Chat With CC: January 30, 2008
The following are highlights from our recent online chat with Crystal. It has been sorted, rearranged and edited for easier reading. Enjoy!


CRYSTAL: Hello! I'm glad to be here talking to you. Let's do it. Let's talk about the show!

QUESTION: Hi Crystal, just want to say I love your current sorry line...I was wondering what you personally think of your storyline right now?

CRYSTAL: I like the storyline. The objective of the story is not to have any definitive bad guy. What they're striving for is to have three people with very clear needs, trying to work through it. I like it because Olivia is not just this outside agent.... she has real reasons for needing Gus, not only wanting him but needing him around. It doesn't change her tactics, but at least I think she's been a better person throughout this ordeal than she normally has. So, it's fun for me to play and there's some really cool stuff coming up.

QUESTION: Hi, Crystal! I gotta know... what has been your most favorite and least favorite storylines written for you on GL so far?

CRYSTAL: My most favorite was the Alan-Phillip-Olivia triangle, written by Millee Taggart and Carolyn Culliton. My least favorite was the rape storyline...was it or wasn't it? I don't know what the hell happened...the mystery story.

CRYSTAL: About the rape storyline. It was just so vague. And I'd like to clarify that I Never go in and demand anything. I loved working with Brad and Kim. I don't know if they were concerned I was leaving, or what, but it became so offensive to me that I took some letters of people who shared their story with me and I shared my own story with Ellen Wheeler and she really took it to heart. And she ended it. I just asked for clarification. If it wasn't rape, fine. If it was rape, I didn't want to go after my rapist. I was fine with whatever they decided.

QUESTION: Have you been pre-nommed ... What category did you go for?

CRYSTAL: I'm pre-nommed in lead. I haven't seen the list. I don't know who exactly who got the go-ahead. I know that Kim didn't submit this year, which is a tragedy really. Not much of a race without her in there.

QUESTION: I was reading some spoilers today, without giving any away, please tell me we are going to see Olivia give Natalia some major s%$#

CRYSTAL: LOL...Olivia is trying to keep them from getting married period! And, yes, she does use her illness, but she also feels that, and says to Natalia, "you're living in the past and you're pulling him in falsely as much as I am", but she's straight with Natalia and says "I want Gus", to which Natalia, fearing that Olivia will spoil her wedding day , locks her in the bathroom, with her beeper in her mouth, so when the call comes for the heart, it's essentially that Natalia basically is sending her to her grave. I can't go into much more, but Gus will be spending more time with Olivia and actually starting to enjoy it.

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the new shooting styles and less scriptage to memorize and have you taped any scenes outside yet?

CRYSTAL: I taped the opening outside. I really like the new format. The sets are amazing. We're still fine-tuning everything. Meaning...lighting, audio...uh...but the stuff in the studio should look really good. And, Peapack is a great little town. It has the feel of a town like Springfield. It's just much more intimate and real. I think collectively, the cast really likes the change. And, it's also cheaper to make, so that gives us a good chance of being renewed in September. Btw, I have no intention of leaving the show!

QUESTION: If given the opportunity would you ever consider going back to Days to portray Carly Manning?

CRYSTAL: Oh...ya know...sure. I loved the character, but people probably know that shows are downsizing their casts, so I don't know how realistic that is.

QUESTION: First of all, I love your work on GL. It's just great. Yay for you not leaving!! That would be devastating! My question is Who do you enjoy working with on GL the most?

CRYSTAL: Oh, really a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. I think I have my most fun with Kim. She and I get along really well. I have great respect for her and it's a very giving relationship on camera, and Reva needs someone to give her trouble, and I love those kinds of relationships on soaps...the arch-enemies.

QUESTION: Your airtime has been disappointing to say the least. Will you ever be on more than one day a week for any length of time?

CRYSTAL: LOL, I hope so. I have a feeling that when the show is renewed - and that's about the time my contract expires - all actors are asked to take a pay cut, a decrease in salary, so I'll probably work more after that, and that's perfectly fine, BTW. We make a crapload of money so nobody should be sorry for us taking a paycut.

QUESTION: Did you like working with Peter Reckell? I loved Bo & Carly together!!!

CRYSTAL: I Love working with Peter. It was a beautiful love story. Tragic in a lot of ways, but a lot of fun to play ... Amazing that it was that long ago,...before my resistant grays. LOL

QUESTION: What was it like acting with Peter Reckell on Days And what was it like working on Days?

