 (Marilyn).
AOLiveMC13: Welcome. Nice to have you here today.
AOLiveMC9: Hi and welcome.
AOLiveMC13: Are you ready for some questions?
CharltteR: Bring 'em on!
AOLiveMC13: The first one is from CrAzYxDj:
Question: I've met Pauly before and he was real cool with me. He seems like the kind that likes to do normal things and doesn't like to stay away from the public. Is that true?
CharltteR: Yes, very true. Pauly is Pauly. And he's actually one of the funniest people I've ever worked with, and he is not egocentric at all. I never know what to expect working with him, and he is what he is. He doesn't pretend to be Pauly, that is Pauly. He doesn't work to become this character.
AOLiveMC13: The next is from BillGarmo:
Question: Do you, or have you, loaned your association to a worthy cause? If do, what? How could our national non-profit reach you or your office?
CharltteR: Absolutely write in! I'm very involved, I like to be as involved as possible. I'm very involved with animal rights, education about the environment. I give hikes to inner-city schoolkids when I'm not working and teach them the importance of the environment, how to be careful with their garbage, why the animals are important, not to hurt the animals. I would love to use the fact that I'm a public figure to do more, so please get in touch with me c/o "Pauly", FOX-TV, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. And thanks for the question.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Skrug577:
Question: Was it awkward doing the TV movie last year with Charles Shaughnessy as lovers after being father and daughter on "Days?"
CharltteR: Great question! People who know me as Eve must know what a strange experience that was for me. Charles Shaughnessy played my father for 4 years on "Days of our Lives" and was like a father figure to me. And years later I get offered a TV movie where I have to seduce and have an affair with my best friend's father. I thought it was a great role, agreed to do it, and then they told me Charles Shaughnessy was going to play my father. I sat on my balcony and thought, "Can I do this? is this incestuous of me?" But I agreed, and we ended up having a lot of fun working together. There was a comfortableness because we knew each other. But he kept whispering in my ear, "You're not daddy's little girl anymore!"
AOLiveMC13: Here is a question from Fph213:
Question: Do you prefer working in movies or television ?
CharltteR: Both. I like to go back and forth between drama and comedy. I've played a lot of down and out roles, like a homeless hooker with AIDS on "ER," an ex-heroin addict, rape victim on "Murder One," a heroin addict in the movie "Love and a 45" with Rene Zelwigger, but those parts get very draining and I walk away saying, "I think I want to lighten up for awhile", then I like to go do comedy. I learned a lot about comedy working on "The 5 Mrs. Buchanans" with Judith Ivey and Eileen Heckart. So I decided to lighten up with the show "Pauly." Any character I play after the character Dawn on "Pauly" will seem boring. But I think my true love is drama. Big screen or little screen.
AOLiveMC13: The next question is from POrdong:
Question: Hi! Do you stay in contact with any of your "Days of Our Lives" co-workers?
CharltteR: Yes, yes, yes! Actually I'm a bridesmaid in Mindy Clark's wedding. Mindy played the blind girl "Faith". Her dad's been on it since it began, he plays Mickey Horton. And she's one of my best friends. And sometimes I see Lisa Howard who played April, and of course I just had to have pretend to have sex with Charles Shaughnessy. But I left in 1991 so it's been, actually, a while.
AOLiveMC13: Here is one from SusenMc:
Question: It's great to see you again! And playing a bitch... I think that they wasted your talents on "5 Mrs. Buchanans". Did you enjoy the character or did you feel like you had to hold back?
CharltteR: What a great question. How intuitive. Yes, I did feel like I was holding back on the "5 Mrs. Buchanans." When it comes to comedy, I find it much more rewarding to play a character with an agenda who's really manipulative, in essence, really, the bitch. And I liked playing Bree on the "5 Mrs. Buchanans" because it was something I hadn't played before, but I was surrounded by these strong actresses playing these very strong, bitchy women, and I wished I was playing their roles. But I really enjoy watching them, because I learned a lot from them. It's always fun to work with people who are really professional and who you can grow from. So I think the "5 Mrs. Buchanans" really helped prepare me for the role I have now on "Pauly." It's the lead role, a lot's on my shoulders, I get to have a lot of fun... and most of all, I feel prepared, so I'm lucky.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Ozz117:
Question: Have you ever done a nude scene or posed nude in a magazine? If so, do you think it detracts from a woman's integrity and is it really necessary for the scene's success?
