Andrea Parker of NBC's "The Pretender"
November 4, 1997
6pm PT/ 9pm ET

NBC LIVE INTERNET CHAT WITH ANDREA PARKER

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Nbclive:
What's a typical day for you like? Up at 6, on set by 8? I want to be an actress, but I really don't know what the day to day is like.

Andrea Parker:
Overwhelming! It's absolutely unbelievable. No one can prepare you for the mental and physical stamina that you must maintain, not only in a 14-16 hour day, but 5 days a week. We eat hard work for breakfast. Good luck! Or as we say in the business, break a leg!

Mustseetv:
Do you find that the success of "The Pretender" has made your personal life more difficult?

Andrea Parker:
Yes, in the sense that I don't have the leisure to have a life. It forces me to actually make dates with my family. Fortunately, I have a very loving, supportive and understanding family, including friends.

New_Eyes:
Will we ever see Miss Parker's father again?

Andrea Parker:
Only The Centre knows for sure!

Misanthropy15:
My husband wants to know why Miss Parker smokes so much. He says that it takes away from your character.

Andrea Parker:
Because she's weak and insecure, and in a lot of pain.

Appleplum:
How do you stay so fit you look great?

Andrea Parker:
Good genes, a high metabolic rate, a healthy diet, and Miss Parker's work schedule.

ScottAdmi:
Where is "The Pretender" filmed?

Andrea Parker:
Blue Cove, Delaware.

_Crystalle_:
How do you feel about the popularity of "The Pretender"? About the fact that there are people willing to travel to from around the world to PreFest98?

Andrea Parker:
That's why we do what we do.

Davidgrinnell:
Andrea, when's your birthday?

Andrea Parker:
It's in my bio. March 8, like all good fishies!

Dalex7777:
Do you still dance? If not, do you miss dancing?

Andrea Parker:
Of course I miss it. It will always be in my heart and soul. I haven't trained in years, but I do incorporate dancing into my personal workout regime.

Mcblob:
I have noticed that NBC is giving you morals in your character. Will this develop further?

Andrea Parker:
Let's hope not! :-)

Whyte97:
How does it feel to be so popular?

Andrea Parker:
Too pooped to party!

Bigd0gg:
Is there a major difference between you character you play on TV and your real life---in other words is it hard to get into the role?

Andrea Parker:
It's more difficult for me to get out of it at this point, than it is to get into it. At this point being 30 episodes into the project, it's more difficult to get away from her than to get to her.

Workaholic1:
Andrea, do you find yourself behaving kinder towards others in compensation for the perception generated by your TV character?

Andrea Parker:
Absolutely not, I have no fear of typecasting, and I'm quite confident with who I am. Niceness is a decision, and a strategy of social interaction, not a character trait.

Andrea Parker:
How are your off-screen relationships with your fellow cast members? Do you pull pranks on each other?

Andrea Parker:
The concepts and the characters that we deal with on a daily basis are so twisted and morbid and insane, that all of us rely quite heavily on our senses of humor to bond and to get us through the day. I spend most of my time on the set with Patrick Bauchau and Jon Gries, who play Sydney and Broots. And I have so much respect for them as artists and as people, that we genuinely love one another and support each other. And when we're really, really tired, we have huge, uncontrollable giggle fits.

NBC Live:
Thank you very much for joining us this evening, Andrea. It's been a terrific chat! And thank you, everyone, for participating.

Andrea Parker:
Thank you, and if I don't see you online, I'll see you on Saturdays at 8pm.