CRYSTAL: It was wonderful working on Days. It was a great love story. It was my first big job. They wrote me a great character. And I loved the story between Bo and Carly. It was one of my favorites.

QUESTION: Do you think we will get to see a real love story between Olivia and Gus? The set up is certainly there..

CRYSTAL: I think that's the intention, although Natalia is going to continue to be such a negative energy in Olivia's life, first costing her her life basically, and then belittling the reality that Olivia has to leave her child behind. Natalia is a little too eager to take over... Olivia, with nothing left to lose - she's dying anyway - what's to stop her from making sure Natalia doesn't get hers before she kicks the bucket? But yes, I Think that there will be a genuine love story with Gus & Olivia. I think that I can almost, with certainty say, that you won't be disappointed in what happens with Liv and Gus.

QUESTION: Oh gosh, I hope this means that Olivia and Gus hit the sheets...might not be good for a bad heart...but good God what a way to go...

CRYSTAL: LOL...there's very little that I change in story, but there have been a couple of occasions where they've wanted me to be in some seductive attire and I just kept thinking, there's being manipulative and there's sinking to a repulsive low, so I didn't wear the wardrobe that was scripted. And they were very supportive of that, BTW. I wanted to keep her intentions toward Gus more pure. Who wouldn't fall for a man like him? It's helping her through one of the worst nightmares of her life.

QUESTION: Any progress on your writing projects lately?

CRYSTAL: Oh...thanks for asking. Kind of difficult to sell anything right now, both with the writers strike and the housing market. Fortunately, we're not selling a house now, but my writing partner and I are working on things and [Soap Opera] Digest is doing a feature on that...my writing partner and I and what we're working on.

QUESTION: Did you enjoy Working with Scott Groff? [Young Shawn Douglas on DOOL]

CRYSTAL: Oh my God...I didn't even remember his name. Oh, yeah,...he was a cutie. Wonder where he is.

COMMENT: I think that Gus and Olivia are going to an awesome couple if given the chance!

COMMENT: are you aware they were already voted favorite couple two weeks in a row in soap digest?

COMMENT: Gus is good for Olivia!!

COMMENT: Jessica is doing a good job playing Natalia she's nice.

CRYSTAL: Isn't it great? It's one of the reasons I like this story. Because I'm usually on the other end of it, but Jessica is a good sport to be willing to play some of the dark parts.

QUESTION: since only Ava, Natialia, and Gus know about Olivia’s illness, do you personally think that Emma should be told about Olivia illness as well since Olivia has a chance of dying?? would you want your kids to know if you were in that situation?

CRYSTAL: That's a good question. There's actually a show coming up where Emma asks about death and where people go, totally related to something else. And Olivia shares what she knows with her child. I think at this point Olivia is trying to come to terms with what's happening to her, and at some point, she will tell her, but she's only seven. That's really young. I have a seven year old. But Emma does see her mom becoming weaker and asks about that. Olivia is just trying to keep a good face for her child right now.

QUESTION: Hi Crystal, long time no see! Just wondering how many frequent flier miles you've amassed now... LOL, jk. But seriously, I missed seeing you in NY last Oct., will you reschedule your get together or just wait until this Oct.? Also, it's nice to hear that there will most likely be a Liv and Gus story, but what about those Philip rumors? Sorry for the multiple questions...

CRYSTAL: 689,000! In the past two years...probably over 700,000... and that's only on one airline and I fly on three... but I've become a huge lover of flying. I would love for Phillip to come back and especially if it were Grant. Selfishly, I would love for our two characters to get together again, but even if not, the character is just pivotal to the show, so many stories, so many characters. As for the get-together, I don't know yet. We'll definitely have one this year, but I'm trying to stay on top of my scheduling. It's been a weird year.

QUESTION: Any hope for a Bill and Olivia reunion since Daniel has returned? I know there are many Bilivia fans out there. But to be honest I am really liking the story with Gus so I am rooting for you 100%. BTW, Jana from the Czech Republic couldn't be with us but she says hello!

CRYSTAL: Well, you never know. I think that Ellen really likes, and has had in mind, the whole Danny/Marcy combo. And, I like them together. It would be great for us to be business adversaries or business partners, but here I am writing my own story..LOL It's the writer in me.

QUESTION: Out of all the men Olivia has been paired with, which one was your favorite?

CRYSTAL: I get paid to kiss a lot of really hot guys, and I'm not going to be some ungrateful sh*t and pick one out of the crowd. LOL I'd go through with a story with all of them again.