CharltteR: Well everyone has their own opinion on that. It's funny, I've played a lot of characters in bathing suits, negligees, and just skimpy outfits. But I have never shown my breasts or anything else... and I'm nervous for the day when I feel it's necessary. I haven't felt it's necessary for any of the film or TV roles I've done so far. I have turned down some roles because of it so far. Sean Penn wanted me to play a stripper in "The Crossing Guard" and I would've had 2 scenes with Jack Nicholson, both of which I had to be nude. And I passed. And of course I want to work with Sean Penn and Jack Nicholson, but I just can't show up and run around naked. If it's a lead role in a big movie and it's a beautiful love scene, I'd have to consider doing it, even though it would make me very nervous. But I do think it can be done in a non-gratuitous way. I thought "English Patient" was done beautifully.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Skrug577:
Question: Do you plan on doing anymore theater? I love watching you perform on stage.
CharltteR: That's so sweet! What nice questions! I love theater. I started out in theater and musical theater, and I actually would like to do more. I did a play last year at the Pasadena Playhouse called "The Sisters" which was a takeoff of Chekhov's "The 3 Sisters," and I loved it. It's so challenging. It's just hard to do theater when my TV and film career is keeping me so busy right now. I would really like to go to NY one day, hopefully soon, to do theater there. Or Chicago, which is where I'm from, they have great theater.
AOLiveMC13: The next one is from Fph213:
Question: What is a typical day like for you?
CharltteR: Well, today, which isn't really typical, I had a bathing suit photo shoot all day, and I was all stressed because I had to be skinny and tan (LOL) but I had a great time, and then I've been doing lots of publicity for the TV show. I really want people to watch the show. But when I'm not working on my career, I have 2 dogs that I go to the parks and play with a lot. I love to hike, rollerblade on the beach with my friends, I'm single, trying to date in L.A. I watch a lot of movies at the theater and I rent a lot of movies. And I'm currently shooting a movie, too, called "Donuts" for October films, which did my two favorite movies of the year, "Secrets and Lies" and "Breaking the Waves" and I play a woman who finds out her husband's cheating on her. But the fact is, I love to work, and I'm really busy with work, to be honest.
AOLiveMC13: Here is one from Tbird2112:
Question: I just want to say that you were great on "DOOL" and the "Heights" and I wanted to know if you plan on singing in any other shows or any albums?
CharltteR: No, I'm not working on a record album right now. I was working on a record album all during the years I was on "DOOL" and "The Heights," and we actually got a gold record from The Heights, it's so funny. I actually have a gold record on my wall. Do you remember the song, "How do you talk to an angel?" The last time I was shopping for a record deal was when Grunge was really big, in 1991. They said I'd have more of a chance if I shaved my head, came from Seattle, had a nose ring, and wasn't a known actress. So I said "Forget it!" But I love singing, I seem to sing on most TV shows I do. In fact if "Pauly" continues, I know that Dawn's going to have a story about trying to get a record contract. We think it'd be funny if Dawn doesn't know how to sing too well but thinks she can.
AOLiveMC13: Here is a question from CClvyA:
Question: Do you have a fan club address we can write to?
CharltteR: c/o "Pauly", FOX-TV, P.O. Box 900, Beverly Hills, Ca. 90213.
AOLiveMC13: The next one is from RDelgad47:
Question: How do you deal with pressures of media life???
CharltteR: It's not as hard as you think. It's not like I deal with it every day. Although now, if I want to go to the premiere of the movie, I have to be sure I'm dressed in something I don't mind people seeing in the magazines. Which is a bit of pressure because I like to dress as a slob with no makeup, normally. But I don't really stress about it or think about it that much. The only pressure I feel is to look good, healthy, and fit. Which sometimes is a pain, but it's good for me.
AOLiveMC13: The next one is from OneDones:
Question: I have heard that you were trained in Chicago's famed Second City Comedy Troupe. Did you happen to work with actress/comedienne Bonnie Hunt there, who along with you is one of my favorite actresses?
CharltteR: Oh, another good question, thanks. No, I didn't know Bonnie Hunt, although I think she's fabulous. I loved training at 2nd City, and in and around the other theaters in Chicago. It really, at an early age, freed me up for acting both in comedy and drama. My improv training has helped me a lot on this particular show in working with Pauly because he comes from a standup background and I'm never sure what he's going to throw at me. He doesn't always stay on the script, but I think that's really fun, I like to roll with it and play around like that. And by the way, I miss Chicago, Chicago's a great city.
AOLiveMC13: Here is a question from KGraham43:
Question: Do you prefer daytime or nighttime TV?
CharltteR: For my career right now, nighttime. Daytime was a great place to get my start in acting, but primetime's offering me the kind of roles that I want to do right now.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Cleannup:
Question: How did you react when you were offered a prime time spot ??
