Chat With CC:May 7, 2002
This transcript has been sorted, rearranged and edited so that it could be followed and read more easily. Hope you enjoy it!


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!

Attendee: Last year I had the great opportunity of getting a picture with you and Robert Newman at the hotel where all of the soap stars had the pre-show festivities. Since the venue has changed to Madison Square Garden, I was wondering if the pre-show stuff will be at the same hotel. I love seeing the award show live, but the bets is meeting my favorite soap celebrities in person.
Crystal: You know what. I don't know where they're doing the pre-show. I'm guessing they will do it at Madison Square Garden. That's my guess, anyway.

Attendee: Are you ever gonna do an appearance in Canada?
Crystal: OH, I'd love to come to Canada. I don't know about an appearance, but if you have one, let me know, because I'd love to come! I did an episode of Poltergeist there (Vancouver) and it's beautiful there. It's just gorgeous. We skied at Mt. Whistler. It was just breathtaking.

Attendee: Crystal, would you like your son to be an actor?
Crystal: Only if he REALLY wants to do the work. And not until he's old enough to be able to understand what the process is about, not so much the acting , but the auditioning, because there's a great deal of rejection.

Attendee: Congratulations on your Emmy nomination. Do you think you will come back to Maryland again for the Children's Cancer Foundation function that they have in April?
Crystal: I'd be glad to if they let me know. If they'd like me to come next year, I'd be happy to.

Attendee: I want to know how you compare yourself to "Carly" and "Olivia" -- how are you different and alike?
Crystal: Well, I'm not as nice as "Carly" and not as mean as "Olivia"... LOL... "Carly" was so perfect in my mind and I will never be that perfect. And Olivia... well, (I) would have gone to therapy, but (not) "Olivia". I guess, I'm somewhere in the middle.

Attendee: Hi Crystal, I have been a fan since Days, you're wonderful! Do you have a speech prepared if you win?!
Crystal: Um... LOL... I'm just trying not to overeat between now and then. If I win, I'll have to wing it! LOL. I'm just too nervous to think about it.

Attendee: Hi Crystal, I was wondering who your favorite female/male actress is to work with on GL?
Crystal: Oh gosh. I haven't been able to work with as many as I'd like, but for those I've worked with, I've so enjoyed working with Laura Wright and Ron Raines... one of the funniest men I've ever met. Quite frankly, Ron has ruined it for anyone else, because he's just so wonderful to work with.

Attendee: I just wanted to congratulate you again on your nomination! My question is, how does a typical Emmy day go for a soap star? Oh yeah, don't forget us in your acceptance speech!
Crystal: Thank you! I'm probably going to get a pedicure because I'm insecure about those things. And someone is coming to the house to do my hair and makeup. And my big splurge is having a limo for the night. And no, I would never forget to mention you guys!

Attendee: Weird little question... Crystal, who chooses the actor who is interviewed in the soap mags -- I'm referring to the recent SOW blurb on the mudfight... you were the person interviewed, who made that decision that you would give "Olivia's" side of things over RR, LW, or BC?
Crystal: Hmmm... good question. I don't know who makes that decision. I know that I've been asked to do interviews on some things and then sometimes they throw in questions about other things. So, it might have just been being in the right place at the right time.

Attendee: How is your cabin coming along? Congrats on your Emmy nomination!
Crystal: Thank you. It's coming along great. Michael's doing all the work and he's doing a great job. It should be ready for us to get into by the end of June. I'm looking forward to it.

Attendee:Crystal, I'm sorry to hear about your spider bite! How are you gonna celebrate after you win (the Emmy)?
Crystal: Um... yeah, it took a chunk out of my forehead. It's noticeable. It's still healing. It's going to require some plastic surgery. It looks like a cluster of pockmarks where my third eye would be. That's the reason for the bangs. The plastic surgery will be a process... it will be starting in late fall/early winter because it takes that long for (the bite) to really heal. I've got a limo with a bar in it, so I'm celebrating win or lose!!!
Attendee: My, my, a mobile party... great way to paint the town red!
Crystal: Ha ha ha..... there ya go!

Attendee: Any romantic possibilities for Olivia coming up? What's going on with the storyline in the future?
Crystal: They're being so quiet about stories. I do know that a lot of new stories will be starting in June. I don't know if that means it will air in June or tape in June. I honestly have no clue as to where they're taking this character (Olivia), so I'll be as surprised as you guys are.

Attendee: Are you working more now? More than once or twice a week?
Crystal: The average is about two times a week. It picks up a little more at the end of May. If there's a story, then I'm sure I'll be working more. That's all I can give ya, ...unfortunately.

