SODhost: Guiding Light's Kim Zimmer has joined us. Welcome, Kim!
KIM ZIMMER: I'm so excited to be chatting with everyone involved in the Soap Opera Digest Online chats. I love to look in on the SOD message boards and am always thrilled to find everyone's comments, criticisms and critiques! Truly entertaining.
PeacefulPenguin asks: Now that Josh and Reva are back together, what kind of story would you like to see them have? Do you worry that they'll just be a "happy couple"?
KIM ZIMMER: I would like see them happy forever, but I'd like to see them challenged as a couple, dealing together with problems that come up -- whether it be children, or back at Lewis Oil, or dealing with a foe, but dealing with the foe as one unit.
Khristi_g asks: Is it very confusing to play two totally different characters at once? How do you cope with the diversity?
KIM ZIMMER: It was difficult in the beginning, but the longer we did it the easier it became, because Amy [Hohn], my double, made it very easy for me as we enjoyed each others company and had a lot of laughs doing it.
Cu_tiger_gal asks: Do you think that Reva should be angry with Josh for cloning you? I do, I'd be mad as a hornet!
KIM ZIMMER: LOL... Yeah, and you'll see a couple more scenes between Josh and Reva where their relationship is not resolved. One encounter comes up in about a week... and then there's another terrible encounter where Reva freaks out and tells him to move out. That's in about 3 weeks... but it doesn't last long. :)
DeeDayz asks: Kimmer -- is the end of the clone storyline going to make me cry? I was near tears today!
KIM ZIMMER: The end of the cloning story was very, very touching and really quite hard for me as an actress because I became quite attached to the old girl. I think it'll be very touching and I'm hoping that the conclusion of the story will not only be welcomed by all the naysayers, but will also be seen on a more positive note. ;-)
DebAZ071508 asks: The clone story generated a lot of reaction -- pro and con -- In retrospective, how do you feel about it? Do you think the story should have presented in a different way?
KIM ZIMMER: Well, stories can always be presented in a different way, and this was the way our writers presented the story to us. We actors that were in this storyline feel that we did the best we could with the situation we were given. As an actor who's been involved in daytime for so long we're always looking for the next challenge. In this particular business, being as we play the same character five days a week, we like to continue to be challenged as much as possible and this story presented a HUGE challenge to me personally.
Eenie2 asks: Which is more like Kim Zimmer Reva or Dolly?
KIM ZIMMER: Well I'd like to think I was more intelligent than Dolly, but I think I share Dolly's love for fun. But I'm more like Reva as far as committment and devotion to family.
Glfan7 asks: Hi Kim. Love your work, always have! Rumors are circulating that you would like to be paired with Bill Bumiller, which would mean a breakup of Josh and Reva. Is this true?
KIM ZIMMER: That is strictly two actors who enjoy working together. I have no intention of wanting or asking that Josh & Reva be split up nor do I have that kind of power. But Bill and I enjoyed working with each other and wanted to explore some kind of relationship not on a sexual level.
Guidinglightlover asks: I thought your makeup looked great in the "aging" scene today. Did it take a long time to apply?
KIM ZIMMER: We're a day behind here in NY, [so] I haven't seen how it looks yet. The first level of aging took maybe 40 minutes but there will be another level of aging that took close to 2 and 1/2 hours.
DoctorofRomancePHD asks: Kim, What has been the hardest part of the cleva story for you?
KIM ZIMMER: Dealing with the disgruntled fans. To be blunt. :-) But in all honesty, it's been time consuming and there have been days when it's been confusing as to who I am, when.
Jeva4evr_98 asks: Kim, congrats on a great performance with the dual role. A lot of GL fans have become emotionally attached to Cleva/Dolly, and it will be hard to see her go. What are your thoughts?
KIM ZIMMER: Well, the last couple of weeks have been very hard for me to play, because I know the end is in sight. And on one level I'm thrilled that it's over, but on the other, I'll miss Cleva/Dolly because she finally became her own character and was a lot of fun to play.
Nanapie96 asks: You've done a great job of portraying both characters, especially in that it is still easy to tell Reva from Dolly, and vice versa.
KIM ZIMMER: Thank you so much, because there have been days when I've thought they've been the same, but I really appreciate that because that's what I've been striving for.
Cmro69 asks: Kim, How are you and Josh going to deal with Alan???
KIM ZIMMER: Oh, there's some great scenes coming up where Reva deals with Alan in quite a unique way. She embarrasses the heck out of him one more time. And I hope that will catapult a struggle between the Spauldings and the Lewises again and maybe that would bring back some of the great Spauldings like India von Halkein and Alexandra. I would personally love that.
Tom_10965 asks: Dear Ms Zimmer, how long does it take to tape a scene with you and the clone together?