CharltteR: Well, this is my 3rd series... although I'm always excited and grateful for each project. But now I'm at a point in my career where I really just want the show to continue and I'm thinking about how to better the role, how to better the show, and I really just think about it as a job. Although there are times I turn around and say, "Wow, this is so fun, I'm living out my dreams." So there's lots of times I turn around and realize how lucky and excited I am. But once that goes away, I just have to get to work.
AOLiveMC9: The next question is from Slidude.
Question: What kind of television do you enjoy?
CharltteR: If you're asking me what kind of TV shows I like to watch, I'd have to say I only watch a few TV shows. I don't actually watch that much TV. But I really think "Party of 5" is really good, and I love to watch reruns of Lucille Ball, of course, who's amazing, and I also like David Kelly a lot who's created "Picket Fences" and "The Practice," and I worked for Bochco, who I love, on "Murder One," and I love his show "NYPD Blue," he's a really classy writer and producer. And I watch "Pauly"! I think "Pauly" is the funniest show around!
AOLiveMC9: And Jake6432 wants to know:
Question: What inspired you to act?
CharltteR: I don't know. But I'm one of those people that I don't know if it was a blessing or a curse, but I knew since I was 2 that I wanted to be an actress, and I always had this blind ambition, although I don't know where it really came from. I love the art of acting more than anything else. If I didn't, I wouldn't want to deal with the business side of the acting profession. My parents were worried about me choosing a career as an actress when I was young. It's a very up and down career choice, and not a large guarantee to make money and do well. But once I started doing well, they realized how happy I was, and they're very proud of me now. They now send out newsletters to everyone I know whenever I have a movie or TV show. I hope to be acting when I'm old and gray on the stage somewhere. Or if they'll let older women on screen, on the screen.
AOLiveMC9: SusenMc sends us the next question.
Question: Would you ever go back to the soaps? Not that I would wish that on you personally -- but I'm selfish and I miss your Evil ways. :) You are so funny!
CharltteR: You know what's so amazing to me is that people still talk about Eve and recognize me as Eve everywhere I go. I mean, with no makeup, in the corner of Colorado, "Eve, there you are! What are you doing? Why are you studying the Masi Tribe in Africa?" And what's amazing to me is that I wasn't very nice most of the time. I was conniving and ran over Sarah in my car. But I think the reason people liked me, maybe I was the bitch people loved to hate, was because they always seemed to give me some vulnerability to justify my Evil ways. So the character I'm playing on Pauly is actually very similar. I'm very mean sometimes, and conniving, but most of my intentions are good and harmless. So I hope that the character I'm playing now affects people half as much as Eve did. But at this time I have no plans to go back to the soaps.
AOLiveMC9: LadyMdnyt asks:
Question: How do you feel about the "Heights" having been canceled so quickly? I thought it was great to have a show where you could show your vocal talents.
CharltteR: Oh, that's so sweet, thank you. TV's a weird thing... there's so many new shows now that if you don't get ratings through the roof in your first 5 to 10 episode airings, they turn your back and say let's find something else. I would like to play another character than sings. I'm sure I'll do a movie whether for the big screen or small where I sing. But I am sorry it didn't work out, because it was fun to incorporate my singing on a TV Show. I still play the guitar on my freetime, and sing almost every day, but thanks, maybe I'll sing on this show.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Fph213:
Question: What are your hobbies or interests?
CharltteR: I think I kinda answered that before. When I'm not working, and I can be totally incognito, I like to stay home and cook or sometimes go out and party with my girlfriends.
AOLiveMC13: Here is one from Skrug577:
Question: I'm not sure if this went through so I'm sending it one more time: It was great meeting you at "The Sisters." Do you remember meeting someone backstage who gave you a tape? And did you like it?
CharltteR: Yes, I remember you! I still have the tape, and it's hilarious! You put together all these clips of me and Nick dancing away... kissing away... and it's really fun to pop it in when my girlfriends are over and watch it and laugh. Didn't you want to start a fan club for me? I hope you're doing well. You really are my number one fan!
AOLiveMC13: The next one is from SCARCRW97:
Question: Why don't you make your own show? You are so hot. You can do it and why did you want to be on Pauly's thing?
CharltteR: That's really sweet. Pauly isn't so bad, he's great. And he's great on this show. But thank you, it's very sweet. I shouldn't say this, but I will. If this show doesn't work out, I have plans to do my own show.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from DE03Fan:
Question: Do think Fox gives you more freedom script wise then another network might?