Attendee: Will there still be a GL after the anniversary in June? Cancellation rumours are rampant.
Crystal: I've heard those rumors online... but, I don't believe them. If anything, there will be budget cuts, because the show still makes a great deal of money. So, I just don't believe the rumors. Although, I understand why people would think that that could happen.

Attendee: I want to know if it's true that Brad Cole is leaving?
Crystal: I have no idea what Bradley is doing. I think that he's very valuable to the show so it would be a huge loss. But again, they're being very tightlipped about the story.

Attendee: Will there be another fan club gathering (for Crystal's Circle of Friends)?
Crystal: Yes, there will be. On the weekend (of the GLFC weekend), probably on Saturday.

Attendee: Do you watch the show (GL)? Do you critique your acting?
Crystal: I do watch the show, and sure, I have a reaction to my own work... I'm my own worst critic. I watch it mainly to see what everyone else is doing.
Crystal: What do you all think of the show?
Attendee: I personally think the show has improved.
Attendee: I love Guiding Light. I have been watching it since I was about 15 and I think you are fabulous. Really, you have great presence on the show and I love the dynamics with you and Reva, and now (with) Cassie.
Attendee: I look forward to "Olivia's" storyline very much... she should run for political office.
Crystal: What other stories do you like to watch?
Attendee: I like "Olivia" and "Alan", but she doesn't really need a man, ya know?
Crystal: On a soap opera, you do!! Otherwise, you have to argue with yourself and you become crazy!
Attendee: LOL, Crystal!... *I* say, "Liv" WITH a man is MUCH more interesting!
Attendee: I like "Gus" & "Harley".
Attendee: I have always liked "Harley's" character and I love her with Gus.

Attendee: Crystal, do you have any pets?
Crystal: I have no pets right now. I have a two-year-old! That's about all I can handle!
Attendee: I have an 8 month old, I don't know how you do it. I've become a stay at home mom!f
Crystal: It's the hardest job in the world. Michael spent three days doing demolition work in the cabin... then spent three hours with Jake... and said it was the hardest work he ever did!

Attendee: Hey Crystal, a little off the subject but I love the last name Sabatino... is it (of) Italian descent?
Crystal: Yes, and it means the Sabbath.

Attendee: What is "Olivia" wearing when she falls into the mud... something washable, I hope?
Crystal: I wear a Charlie's Angel's white suite... very 70's... and yeah, you get it... white suit... mud... and it's RUINED! ("Cassie") is in something very Ann Taylor-ish.
Attendee: ... so "Princess Cassie" will be in frills and ribbons and mean old "Olivia" is in a business suit.
Crystal: That's right... but Olivia's right about this... about the hotel. And the hotel gets done in time for a wedding... in June. And of course, I'm at the wedding.
Attendee: A weeeeeddddddinnnnnng... it must be JEVA.
Attendee: Oh I'm sure "Olivia" will be THRILLED to watch JEVA do it all over again...
Attendee: She'd better take her therapist as her date... forget Alan.
Crystal: She'd eat a therapist and spit him out!
Attendee(s): LOLOLOL

Attendee: Do you go hiking up in the Catskills?
Crystal: You know, we just got there and we've been working on our cabin, but we look forward to hiking there and we have ten acres that we romp around on.

Attendee: Will we see Sam, again?
Crystal: I don't know if we'll see Sam again. I hope so. I love having a brother on the show. Although, having her be alone is rather appropriate right now. The whole idea is that she's trying hard to fight off any loving feelings... That said, of course her punishment will be that she will fall in love.

Attendee: I think you are the best actress, and hope to meet you one day at an appearance. I have been watching you since you first started on Days?
Crystal: Well, thank you. I hope to meet you, too.

Attendee: I was just wondering if you could share your funniest blooper on Guiding Light.
Crystal: Ha ha... um... I had more bloopers on OLTL than anywhere else. I had a speech that I couldn't figure out. I had no idea what it meant... so I just kept begging them to (let me) say it in Spanish, and I don't speak Spanish... but that's about as far as I go with this particular show. It's a one-take show. You got one take, you try to do it right. This is the only show I've worked on where it's like this... so there are fewer bloopers.

Attendee: Is anything interesting going to happen with "Olivia's" renewed attraction to "Richard"?
Crystal: Oh gosh... you know... I hope so. I know I have some scenes coming up with him, where he tells me I've changed... and uh... he's the only person who really understands why ("Olivia") became as bitter as she is, because he knew her when she was different. And she tells him that he made a big mistake when he let her go for "Reva" or for "Cassie"... but we all know "Olivia" thinks highly of herself... and people like that are just overcompensating. Come on!

