Chat With CC:July 27, 2000 (with Robert Newman)
This chat was hosted by SoapCity.com in their Yahoo! chat room. The transcript has been sorted/rearranged so that it could be followed and read more easily.


Crystal: Hello hello! Thanks for coming... go ahead and ask me anything you want! I'm just so grateful that you came... interested in hearing what you have to say.

Attendee: Crystal, I'm looking forward to the "mudfight" scene later this week. How did you like filming that?? :)
Crystal: I liked it better than I thought I would. I was probably a pig in my former life. It was fun because Laura Wright and I are friends so we just had a great time. It was a lot of fun. And, amazingly enough, our skin was really beautiful the next day... it was the softest, glowing skin... and I'm not kidding!
Robert Newman: Hello Fans. This is Robert Newman. I'm here, I'm happy. Life is wonderful in NY. The kids are great. Britt is great. Life is great.

Q: How have Claire Labine's scripts been the last few weeks? Is Labine writing some wonderful material?
Robert Newman: Yes, I've been dealing with their material since I got back from vacation three weeks ado, and I'm just having some fun. There's some great stuff involving Crystal's other half, Michael Sabatino. Some lovely things happening between Josh and Olivia I might add, including the bubble bath thing but we won't get too much into that right now.
Crystal Chappell: Yes, absolutely. Generally speaking I read the scripts from beginning to end, they're very well structured and character driven and the fans really appreciate that.

Q: Crystal - I wanted to slap Olivia today when she tricked Josh into calling Leo. Will we continue to see this devious side of Olivia?
Crystal Chappell: Sure, but I think that's one of her finer qualities. She does mean well but we can't all be perfect. Have to keep that story interesting. I wouldn't want to be her but it's fun to play her.

Q: Robert, did you like the storyline where you planned the rescue of Reva from Richard's castle?
Robert Newman: I liked the aftermath of that story. It was fun to go to Puerto Rico, it was fun to scale the walls. That was your basic boys with toys story. But the aftermath involving the deconstruction of the Lewis family was much more interesting. There were scenes that reminded me of my family and it was good. That's what we do best on soap operas. The kind of real life story. The other stuff, the super hero stuff, that's fun too, but I really like the real life story.

Q: Crystal, how would you respond to your fans who prefer to see you in the romantic heroine role like you played on Days and somewhat on OLTL?
Crystal Chappell: This is a challenge for me too, it's hard to play this kind of character without judging her. Still, as an actress I am discovering strengths and weaknesses in my craft. Now that the storyline is getting more character driven, the fans should enjoy her more, even if it is to dislike her more.

Q: Crystal, what was your favorite character to play, Carly, Maggie, or Olivia and why?
Robert Newman: I liked playing Olivia best (Laughter)
Crystal Chappell: Honestly I feel Carly was my most accomplished role because of the amount of material. This is something different for me, I'm still figuring out who Olivia is so I'm excited by the possibilities in it.

Q: Will Josh ever regain control of Lewis Oil?
Robert Newman: I don't know. I really don't know where they're going to go on the business side. I can't really figure out how he lost control. I'm not sure if he ever really had control. I think he'll be working with Lewis Construction for a while. He could be a policeman, he could be a fire chief, who knows where he'll be in a year?
Crystal Chappell: Lewis Construction is gonna be huge!

Q: Crystal, is there any chance that Reva and Olivia will come to terms and be friends again?
Crystal Chappell: The whole basis for her antagonism with Reva is that she's so wounded that a girlfriend could turn on her. I kind of doubt a renewed friendship, maybe a mutual acceptance for a while, but they should be buttin' heads again in the future.

Q: Robert - Are you still playing the soccer coach for your son's team?
Robert Newman: No. I've done my soccer coaching. We've signed him on to a more regional team for which I won't be able to coach. But I will coach again. This year I'll coach him in just baseball. But he'll be off playing soccer with a REAL coach. But I'll be on the sidelines just cheering him on. But he's a great player and I just love him.

Q: I think deep down Olivia knows that Josh is still in love with his wife...how far will Liv go to keep them apart?
Crystal Chappell: I think she's in denial about that love, in her mind she sees him moving on without that relationship and she wants to help him do that and will do whatever she can to help him do that because she thinks she is doing the right thing.

