TV Guide Online:  Tonight we are chatting with Scott Hamilton, Kristi Yamaguchi and Tara Lipinski from "CBS Target Stars on Ice." Welcome, Tara! Thanks for joining us tonight! Excuse me! Welcome Kristi!!

Kristi Yamaguchi: Hello, everyone. Hope you're all well. Thanks for coming online. Go ahead and ask me whatever questions you want.

Question: Hi, Kristi, who is your idol and why?

Kristi: Well, it's hard to pick just one. I have several role models that I look up to. But, to pick just one, I would probably say Scott Hamilton, because he's taught me so much as a professional skater and he has done so much for the sport.

Question: Hi, how long have you been skating?

Kristi: I've been skating since I was 6, so about 22 years.

Question: What are some of the criteria you use when choosing a new piece of music?

Kristi: When looking for a new piece of music, I listen for something that, first of all, I like, and something that I think will be different from anything else I've ever done. And it will hopefully be interesting for the audience. My whole season from here on out will focus on "Target Stars on Ice."

Question: How has your family incorporated themselves into your trade or lifestyle?

Kristi: Well, my family is very supportive and always enjoys watching the skating. My father helped out a lot and helped manage parts of my schedule and my career.

Question: Hi, Kristi. I love to watch you perform. How often do you practice?

Kristi:  My training isn't as intensive as I'd like it to be. These days, I try to practice five days a week for about two hours a day. Sometimes, when I'm not traveling, I also spend some time in the gym every other day.

Question: Kristi, do you get scared before a performance? What do you do to calm down?

Kristi: Yes, I get nervous before every performance, some more than others. To calm down, I try to think of how well I've prepared for that performance and convince myself that once the music starts, it will be fine.

Question: What is the most important aesthetic quality each of you strives to achieve in your skating?

Kristi:  I would say the choreography for each program is so important. It has to match what the music is saying, and you have to be comfortable with your movements so that the audience watching it is comfortable watching it.

Question: Hello, Kristi. I would like to say to you, you're poetry in motion, absolutely beautiful to watch. I was wondering, is there a special man in your life?

Kristi: Thank you very much. Yes, I'm actually engaged to be married in July.

Question: What are your fave programs?

Kristi: This is a tough one. But one of my signature programs was one called "Doop, Doop." It was a fun number with a very wild costume. People really remember that one.

Question: What drives you? To all skaters.

Kristi: I'd say that the passion of skating, to perform for an audience.

Question: Kristi, what are your plans after your 10-year run with the SOI tour? I hope that you will continue to skate! :)

Kristi: I will continue to skate, but just not on the road as much as the touring life. Probably smaller special events.

Question:  Hi, Kristi!! It must be great working on the ice... have a question, though. What's the hardest trick you've ever tried?

Kristi: Oooooo... I'd say the combination jump of triple left, Lutz, triple toe has been the hardest trick for me to do.

TV Guide Online:  Thanks, Kristi, for chatting with us! We wish you the best and hope to have you back soon!

Kristi: Goodbye, everyone. Happy holidays! Thanks for all the questions, and I hope to chat with you again.

TV Guide Online: Welcome, Tara! Thanks for joining us.

Tara Lipinski: I'm excited to be here too. I just finished skating right now. :)

Question: Tara, what college do you want to go to, and are you still planning to tour with SOI while in college?

Tara: Well, I definitely want to go to college. There are no definite plans yet, however. I'm still a senior right now.

Question: Hi, Tara, how many years have you been skating?

Tara: For 14 years.

Question: Tara, do you have a boyfriend?

Tara: No... it's a popular question, though.

Question: Tara, how is life now that you are a champion and a pro?

Tara: Busy, but still lots of fun. It's nice, because now I can try a lot of things that I've always wanted to do, like acting, professionally competing and touring with "Stars on Ice."

Question: What is it like skating in the Olympics?

Tara: Unbelievable. Something that's hard to describe, but something that I will hold and cherish every day. A lot of fun.

Question: Tara, are you completely healed from your injury, and does it still hurt when you jump?

Tara: Well, I still have to work on it. Every now and then it nags me, but I have it under control. I do have to stretch it and keep it warmed up.

Question:  Tara, I was really impressed with your acting and thought you were very natural. Which actors would you like to work with some day?

Tara: I think Robin Williams is my top one.

Question: Who were your major influences in the beginning of your career?

Tara: Scott Hamilton and Kurt Browning. They're amazing on the ice.

Question: Do you have any special routine things you do before every competition?