Attendee: I don't suppose that "Olivia" has any past secrets from her Richard or pre-Richard days that might come up?
Crystal: I'm sure she does. I have no idea what they are. I don't know exactly what story is coming up, but I'm sure she'll get her punishment (falling in love with someone) at some point... and I'm sure she'll mess that up too... LOL.
Attendee: I'd like to know more about what made her the way she is, her motives for the b*tch factor. She's an incredibly lonely woman and she has no self-confidence when it comes to being lovable. It's sad, but she has very low self-esteem, not to mention that everyone treated her so badly even when she wasn't doing anything bad. That would piss you off too... I mean, even when she was with Josh and wasn't doing those things, she was being treated badly.

Attendee: Hi, I'm the admin of LauraAddicts and I want to tell Crystal that I am enjoying her (work) with Laura.
Crystal: Thanks... Laura's a friend of mine and I feel so lucky to be working with her in a rival situation. Sometimes, that can get personal, so it's fun with a friend. It's fun to be nasty on camera and then we just laugh when it's over.

Attendee: How often do you work out? You look great after having Jake!
Crystal: I try to do yoga three times a week.... and I hope I get to eat again one day!! I mean, the kind of food I want to eat! ...cheeseburgers, french fries, fried chicken... mashed potatoes, gravy... fettuccini alfredo...
Attendee: What is your favorite food?
Crystal: I love pasta.
Crystal: This is how I enjoy myself... thinking of food... just saying the words make me feel good. I can almost taste them.
Attendee: You're so funny ! You do eat, don't you?
Crystal: I eat very healthy, which is a good thing, but I could be very happy being ten pounds heavier, but it doesn't look good on camera.
Attendee: What's the best diet advice you can give?
Crystal: You need to find something that relaxes you in your life, whether it be yoga or meditation, because speaking for myself, I overeat because I'm trying to comfort myself, not because I'm hungry.

Attendee: Crystal, do you keep in touch with your former co-stars from Days?
Crystal: Not directly, but I sort of keep abreast of what's going on.

Attendee: Crystal, you have such heart and soul for your characters! You make me laugh, cry, and cheer all at the same time! What is your magic?
Crystal: I think any character should have something that triggers their vulnerability, but it really all comes down to the writing.

Attendee: Crystal, who's the actual head writer now? Is it Millie (Taggert)?
Crystal: They're co-headwriting... Millie and Lucky... and they read along with PR and MADD all the Internet boards.

Attendee: Crystal, thanks for spending time with us. I hope I have a chance to meet you again, someday, maybe next Friday at the (Emmy) show. I'll be cheering for you!!!
Crystal: Thanks. I'm just... you know... hoping I don't trip on my dress! I got a two-piece dress, so my stomach will show... and the big joke is that I'll inhale before the show and maybe I will get to exhale after the show.

Attendee: How many hours a day do you tape for?
Crystal: It can be anywhere from 6 to 10 hours... it just depends on how much material you have that day and where you are on the schedule.

Attendee: Crystal, how are you going to wear your hair (to the Emmys)? Up?
Crystal: Well, my hair is short... you haven't seen it yet. It's shorter than you have seen it on the show... it's as short as it was when I came on the show. So, it will be down, very simple.

Attendee: Have you been watching the Osbournes on MTV? The last one is tonight.
Crystal: No, I haven't seen it yet. I hear it's great.

Attendee: Do you and Kim Z get along well?
Crystal: I like Kim. I think she's an awesome actress.

Attendee: Crystal, The Dark Prince Board members (David Andrew MacDonald/Edmund board) wanted me to tell you that you've got some really supportive, enthusiastic fans there!
Crystal: Tell them I said thanks... that's definitely a story they could tell... what "Edmund" and "Olivia" must have had going at one time!

Crystal: Hey, this has been great... let's do it again soon when I can tell you something about the story. I feel sort of bad coming into this, not having anything really to tell you storyline-wise. Thank you all for the wonderful gift of that book (congratulating me on the Emmy nomination and wishing me well), and the support you give me.
Attendee(s): Good luck, Crystal. You're awesome. We love ya, Crystal! Bye!
Crystal: I feel the same about everyone and think you are awesome, too! Go eat and sleep! Bye!

Moderator: Thanks to Crystal for joining us tonight, and thanks to all of you for making this great chat possible!