Q: Robert, what did you think of the clone storyline?
Robert Newman: Everybody's got this 20/20 hindsight on this storyline. As we were doing it, I committed to it 100% as I do on this show. I've seen a lot of weird stories, The Dreaming Death" comes to mind. The infinity storyline. This story was very difficult for Kim-and it was nuts but there were some good scenes that happened out of it and life went on.
Crystal Chappell: I was watching the OJ trial and switched over to GL because I had heard about this clone story line. So it got me watching.
Robert Newman: I loved the people that I was working with. The man who played the doctor. And working heavily with Laurie Wright. And Joie Lenz playing Reva at 17 years old. Overall, it doesn't really fit in with the family oriented character and emotionally driven scenes Guiding Light has been known for in its 63 year history. But for what it was it was different.

Q: Hi Crystal, congrats on baby Jake!
Crystal Chappell: Thanks!

Q: I just loved the cocktail party...do you think Josh has been noticing how mature Reva has been acting since their separation?
Crystal Chappell: Sure!
Robert Newman: I think I was getting ready to go on vacation that day. I don't remember...
Crystal Chappell: Is Josh threatened by Noah?
Robert Newman: Heck, no! Heck, no!

Q: Crystal, how is it working with Michael again?
Crystal Chappell: Oh, it's great working with him. I'm very comfortable with him and I think he's a wonderful actor and I get paid to work with my husband.

Q: Will Olivia and Vince pair up?
Crystal Chappell: Well, I dunno. She's trying to break them up with this information, but I dunno.

Q: What inspired you to begin acting in the wonderful world of soaps?
Crystal Chappell: That's all I wanted to do! I'd been watching since childhood and really didn't aspire to anything else so I pursued it and I got lucky and landed a role.

Q: Do you guys ever watch the shows that you tape?
Crystal Chappell: Sure, I watch.
Robert Newman: I think I find it, for me, personally, I think it's better for me not to watch it. I think it would make me self conscious.
Crystal Chappell: That's too bad, cause your really good right now!
Robert Newman: But I catch a lot of it on the monitor when it's being shot. A lot of other stories. And I read the script. I kind of keep up with things.

Q: Robert, are you anything like the character you play? Josh is so kind and easygoing.
Robert Newman: I'm such a jerk! (laughs)
Crystal Chappell: He is one of the sweetest men on the planet!

Q: Do any of you hang out with any of the other people on the show after work?
Robert Newman: I play golf with Kurt McKinney from time to time, and with Frank. I used to live next door from Michael O'Leary. I'm going to see Kim/Reva's show in NJ. The show is High Spirits. A musical version of Blithe Spirit. And I understand from the internet that she got fabulous reviews.
Crystal Chappell: I can't stand them...kidding of course. It's a good group of people, but most of the hanging out goes on at the set, not outside. Lunch, etc.
Robert Newman: And in the gym. Sometimes it's like Gold's Gym in there, it's so crowded!
Crystal Chappell: On Friday's when we do the body exfoliating.

Q: Crystal, do many fans confuse the nasty Liv with your real life persona and how do you handle that?
Crystal Chappell: Not to my face! I've never been slapped in a supermarket or wherever. There are people who do cross that line and insult me instead of the character but I chalk that up to people just getting a little too worked up about the storyline.

Q: Robert, you and Kim Zimmer have been on the soap for a long time, did you feel it was time to separate yourself from one another?
Robert Newman: I don't know. I don't think it was ever discussed with the writers or producers or anything. I don't feel as though the characters have been together in the past several years. They've spent much more time apart then together. I supposed you could argue he was with Cleva (Reva clone) But if you break down the actual time that Josh and Reva have been together in the past years, it's been minimal. I think as far as the story goes, I think they just needed to go away and breathe and be with someone else.

Q: Crystal, how are handling things living in the world of sleep deprivation?
Crystal Chappell: You know everyone looks good to me. I suppose everyone else is doing well because of my sleep deprivation. Seriously, I'm doing great. I'm getting used to it.
Robert Newman: She's doing quite well.
Crystal Chappell: I was telling Ron Raines something the other day and I started off on this tangent that made entirely no sense and perhaps the lack of sleep had something to do with it. I'm having these "moments".