Tara: No. I always carry my Saint Theresa statue with me, though.

Question: Tara, what do you enjoy most about skating?

Tara: Performing for an audience and my fans, and to get out there and perform for an audience and have them appreciate what you do. It's pretty rewarding.

Question: Tara, do you like any other sports besides ice-skating?

Tara: I think if I had another one, it would be horseback riding. I used to have a horse, and I just loved it.

Question: What do each of you feel is the most difficult aspect of mastering figure skating?

Tara: I think it would be combining the technical side of things... doing all the jumps, making sure the program works well artistically.

Question: Tara, how do you like being on the daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless?"

Tara: It's one of my favorite things to do. The cast and the crew are great, and it's a really fun role. Excuse me a sec... I have to go do my specialty shots.... Okay, I'm back!

Question: What is your all-time fave program you have done?

Tara: My favorite program would be my new one, "Genie in a Bottle," because it has a lot of dancing that I've incorporated onto the ice.

Question: What is your favorite skating trick?

Tara: Triple loop. Before I forget, I want to say a big thank you to all my fans! I love you! I love this show. It's kinda strange, but I really enjoy it. But I try to be the best role model I can be. I'm very lucky that everyone really enjoys my skating and looks up to me. That's a big honor.

Question: Do you find it difficult to concentrate on school and skating?

Tara: Not really, because I have a tutor that travels with me. So my school sort of works around my skating. I just have to have four hours every day.

TV Guide Online: Thanks, Tara! We had a great time and wish you the best!

Tara: I hope to see you all at "Target Stars on Ice." And another big thank you to all my fans. You're the ones I'm skating for.

TV Guide Online: Welcome, Scott!! Thanks for joining us!

Scott Hamilton: It's great to be here! Sorry I'm late. It's been hectic and crazy here this fall. 'Tis the season.... :)

Question: How long have you been skating, and how did you get into it?

Scott: Thirty-two years. I started kind of by accident. I was very sick when I was young, and my family doctor thought that it would be good for me to go to the rink, just to give my parents a day off from how high-care I was in those days. I liked it, and I kept on going back. For 32 years.... :)

Question: Scott, is it true that this is going to be your last year touring with "Stars on Ice"?

Scott: No. Nothing official. I've been struggling the last two years with my body, and this year feels a lot better. I seem to be stronger, have better stamina, and my ankle seems to be healing from the surgery I had last year. If I were to go through another year of pain like the last two, this would be my last year.

Question: How does it feel to have inspired so many people?

Scott: Wow... I think we all have an opportunity to participate in many people's lives, and you hope that whatever influence you have is a positive one. So I'm very flattered.

Question:  Scott, Brian Orser said you are doing the Canadian tour this year. Is this true?

Scott: True. Guilty as charged. :) It's a great, great fun tour, and I've wanted to do it for the last three years. And I'm really excited about coming back.

Question: What are the most important mental, emotional and physical attributes that a great skater must possess?

Scott: One word... luck. It just comes down to doing the best that you can, and hoping that it's enough. And normally it is. Because you can't do any better than your best.

Question: For Scott, I enjoy your commentary as much as seeing you on the ice. Will you be in the booth for the 2000 Olympics?

Scott: 2002. But, yes. I've been with CBS for 16 years, and they aren't doing very much skating anymore, and NBC asked if I would be interested in doing the next Olympics. And it's a great honor.

Question: What are you planning on doing for New Year's Eve and the Millennium?

Scott: I was thinking about going to watch the Eagles in concert, but it's kinda expensive. So I'm debating.

Question: Does the constant travel and forever practicing take a toll on your social and personal life?

Scott: That IS my social and personal life. Yeah, it's been such a part of my life for so long, that it has become my social and personal life.

Question: What would you say is the best thing you have gotten out of skating?

Scott:  The best thing is my health. I guess the second best thing is the opportunity to perform and try to make people happy by entertaining them.

TV Guide Online:  Thanks, Scott! We had fun and wish you the best! Come back soon!

Scott:  I'm sorry I was late. :) We'll have to do this again real soon. I'm an AOL person, and I think it's great! I hope everyone comes out and sees the show and especially watches it on Saturday night, CBS, because if it gets a great rating, I may get another TV special. And that would make me very happy. :) So WATCH IT! And tell all your friends to WATCH IT... and put it on your company bulletin boards telling everyone to WATCH IT!! :) If you're at temple, tell everyone to WATCH IT!! In other words, please watch. :)