Ladies and Gentlemen, Deidre Hall!

Deidre: Good evening everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I am wondering if you are all as tired as I am after waiting for the meteor shower that never came! So what's on your mind? I am too sleepy to think!

Q: Hi Deidre, I bought my mother a Marlena Barbie for Christmas. It's so cool. How does it feel to see yourself on the shelves at FAO Schwartz?

Deidre: I was at FAO last Wednesday, and it was thrilling to see all the people that came out to purchase Marlena for charity. All of my proceeds, and 5% of the sales will go to PATH - People Assisting the Homeless.
One thing I would like to tell you about the Marlena doll...she is much happier if you comb out the hair!

Q: Welcome Deidre! As a woman, an actress and a mother you have touched the lives of many. Who has influenced you in your life the way you have so many other?

Deidre: I always turn back to the picture of Jackie O. raising children under extraordinary circumstances. Thank you. She did so with class, elegance and charm that touched the entire world.

Q: do you miss Wayne Northrop's practical jokes?

Deidre: I am not sure that our producers would consider it funny but... the night that Roman volunteered to sleep in my adopted son's bed. We were shooting scenes across the stage from each other - during rehearsal, the prop man and I poured a bucket of warm water into the bed! He ran, jumped, hit the wet bed and hit the ground running after me! Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough...and he threw me in full makeup into a shower!

Q; Deidre, what are you doing for New Years? Are you afraid of all that Y2K stuff?

Deidre: I wasn't afraid of Y2K until I began to watch promos for the NBC movie. I guess I don't know enough about computers to be frightened by it. The most important thing that I can do is be with all the people that I love most and nothing truly bad can ever happen.

Q: Deidre I just want to tell you that I LOVE your website!! Any new additions on the way?

Deidre: Thank you for logging on. I am glad that you like it!

Q: What does Christmas have in store for Marlena and John?

Deidre: Hmmm.. Last night we worked late and I was doing the tree lighting ceremony. It was a happy and festive event. Baby Will fell asleep on my shoulder - sweet sweet sweet. Tomorrow is the hospital scene...and I am sorry that I haven't read further ahead!

Q: Will Stefano get his obsession back for Marlena so John will have to save her again?

Deidre: Oh who cares!

Q: My Mom is wanting to know how you stay so beautiful? What is your secret?

Deidre: Why just this evening before logging on, David and I had a heated game of handball in the back yard.

Q: Was it hard to tape the Sami execution scenes?

Deidre: I've heard so many people responding to Marlena singing the lullaby to Sami. It was especially hard since A) I don't sing, and B) that is a song that I still sing to my own children. I had to keep myself from going to a place of imagining any of it was real. I am so glad that you liked those scenes. I thought that Alison Sweeney was exceptional.
By the way, my assistant Cynthia played the guard - "dead woman walking", her great line.

Q: How do you feel about Christie Clark leaving the show?

Deidre: I have always been fond of her and deeply understand her desire to travel and explore the world while she is young. She has existing plans for the next year of her life and I envy and admire her every moment.

Q: You have the most infectious laugh! Do you have any favorite TV or movie comedies?

Deidre: Perhaps because the holiday season is upon us, I am remembering with great fondness "The Christmas Story". The only show that I watch these days, actually, is West Wing.

Q: Did you and your kids dress up for Halloween/Mom's Birthday?

Deidre: We all did. Not by design but we had plans for an early dinner and then trick or treating, and David refused to wear a costume in the restaurant unless I did. David was a superhero, Charmeleon and I was a Pillsbury Doughboy.

Q: Of all your Days scenes, is there one that sticks out in your mind? For me it is the episode when Marlena put up all the pictures trying to get Roman to stay! It was so sad!

Deidre: Wow, what a great memory. I still think that some of the possession scenes were among my fondest.

Q: I think you're the best actress ever! Did anyone inspire you to be an actress?

Deidre: Not at all. I was in college studying to become a therapist and acting to support college. I was skipping classes for acting! I woke up one day and realized that I already had a career.

Q: I understand you enjoyed a recent cruise to Alaska. Please share some of your fondest memories of the trip.

Deidre: What a fabulous trip it was. It was not just the boys, but my parents and twin sister, and her family and it was an extraordinary cruise. Perhaps my fondest memory is huddling in a blind in the rainforest, crouched up against my two little boys as we watched bears catch salmon 20 yds from us.

Q: What are your feelings about Tom Langan as a headwriter. I think he has been excellent in the short time as headwriter!

Deidre: Tom has always been a creative genius

Q: How do you feel about the Gina/Hope storyline? Many feel it needs to be wrapped up.

Deidre: I know many fans have had a hard time and felt confused by the whole Gina story. Tom Langan is very clear and knowledgeable about the fan's desires. And look for him to bring you everything you want.

Q: Were there scenes shot in Hawaii that the audience did not get to see?

Deidre: There were scenes shot in the wedding show you never saw! One of my favorites was one that preceded Marlena's talk with Bo. I had walked over to Bo after talking to Abe and Lexie and John as we reminisced about a funny moment that we had all shared. The four of us chose to do the scene laughing and laughed so hard that the dialogue couldn't be understood. It was real ... magical ... and I am terribly sorry it didn't hit the air.

Q: How does it feel to know that the people who have been with you, not your character, rely on you in some way for support and guidance?

Deidre: I know that Marlena has always been an inspiration and source of comfort to the audience. I am glad that that remains true. and if she does things that show great wisdom, compassion, or tenderness, I am glad that they have become learning tools.

Q: What do David and Tully think of the Marlena barbie?

Deidre: Haha. Yes, her head does spin all the way around! I am not sure that they are terribly impressed. maybe when they are older they will realize that not everyone has a doll, now it seems to be commonplace. They have all watched me comb her hair...and David even helped me cut one.