Q: What advice would you give to people interested in pursuing a career in television?
Robert Newman: One of the first pieces of advice I got from an acting teacher in college was if there is anything else you can do, do it. Because there are people who make it and people who don't. You can be waiting tables and doing community college for ten years and never make it. But I ignored that and most people will. I believe in a strong, strong, foundation, and I believe in theater naturally. You will learn discipline and great technique.

Q: Crystal, I first remember you on OLTL - I went to NY right when you left the show, what happened to you-did you break up with Max?
Crystal Chappell: I left him high 'n' dry. Carly and Maggie both headed off to Paris, for different reasons of course. How many actors can say that one of their characters headed off for juggling school...Anyway, it's all up to the writers. In the end, Maggie had three different head writers and just got bounced around directionally, so it was time to go.

Q: Besides Reva, which female actress did you enjoy the most being romantically involved with?
Robert Newman: Besides Reva and OLIVIA!!! I believe Josh is still in love with Harley. That's my thought. Every time I work with Beth, I kinda joke about it. I kind of look at her and SIGH and she laughs. It was only six months because I was leaving the show, but it was great! Cynthia was great. Everyone was great!
Crystal Chappell: Why don't they put Josh and Harley together?

Q: Robert - What is your favorite storyline?
Robert Newman: My answer has always been the wheelchair back when Pamela was writing the show. I loved when Josh was bad that first year but I loved the wheelchair storyline, though. My favorite day of shooting ever was Josh and Reva's first wedding. The fountain. I just sat there. That was her show. The day we shot on location, little Ashley who was playing Marah, Wanda was there. I just thought it was one of the best days I have ever had on the show.

Q: Crystal, when you first started on the show, who made you feel the most welcomed right off?
Crystal Chappell: Amy Ecklund. She just sat down next to me one day and asked me, "how are you doing?" She's a lovely lady and it is sad that she's not there. The hectic nature of things makes it hard for that cast to connect that when we do it's very pleasant.

Q: Crystal there was a rumor that you were upset that Claire Labine was coming to GL because you hate how she wrote for your character on OLTL. Also that she was the reason you left. Was there any truth to these apparent rumors of a feud between you and Claire?
Crystal Chappell: She and I have never feuded and I don't know from where that started, in fact we exchanged parting gifts when I left. I feel very blessed to have performed her writing and she's also a great person. Our relationship had nothing to do with why I left the show.

Q: With what actor or actress would you like to work with, on or outside of GL?
Crystal Chappell: I've kind of been in this Josh/Reva world for awhile and that's great but it helps to go and work with other people in the ensemble to get a better sense of what it's all about and get to know your character better. I love working with Ron Raines and would love to do more of that, sure. Overall it's a really talented cast and to work with them all would be splendid.
Robert Newman: I agree about the talent of the cast. Whenever I work with someone outside the storyline I'm in, it's a joy. I've had some scenes with Patty that were a hoot. And I had some scenes with Justin and they were great. Even scenes recently with Maureen that were great. I have tremendous respect...it's great, it's a different dynamic and great fun. Kurt I can't work with with a straight face because we're friends outside...

Q: What are the most difficult scenes to do?
Crystal Chappell: Initially it's the love scenes but once you get used to them!!! There's a definite phase in the beginning where you have to get over the awkwardness but things are cookin' now.
Robert Newman: For me it's...I adore scenes that really have to do with hard emotional truth. What I find difficult are days with the Bauer barbeque and my line's "the burgers are in". That's like toothpicks under my fingernails. I bring a book and try to remain calm and remember how much I'm being paid. When the character doesn't have a point of view, that's difficult. There are days when you get a script and there's no point of view. I find when there's clarity, it's great.

Q: Crystal...Happy Birthday - tv commercial says August 4th is the hottest day of the year!
Crystal Chappell: Thank you. Well you know, my parents planned it that way...

Q: Are either of you making any personal appearances?
Crystal Chappell: I'm making one and it's with Robert somewhere in New York in September.
Robert Newman: It's in Buffalo, NY at a Women's Expo or something like that on September 9th, a Saturday. Josh and Olivia will be there.
Crystal Chappell: We'll be discussing healthy relationships.
Robert Newman: I'll be at the Hilton Head Celebrity Golf tournament on Labor Day weekend. On Sat. I will be at Verona, NJ at the Turning Stone Casino. Hanging with Alan Sugarman and that crowd. Beth Chamberlain will be at that one.