KIM ZIMMER: Some days it happens faster than others, because some days they don't do split screen, they tape individually, generally. If I have 6 scenes as both characters, I'll tape whoever has the most lines [first] then it will take 40 minutes on what they call the first pass then if there are other actors around who are waiting for me to finish, they will give me time to change into the next character. The second pass is more technically difficult.
ESWIM asks: Do you know of any other cloning that will be going on the show?
KIM ZIMMER: I don't think we'll see any more split screens for many, many years. LOL! The technical facilities are being returned so there will be no more cloning.
Glfan7 asks: Will we see a Josh/Reva wedding this year?
KIM ZIMMER: You know, contrary to public opinion, I don't know what's happening two weeks down the road, even two months down the road. Honestly, I think the next wedding we're focusing on isn't Josh and Reva, but Phillip and Harley.
Tiny_keener asks: Kim, I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed the clone storyline from day 1. You appeared to be having a blast playing the clone...is that the case?
KIM ZIMMER: Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I have had a wonderful time doing this story. It hasn't always been a walk in the park, but for the most part, it's been great.
JenniC2 asks: Alan has been talking about cloning Annie. Is there a possibility her character will come back? I loved the scenes between Reva and Annie. A lot of great acting took place! :)
KIM ZIMMER: I don't want them to recast Annie unless Cynthia [Watros] is going to come back and play the character. If Cynthia were to come back and play the character, that would be great, but I wouldn't want to see a recast of the character.. IMHO
KimZimmerFan asks: Hi, Kim. I'm 12 years old, a huge fan of yours, and a fellow ty beanie baby collector. I was wondering, which bears do you have? I have Princess, Peace, Valentino, and Curly.
KIM ZIMMER: Oh honey, I have those and I just today bought Glory at a ridiculously stupid price. I also have Erin. And Fortune I can get for 25 bucks, but that's still a little too much to pay. I hope you play with your beanies because my son does, and they'll never be worth anything! LOL
Maddcoop asks: I've been a GL fan for years and I want to thank you for returning and helping to make it wonderful again. You must be exhausted, how have you been able to find time for yourself while doing double duty on the show and taking care of your family?
KIM ZIMMER: I haven't found time really for myself. People think I'm crazy but I'm going to have self time when I leave for 3 weeks to do a play in Michigan the last 3 weeks of August. The first week will be spent in rehearsal and the last two will be spent performing Blood Brothers in the evening. And the days will be spent on Gull Lake skiing, tubing and generally having a great time with my family and my husband's extended and large family.
Muffin23389 asks: Miss Zimmer, I bet your tired, but are you looking forward to doing Blood Brothers? Your Michigan Friend
KIM ZIMMER: Is that you Robin? If it is, I better see you in Augusta.
Vegeta_Vegiita asks: Are you excited about being in the theatre role this August in Michigan? I have tickets for the show and am excited.
KIM ZIMMER: I'm so glad you're going to be seeing the show. Once again I'm challenging myself with a vocally demanding show that I hope I'm capable of doing! LOL
TammyWebbT asks: Do you still perform in summer plays in Greenville, NC? I saw you in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" back in '89!!!!!
KIM ZIMMER: Oh my God! I had so much fun doing that show, not only because Greenville is such a great town, but because I got to work with my wonderful husband who was incredible as Brick. But no, no plays in Greenville in the near future.
Topaz2_97 asks: Considering your experiences on location in Seabird Key, would anything lure you back there?
KIM ZIMMER: Oh yeah, the fact that you can rent that island for hardly nothing. I would love to take my family and rent that island with a couple of other familes and go back there on vacation. It was great.
ApirlDon asks: Do you think it will be hard for Josh and Reva to have a down to earth story after this out on a limb cloning story?
KIM ZIMMER: I would think that a down to earth story for Josh and Reva would be a refreshing change and I would think it would be a welcome one. I would love to be backburnered for a while and do one or two shows a week.
MADZMAYA asks: Kim, will you ever become involved with the Dinah controversy and confront her on behalf of Cassie?
KIM ZIMMER: I would love to do scenes with Wendy Moniz as Reva. Dolly got to, but Reva's only had a couple of scenes. I think Cassie can handle herself, I don't think she needs her sister nosing into her business. But if Dinah needed a good beatin', I would be there to help out if she needed me.
BeaTruman asks: Can we expect to see any of Reva's Shayne relatives come back to GL on a permanent basis?
KIM ZIMMER: Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing!? Where is Hawk Shayne anyway? Where is my sister Roxie? Not to mention that handsome son of mine, Dylan!
Sweetie______69 asks: Why did they replace Marah??
KIM ZIMMER: Kimberly Brown ... they didn't replace because of anything that had to do with her performance, or that they were going to age her. They replaced her because the commuting between New York and California was becoming difficult and the family chose to stay in California. Kimberly had been cast in a couple of films that were shooting this summer... and maybe one day she will come back. I hope. I love her.