QUESTION: I find the Billivia interaction interesting because of the role reversal now that Bill is darker than Olivia.

CRYSTAL: That's what makes it interesting, and her illness has made her have a different perspective and having a child to take care of, and Bill's suffering from some big wounds, so it could be really interesting. I'm curious about how Jeffrey would react.

QUESTION: Sorry my question is off topic from the questions so far, but Now that the Find Your Light Hands On thingy has ended, will there be any type of actor appearances to further promote the show? Meaning similar to what was done this past year.

CRYSTAL: I haven't heard anything, but I doubt that we'll go out monthly, but we will be doing more charity work…. and BTW, it's been one of the best things that's happened in my life, to be introduced to this kind of work and different people and organizations.

QUESTION: I was going to ask about Bill and Olivia getting back together as well. I thought you two were very cute together. If Days every approached you to bring back the role of Carly would you consider it?

CRYSTAL: Mitch, yeah, sure, although I really wanna see GL continue for many more years and I really like my storyline. I like Olivia a lot. She's really multidimensional. And they give me a lot of support and respect. They trust my instincts. It's a nice place to be, and like I said, I'm not the most expensive person, by far...I've kept my numbers low over the years… but we're suffering. Daytime is suffering, and there are huge budget cuts, so I think people will have to make do with much less, and we'll be perfectly fine. That's when you'll see more of one character. I will say, in regards to that, you may not see characters as much as you would like, but I have to give credit where credit is due, and this is Wheeler's way of keeping her cast employed.

QUESTION: Crystal, whappened to your blog? It seemed to start off on a great note but then just fizzled...will you ever get it going again?

CRYSTAL: I am the worst computer person on the planet. I must admit that I'm a bit intimidated, but I give you my word that I will get it going. But I want it to be more conversational. I haven't even figured how to read the feedback. This is how bad I am.

QUESTION: Crystal you are not worst. My mother wins that one. She can't even turn it on. My poor momma!

CRYSTAL: Well, apparently, I'm your mother. LOL

QUESTION: Two-part question.... Will Olivia have any scenes with Jon while he's in town - will Jon find out that Olivia is dying? Also, does Olivia have a new set for her home in Springfield and/or in the location town?

CRYSTAL: Sadly to say I have no scenes with Tom. I don't know why, but I'm afraid that Wheeler might think we're just going to look at each other lasciviously...that's our joke. the nasty aunt and the naughty nephew. No, unfortunately, no. And, there's a permanent Beacon set and I'm sure there is some exterior shot in Peapack, of the hotel.

QUESTION: But does Olivia have her own apartment set?

CRYSTAL: The thing about the Beacon suite is that you can open the closet, hang up a jacket, close the door, open it again, and there's a toilet. It is an apartment. LOL!

QUESTION: First of all, I want to say that I love and admire you so much! You are the best thing GL has going for it!!! Question: Now that your children are a little older (I have 3, 2 of which are the same age as yours) do they watch mom on TV at all, and if so, what do they think?

CRYSTAL: Rarely. They know I'm an actress. But they're in school when my show's on. I only watch the show when I pick up DVDs from the production office when I'm in NYC by myself. My oldest, Jacob, saw the show where I tried to run down Ava and he was slightly upset..."Are you trying to kill her? What are you doing?” He understands it's my job, but that was pretty much the end of them watching.

QUESTION: Crystal, I wanted to know how many days a week you fly to New York? also, how long does it take you to learn your lines on average??

CRYSTAL: Uusually I fly once a week to NYC. Sometimes, for two nights or five. And it depends on the script, but I can learn a heavy script... let's say a Wednesday show… in probably an hour and a half.

QUESTION: I was at the luncheon this year and didn't see you. Why weren't you there?

CRYSTAL: I had a family situation come up at the last minute and I had to bow out. I love going to these events, and hearing what people have to say, with the exception of those people who think I actually am Olivia and give me - as Ricky Paull - says, the "angry arm" or "angry finger" argument.

COMMENT: Crystal, you told me you would never share that story with others!

CRYSTAL: LOL!!

QUESTION: Crystal, would you like to ask US anything??? You've been looking fantastic lately, BTW.

COMMENT: Yes, Crystal - we're loving the hair and makeup! Wink

COMMENT: Yes

COMMENT: Gotta love the hair. I Love your wardrobe!

COMMENT: Beautiful as always!

