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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NBC Live:
Welcome to tonight's NBC Live Studio at Yahoo! Chat, Andrea.

Andrea Parker:
Hello, and welcome to the world of Miss Parker!

Brak_L: Parker
Greetings! The character of Miss Parker has gotten much more 3-dimensional since the pilot episode. The depth is incredible, and you're doing a fine job. As the character has changed have you done anything to modify your portrayal?

Andrea Parker:
If anything, I've had to expand and dive deeper into my own dark psyche.

LWQuestie:
Andrea, what is your favorite aspect of "Miss Parker" to play? The dominating *&%$#@y side, or the fragile side that we've only seen twice? And which is more of a challenge?

Andrea Parker:
I would say the superior, condescending attitude is a lot more fun on some days, and the vulnerable lost little girl is more fun on other days. It depends on my own mood, and I modify that with whatever mood I am in that day.

PavlovDog:
Hi Andrea, you do an incredible job of portraying Miss Parker. What do you enjoy most about playing the character?

Andrea Parker:
Free license to explore and act out parts of my personality that I usually hide with tact.

Sjc1090:
Where did you get your start in showbiz?

Andrea Parker:
I've been on the stage since I was six. I studied in Los Angeles, specifically the Sanford Meisner technique, and since then I have incorporated other techniques into my work. Being on stage, I've always been pretty uninhibited. It's been a relentless pursuit, you know, a lot of hard work basically.

JoeSchmoe:
How much freedom have you been given to develop the character of Miss Parker yourself?

Andrea Parker:
Quite a bit actually. First of all, "The Pretender" is based on strong characters, which makes for a good show, and is the reason that I wanted to be a part of this project in the first place. All credit is due to our creators. They are so confident with their vision, and yet so open and available to us as artists in collaborating with them to create that vision. We, as the actors, are very fortunate to have such down to earth writers. Believe me, I have a lot to say about what makes her who she is.

Desdecado:
Hi.....Miss Parker...I was wondering what you would like to see in the future for your character?

Andrea Parker:
First of all, my name is not Miss Parker, it's Andrea. Since the Spring of '96, I cringe anytime I am referred to as Miss Parker. I would like to see her bust a move, and maybe escape from The Centre herself.

Kchovan_kelly:
In the show they never mention Miss Parker's first name. Do they plan on revealing it anytime soon? Do you have any preferences for what the name should be?

Andrea Parker:
She has a first name...it's Miss!

Kchovan_kelly:
Do you think Miss Parker and Jarod will ever hook up and get together? I think the characters like each other.

Andrea Parker:
If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

Lara_16:
Do you wear stiletto heels off the show too? *grin*

Andrea Parker:
Are you out of your mind?!

Patrickphile:
What would you like to see happen in terms of character development with Miss P, Sydney, Jarod, and Broots?

Andrea Parker:
I'd like to see some of the characters eventually get some answers to their questions.

Slybootz:
What's your favorite episode of "The Pretender"?

Andrea Parker:
Keys! It's the only time that Michael and I have been able to work together, and I had the blessed opportunity of beating up a man much larger than myself! And, I got to show Miss Parker's martial arts abilities.

DJmagic:
What is it like to play the very cold and calculating character that you do? Is it a stretch for you?

Andrea Parker:
A dream come true! As she laughs malevolently.…

New_Eyes:
What locations would you like to see your hunt for Jarod lead you to?

Andrea Parker:
Ha, ha, ha...if we really got to go to France, I would pick Paris. But the fact that it would be downtown Los Angeles, doesn't make it quite so glamorous.

LtKatePike:
I just wanted to see if you remember taking that picture with a fan at the Indy 500 parade? That was ME :) and I wanted to thank you!

Andrea Parker:
Of course I do! And where's my picture?

Monique_424:
How is your personality different from your character's?

Andrea Parker:
How is it not? Thank God! Everything that Miss Parker does has expedience. She is frustrated when her time is wasted, or when people don't work with the same velocity as she does. I, on the other hand, have a lot of tolerance and patience- sometimes too much.

Texas_Angel6969:
What direction is "The Pretender" series going to go with Brigitte at the helm now?

Andrea Parker:
Who says she's at the helm? Don't give up your faith in Miss Parker. The character of Brigitte and Mr. Lyle provoke all of "The Pretender" regulars into various directions, and at the same time brings Sydney, Miss Parker and Broots together.