CTfemale42 asks: Was your voice altered for "Dolly" or are you changing the inflection in your voice?
KIM ZIMMER: It's funny because I'm not aware of the dialect or the voice at all, but I know it's there in watching it... but in performing it, it just comes out in the character. It wasn't a conscious thing, but it just came out of the development of the character that she just spoke differently than Reva.
Jeva4evr_98 asks: I would love to see Reva approach Ben on Sean's behalf, any chance of that happening?
KIM ZIMMER: I would love that! I think Hunt Block plays a truly incredible character and one I would really love to challenge. It would be great but, since I have no power, I doubt whether that will happen.
Topaz2_97 asks: If you could guest-star on any show, which one and why?
KIM ZIMMER: I would love to do an Ally McBeal and work with Peter MacNichol. I would love to be George Clooney's love interest on ER LOL! Oh, there are so many, too many to mention, but those would be my immediate first choices.
Tisabear29 asks: Are you going to renew your contract?
KIM ZIMMER: I've renewed my contract for a year as it stands right now. I know the magazines said for 3 years, but it's for a year, but I intend to stay with the show for a while. It's until June of 99.
KimZimmerFan asks: What's your favorite movie?
KIM ZIMMER: The first one that jumped into my mind is To Kill A Mockingbird... that's one of my most favorite films ever made because I love Gregory Peck.
KIM ZIMMER: Beth Ehlers just walked in and said "Hi" to all her fans...
KimZimmerFan asks: Kim, were you a hippie in the '70s, like most '70s teens?
KIM ZIMMER: What do you mean, I wasn't a teen in the 70s, I was a child! LOL!.. Actually I missed the "hippie" age, but I was definitely into free spirit-dom... into whatever, whatever...
DeeDayz asks: Kim - isn't Robert Newman just the coolest?
KIM ZIMMER: Okay, Robert, yes, you are the greatest. Actually, I am so lucky to have had Robert Newman in my life since 1983, no one could ask for a better partner in life than Mr. Newman, who hopefully will be nominated and win his first Emmy award this year. That's who I'm pulling for.
MADZMAYA asks: Kim, how do you stay in such great physical shape?
KIM ZIMMER: ROTFLOL... I love you I love you I love you. I'm very physically active, but lately I've let myself go a bit because this storyline has been exhausting and I haven't been able to work out the way I'd like to. So I guess the hardest thing about the clone story is that I've gained about 15 pounds. I'm still healthy and active, and play tennis but I need to get back to the gym.
Tigereye3 asks: If you could spend an evening with any famous person, who would you choose?
KIM ZIMMER: Well initially I'd say Sean Connery, but I've heard about him and I don't like him so much anymore ;-) Now I think it would be... Salvador Dali.. he's dead, but what the heck! Or Antonio Banderas and his black mask, but he has to wear his black mask.
Jeva4evr_98 asks: If Sean is the "Hunky Island Guy", than what would Josh be(LOL)?
KIM ZIMMER: The Hunky Home Guy :-)
Raven_320 asks: Do you want to eventually direct? We think you are awesome!
KIM ZIMMER: Direct? LOL ... no I have no aspirations to do anything, but act well into my 90's... I have no desire for that kind of power!!!
LisaB3J asks: Kim, What are some of the tricks Robert has played on you?
KIM ZIMMER: Robert isn't much of a prankster... he's a very funny man, when we're working together he'll say things that I'll just die laughing, but he isn't much of a prankster.
Burtch asks: I've noticed you have used the "power" word several times. Is that really what it's all about?
KIM ZIMMER: The power references are for certain online fans who seem to think I have tons of it. Power that is. And it's kind of a private joke and I apologize to the rest of you for using it so frequently. Power is NOT what it's about... It's about doing the job as best as you can.
Tins30 asks: Kim what are your thoughts on both you and Robert winning an emmy this year. You both deserve it.
KIM ZIMMER: Well thank you very much. I'm in a little different boat, because it's always nice to be acknowledged for you work, but this year, if anyone is to be honored with winning an Emmy, it has to Robert Newman. So that's where I stand with that.
LisaB3J asks: Kim, who has a scratchyer beard, Sean or Josh?
KIM ZIMMER: Well I've spent a lot more time scratching on Josh's than Sean's... In fact today, Josh and Reva had another fabulous kiss that you'll see in another 3 weeks... And I did comment that Robert's beard was extra scratchy. It's tough on a girl's complexion.
SODhost: Thank you, Kim! And thank you all for joining us!
KIM ZIMMER: I really appreciate the fact that the true fans of GL embraced this very complicated and controversial story with as GL... It's over now and I'm sad but let's hang in for another 60 years and anticipate more wonderful storytelling on GL. Love you all!