CRYSTAL: Thanks...I’m probably going back to "Carly" dark hair, but with some highlights. It got too dark.

CRYSTAL: What do you think of the new handheld camera work or exterior shots?

COMMENT: They need to improve the sound quality, especially when it's raining!

COMMENT: The sound is bad a lot of the time.

COMMENT: Crystal, it's not the camera work that bothers me, it's the sound... can't hear a lot of the outside stuff

COMMENT: Did you have an earthquake on the east coast lately?? LOL

COMMENT: I like seeing outdoor shots a lot more realistic

COMMENT: Uggg the sound for the exterior shots is really bad....

COMMENT: I really like the outdoor stuff

COMMENT: The shots are good, they are getting better. I just wish they would fix the sound. I’m a film major and the shots a couple of days ago with Tammy and Cassie outside with the rain on the microphone would have gotten me shot if I had turned that in. I’m just saying. But I like the camera stuff.

COMMENT: Bill was on the cell phone outdoors today and I couldn't hear a thing he said.

CRYSTAL: I know that this is a work in progress. They've already changed certain lighting features as well as audio. And, I want you to know that it matters so much what you think, and the only way that we'll make this work is with your support. But, at the same time, if you don't like something or don't like the stories, or whatever, scream it loud, because they do listen.

QUESTION: What are the big differences in Jake's and Dylan's personalities? Do they resemble you or Michael a lot, or are they real individuals?

CRYSTAL: My boys are amazing, and that includes the very oldest. We're madly in love and the boys are typical, beautiful young men. We all have our health and life is good. Both of my boys are extremely independent. But that's no surprise...that's how Michael and I are. We encourage great freedom, with big structure. Jake is an artist, left-handed, super verbal. Dylan is much more focused, direct, and simple. And yet they jump all over each other and kick each other as boys do. They get along extremely well.

QUESTION: Besides TV, what do you and the family do for fun, Crystal? Go to sport events? Theater? Movies? I'm guessing a lot of beach time as well. Smile

CRYSTAL: An occasional movie, but now that it costs $65 for a family to go, we do a lot of outdoor stuff...pretty climate. We hike together, we go down to a butterfly preserve and look at the butterflies, and recently, we drove to San Simeon and looked at the hundreds of elephant seals and their babies. I think that the boys would prefer a park, but that's what we do.

QUESTION: I've got a question... Who the heck is writing the show??? The strike is still on isn't it?

CRYSTAL: Who knows? Just fyi, the scripts right now are scripted very differently than they were before. What used to be an 85 page script is now a 50 page script, and it's scripted like a film pilot, like a primetime show. So, our writers are actually writing in a completely different form.

QUESTION: Crystal, are actors ad-libbing more these days?

CRYSTAL: Nobody's adlibbing, it's all scripted, but I will say that Ellen isn't hardcore about people rewriting or changing words to make it more natural. She supports that. I think maybe because she's been an actress. She's really okay with that.

QUESTION: Are you left or right handed? On DOOL I noticed you wrote with your left hand, but on GL in recent years you were writing with your left.....

CRYSTAL: I’m a rightie, but I play pool left-handed. I can write left-handed.

QUESTION: Do you have any backstage drama or upcoming spoilers for us, Crystal?

CRYSTAL: Well, there's always backstage drama. You know I learn a lot of stuff on the Internet, because I don't really get involved in that.

QUESTION: Do you like to read the boards online, Crystal?

CRYSTAL: I read them at least once a day. I know I have fellow actors who think that's insane. But I love to hear what people have to say.. good or bad, whatever. They're entitled. And people think I'm fat, and I'm actually quite thin. I'm totally fine with it. But I think everyone should have to post their picture, at the very least, and then maybe I'll get online and we'll just talk. LOL! I love it, and not only my show, but other shows, because it's my business. I don't see my cast mates a lot, so spoilers are interesting to me.

QUESTION: Crystal, do you have a fave Presidential candidate yet?

CRYSTAL: I've already voted because I'll be in NYC when the election is happening. But I'm a Democrat.

CRYSTAL: One more question...

QUESTION:: What are your hopes for the show and Olivia

CRYSTAL: My hopes for the show is all my hopes for the fans. I hope they can be patient & embrace change, because that's the only way we're gonna survive. And, while I say that, you must never lose your voice. It's your show. I hope the show lives for a long, long time. And that's pretty much my wish for Olivia, too.

CRYSTAL: Thanks so much for coming and for your insight, and your incredible support and your own brilliance.