Q: Crystal, are you planning any photo shoots for the soap magazines with you and Michael and Jacob?
Crystal Chappell: I don't have anything planned at the moment but there could be something coming up.

Q: Which scenes are the most emotional/funniest?
Robert Newman: Well, we just laughed a lot in the bathtub. (laughter) Squeaking around...we were laughing but they were grumbling. Emotionally, all the scene with the kids are difficult. That whole divorce, it pushes too many buttons with me. Brings things home. Not from recently, but from my childhood.
Crystal Chappell: There have been so many, especially dealing with loss, in a human sense. They are draining but they are wonderful to do at the same time. Getting swept up in these extreme situation is very cathartic as well.

Q: What has happened to Mindy and Trish?
Robert Newman: I assume they're off in Europe somewhere. There's often talk about bringing Mindy back. They certainly have many to choose from if they want to bring Mindy's from before. But Mindy and Trish are just not on the canvas these days.

Q: Crystal- Who is your biggest supporter in your acting career?
Crystal Chappell: My husband. I have the utmost respect for him as an actor and director and I love to get his input. He's always been supportive and encouraging. Whenever I seek advice or input he is always there.

Q: Crystal are you going to be someone like Edmund or Carmen?
Crystal Chappell: No. The word from Ms. Labine is that Olivia is going to be much more human. As a businesswoman she has her own set of rules about how to get things done and she really can't separate her business tactics from her personal ones.

Q: How many pages of scripts do you memorize a day?
Robert Newman: Really, 20-25 or so. I often hear soap opera actors say "oh 40 pages a day". But the entire script is only around 70. If you figure you have a third of the script, it's only 20. I've had many days when I've had more. Sometimes we shoot two shows back to back. 50 pages or more and that will really wear you down. It's not really the number of pages. You can have 5 pages that are hard to remember.
Crystal Chappell: Six is my limit! More than that and I am a mess! When I was on Days I was dealing with 40 pages a day, it was a bit much. Now a heavy day is 16-20 pages, it depends on the material whether or not it's hard to remember or not. If it's clear you don't have a problem memorizing.

Q: Hi, Crystal. I live in Israel, and they don't show GL here, but I saw you on "One Life to Live", and you did there a wonderful work. Is it true you're friends with Bobbie Eakes (Macy, "The Bold and the Beautiful")? How is she in real life?
Crystal Chappell: Thank you. Bobbie and I are friends and she is very down to earth, funny with a beautiful heart and she's an extremely talented singer. A good ole southern girl.

Q: Robert, do you let your children watch the show?
Robert Newman: Of course not. It is not made for them. And I don't really encourage other people to let their children watch the show. It's not really the audience it's made for. It's not for an 8-year old. I don't go out of my way to keep them from watching it. I don't think that they're really interested in it. I do get people who say to me "Oh, little 6-year-old Jimmy watches it every day" and I think of that shower scene we did the day before.
Crystal Chappell: I agree with Robert. I started watching soaps in high school but earlier than that I really don't know about that.

Q: Greetings! Long time watch (20+years) If you could change your character in anyway, what would you do?
Crystal Chappell: Well, at the risk of limiting my story possibilities, I think that I would have her make her world about more than just Josh. She should have her shoot from the hip more, but in terms of the story it's necessary that she is who she is.
Robert Newman: Well, I've really enjoyed the more recent trend that he's become somewhat more of himself. But I also want to answer it more in a bigger sense. About men in general in soap operas. Often men are written as just "darn stupid". And often weak. And I don't think that people want to see weak men with these female characters. I don't think the public goes for it, you make a character look stupid and it just takes the wind out of their sails. Just across the board make them more smart. And more cleavage! Guys with their shirts off and all that stuff.

Robert Newman: Thank you and goodbye to all those crazy, crazy online fans. Thank you for watching, and thank you for the emails. And thanks for everything. A week from Friday, I think Claire and her material airs and I'll look forward to the feedback and what people feel.
Crystal Chappell: Thanks for being a part of this and keep watching and I hope you enjoy what you see!

Moderator: RN and CC, ladies and gentlemen! Thanks to Robert and Crystal for joining us tonight, and thanks to all of you for making this great chat possible! Robert and Crystal have left the metaphorical building... :-)