Q: What do you think of Marlena's passive approach to parenting in regards to Belle?

Deidre: I don't think that she is passive. I think that at this point in time, a parent must rely on the good foundations and common sense they have passed on to their child. No amount of policing or over-protecting can keep them safe if they don't have their own inner voice.
I am wondering why you think she is passive?

Q: Deidre, your wedding to John on DOOL was wonderful. I thought it was terrific with the flowers for each child, including Carrie.

Deidre: I thought it was all sweet...and deeply tender. I am glad you liked it too.

Q: Jensen Ackles has a strong teenage following (my daughter loves him!) Do you enjoy working with him?

Deidre: I absolutely adore Jensen - he is a fine young man with good values and a great heart, who also happens to be a wonderful performer

Q: What do you think is the most important thing about life?

Deidre: Gee, it's only an hour chat! I think that staying in the moment and being the best you can be, and forgiving yourself when you are not. Oh dear, our time is up :)

SoapCity_Rose: (she's kidding) :)

Q: What do you think of the writers aging all the children so fast?

Deidre: I think the appearance of so many 15 year olds is an infusion of life blood. Why, coming up very soon, is the high school dance where Belle and Shawn do a Saturday Night Fever dance! You'll be mesmerized; you'll fall in love with them as quickly as we did.

Q: Do you ever think back to the time you played Electra-Woman?

Deidre: I try not to but thank you for that memory!

Q: If you had the power to grant one wish to your husband and sons, what would it be?

Deidre: The absolute truth is...we are living our dreams NOW. I would be thrilled if a cure were found for Parkinson's Disease so my father-in-law could enjoy these magnificent grandchildren.

Q: As an actress do you feel you had to prove yourself to be more than just a pretty face and capable of challenging roles?

Deidre: I wasn't more than a pretty face. It took a long time to learn my craft as well as how to behave respectfully around other performers. No one comes to it naturally; we learn from each other. I learned most of mine from Frances Reid.

Q: Deidre, my best friend and I had tickets to see you in NJ but things didn't turn out. We are desperately seeking another chance to see you. Do you ever plan on making an appearance in or near Milwaukee, WI?

Deidre: As you must know, I rarely do public appearances, too much time away from family. If you can make your way to FL for Thanksgiving, I will be at Mar A Lago on November 29th. I am so sorry you missed coming to NJ

Q: How does it differ from parenting on the show than in real life?

Deidre: I tend to be very hard on my children. I insist on manners, I insist they learn compassion, I insist they are respectful. There was an adlib scene with Belle many weeks ago where she made fun of me and I told her to "fix her attitude". They are words my children hear rather often. I parent Belle as I imagine I will parent my own teenager.

Q: Was it hard playing yourself in the movie of your life? By the way I have seen it 5 times! I love it!

Deidre: But perhaps not the ones you are thinking...one scene on a gurney in the hospital became very emotional...it was a literal flashback to being filled with all those hormones and feeling very frail going into surgery.

Q: Deidre when will we see you on primetime again?

Deidre: I have no plans to do anything but Days of our Lives now or in the future. I am completely happy right where I am!

Q: In all your roles that you have played and with so many different men in those roles, just wondering the one male actor that you really enjoyed working with the most?

Deidre: It is impossible to compare actors. Every human is different and brings different things to their daily jobs. How I dearly love Drake; I adored Wayne Northrop, and by an odd turn of events, I had a call from Jed Allan this morning. He is as happy as he can be!

Q: What do you think of Passions? Do you miss James Reilly's writing?

Deidre: I think that Tom L has done a magnificent job of picking up the unusual, almost gothic element that Jim brought to the show year ago...while combining great romance and humanity with it.
I have not seen Passions since the first week but I think that it is picking up audience every day.

Q: Why did the show try so desperately to pair Drake with Kristian? It failed because you and Drake really have something special when you're on screen together.

Deidre: Whoever thought that we'd be rooting for Sami and Austin ;)

Q: How do you feel we can better educate our children against the violence in our schools?

Deidre: Stop violence from coming into your child's life PERIOD.... TURN OFF THE TV, THROW AWAY NINTENDO, No more Sega.. throw them out the window. Read the paper AFTER your child has gone to school. Fill them with love, and teach them the world IS a safe place. And please God, our next generation will make it through!

Q: What does the new year hold for John and Marlena?

Deidre: The producers know that I will spill the beans if they tell me...honest. The absolute truth is..since I am working everyday...there will be great loving romantic festive scenes. I do NOT have a script past Saturday. Yes, more Marlena!

Q: Do you ever talk to Jaime Lyn Bauer?

Deidre: She called a few weeks ago and we are still trying to reconnect.

Q: Did you enjoy doing Our House?

Deidre: I love doing Our House. I was filming that at a time when I was desperately hoping for my own family. Something about going to work with 3 children made me feel as if I were home.

Q: Do you really have a Beagle dog, 2 housecats and a squirrel?

Deidre: No, I have 2 cats, my basset’s ashes and about 9 squirrels! We have no screens on our kitchen window..we put a bowl of peanuts there everyday and let the squirrels feed themselves. The younger ones will even let you hand feed them - they boys adore it.

To my friends online...my son just walked in with homemade butter!

Thank you all for joining me tonight. You've been fun and thought provoking as always. I'd love to see you in FL on the 29th of Nov to help support Parkinson's research. Know that I feel your condolences, your good wishes for him, and my family. I am grateful for allowing my family and I to grieve in private. I appreciate you more than you could know.

SoapCity_Rose: (if you missed the first part of this, it's in regards to Dee's brother's sudden death)

Deidre: His name was Terry if you're sending up prayers. But know that in this life...he was deeply loved. Good Night.

Deidre Hall, ladies and gentlemen....
 

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