CharltteR: I think the show "Pauly" is perfect for Fox. I don't know if we'd be able to get away with a lot of the jokes that we do on another network. Fox actually has been taking a lot of heat for some of the jokes we have. And I like the fact this show is on Fox. I think we can ultimately get away with more. And for this type of show, we need to get away with a lot. But it would help if people wrote into FOX and told people how much they love the show!
AOLiveMC13: This one is from Stheno666:
Question: Is it true that your original training was for the opera? If so, why did you not pursue it further? And if you could, what role and what opera would you like to do?
CharltteR: I trained opera for 6 years starting when I was 13 years old, and it was great training for any type of singing and acting, really. It taught me to be a little less self-conscious. My coach would make me look in the mirror, make funny faces and funny sounds, and I learned to use my diaphragm in a really strong way. My favorite song to sing was "Summertime" from "Porgy and Bess.".. I haven't sung opera in a long time. In fact when I first started singing in the recording studio, the producers would always tell me to pronunciate less. They could understand what I was saying too well. And I had been trained so specifically, it was almost like I had to reverse my training and sing almost inaudibly. I still listen to opera quite a bit, but I have no plans now to sing any on-stage.
AOLiveMC13: The next one is from Fph213:
Question: What male actor would you most like to work with?
CharltteR: Tom Cruise would be nice! Dustin Hoffman would be a dream come true to work with. Ralph Fiennes is amazing in "English Patient," and blew me away in "Schindler's List." Any of those actors who inspire me when I watch them would be really cool to work with.
AOLiveMC13: Here is one from Slidude:
Question: What was it like working on "Married with Children" with Christina Applegate?
CharltteR: That's so funny, I never talk about that guest spot. It was fun, but I just felt like a bimbo. I had to make out with Bud Bundy who's actually really nice, and Katey Segal had played my mother in an NBC movie, but I love Christina Applegate. She actually did a guest spot on "Pauly" which just aired last week. What's funny is, it was between her and I for her role on "Married with Children" when I was in high school. I remember them saying, "It's gonna be on this new network called Fox", and I was like, "What's that?" She's engaged now and very happy. And always fun to hang out with.
AOLiveMC13: This one is from LadyMdnyt:
Question: What was the most positive thing you brought from your experience with Days, and as well what was not so positive? If nothing to that, what prompted your career move?
CharltteR: Working on the soap was some of the best training I could've ever gotten. Sometimes I'd have to learn 40 pages of dialog a day, cry for hours, get slashed and have a scar... and we'd have to shoot a hundred page script a day. So it was very much like theater. We did scenes completely through without stopping, unlike film. And it really taught me what discipline is all about. Almost every job since daytime has seemed easy in terms of pace. There wasn't anything negative that I got from my experience on daytime. If anything, I just had to prove myself a little bit more, than I wasn't just some pretty blonde from daytime. I actually am and try to be a serious actress, and sometimes film people would have preconceived notions, just because I came from daytime, so I actually had to work a little bit harder sometimes, which wasn't fair. I decided to move on from daytime in 1991 because I didn't want to play the same character every day anymore. It was more of a choice that I wanted to be challenged in a different way, playing a different character, in a different type of format, like a sitcom.
AOLiveMC13: This is from Jake6432:
Question: When did you get into acting?
CharltteR: I got into acting at a very early age. I got my first agent when I was 14. Did my first feature film when I was 16, with Michael Keaton, called "Touch and Go." But don't rent it, I look like an idiot. And I started doing school plays when I was in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. And studying acting everywhere I could...the more you study, the better you become, and that's still true today. I plan on always studying my craft. You can never be a know-it-all as an actress, or anything, really, I guess, in the arts.
AOLiveMC13: Unfortunately, this is our last question tonight and its from Fph213:
Question: If you hadn't gotten into show biz what career would you be doing?
CharltteR: If I hadn't gotten into show biz, I would seek out Jane Goodall, and go to Tanzania, and study the chimpanzees. I think chimpanzees are the most amazing animals on the planet. Do you know they have only 2% less brain capacity as we humans? They go through puberty just like us, and I just think it's just so interesting and her book blew me away. If not that, then just work with animals in some capacity.
AOLiveMC13: Thank you very much for your time. Do you have any last comments for our audience?
CharltteR: I just want to say thank you, I'm very impressed and flattered by all of your questions. Please watch my show if you get a chance. It's on tonight and every Monday night after "Melrose Place" and "Married with Children." I hope you like it, be well, and be happy. Love Charlotte.
AOLiveMC13: Well all good things must come to an end. Thank you to the audience for their great questions and to Charlotte for answering them. Good night and Aloha :)
OnlineHost: Copyright 1997 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.
Thanks to Stacy Krugman for sending me this transcript.