OnlineHost: Welcome to the ABC Auditorium. This evening we're talking with Crystal Chappell, who portrays Maggie Carpenter, the long-lost cousin of Reverend Andrew Carpenter. Maggie is a free spirit with an outrageous sense of humor, whose presence in Llanview is certain to cause chaos to the lives of many its citizens. Crystal is a newcomer to ONE LIFE TO LIVE, but she is already well-known to daytime viewers, having portrayed the brilliant Dr. Carly Manning on NBC's "Days of Our Lives" for three and a half years. In 1993, Crystal was recognized with the "Hottest Female Star" award at the Soap Opera Awards for her work as Carly. Chappell attended seven different schools scattered throughout South Carolina and Maryland. She ultimately graduated with honors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In December, 1988, Crystal moved to New York to pursue her professional career. In May, 1990, she was offered the role of Dr. Carly Manning on "Days of Our Lives." Crystal's other credits include the feature film "Lady In Waiting," and guest starring roles on such television series as "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Burke's Law," "Diagnosis Murder," and "Silk Stalkings."

Question: I first saw you on Santa Barbara and thought that girl will go somewhere. My hunch was correct. How much fan mail do you receive, do you answer it, was there alot when you took a break from soaps?
ABCStar: Thank you for the compliment. I do read all my fan mail. I like to hear what people have to say. I receive enough mail to keep me busy. When I was off the soaps I still received a lot of support from fans.

Question: I watched you on Days and was so excited to hear you were coming back to daytime. I really like your new hair style. So far how does the cast and crew compare to Days? Were they warm in welcoming you?
ABCStar: I'm very happy to be back on daytime, it's like coming home to me. All the people on OLTL are very generous and supportive. It's like a new start for me, I'm very excited. I'm a very athletic person, so the new short hairstyle agrees with me. I liked my long hair but there are only so many ways you can be creative and braid it. Thanks for the compliment.

Question: Crystal, very simply...Peter Reckell or Robert Kelker-Kelly, a favorite?
ABCStar: Both are very talented men. Obviously very different. Peter was my first leading man, though, so if you think about your first love, so to speak, there's a strong fondness for that person. But both actors taught me a lot!

Question: How do you like working with Wortham?
ABCStar: He brought me flowers on my first day of work.. He took me to dinner. Let's just say I love him. Not to mention that he is fun to work with and very talented.

Question: James DePaiva has a reputation as being difficult. How's it going with him? I love his work.
ABCStar: I love his work too. I never listen to what people say about other people. He has been great to work with. And he's cute, too!

Question: Has the movie Crystal made for HBO aired yet?
ABCStar: Yes, it has aired. It is now out on video. It's called Lady In Waiting with Michael Nouri. It's a little risque, but it was a lot of fun to do.

Question: where can I get an autographed picture, crystal.
ABCStar: Just send me a letter to the studio. The address is One Life To Live, 56 West 66th Street NYC, NY, 10023.

Question: Can we look forward to more scenes between Maggie and Andrew?
ABCStar: Yes. We see a lot of their past relationship coming out and we also get to see Maggie getting to know Cord a little better. Of course she continues to be at odds with Max over a lot of different issues. I promise you it will be exciting.

Question: Any wedding plans in your future?
ABCStar: Michael and I are very happy and excited to be in New York together. He is the love of my life. But, no major announcement tonight.

Question: Crystal...Is there another move in your future or are you happy where you are?
ABCStar: You never know about the future but I'm very happy where I am now. The character is bound to get in a lot of trouble and that proves to be a lot of fun for me. And, I love being in NYC.

Question: Do you have any plans or desire to work with your real-life love Michael?
ABCStar: No plans as of yet, but I'd certainly love to work with him again. That's a very biased question for me. I'm a big fan of Michael's. He plays such a great villain.

Question: Have you ever done any commercials?
ABCStar: My very first acting job was a Tylenol commercial. I had to walk, hit a mark, and then sneeze. I had to do it ten times but it never made it on the air.

Question: I loved you on Days, and I'm watching OLTL now to get a glimpse of you again! But, do you keep in touch with anyone from Days?
ABCStar: I just spoke to Louise Sorel, who plays Vivienne. She's been here in New York visiting. I did a play reading with Peter Reckell this past summer. Other folks who have left the show and I stay in contact as well.

Question: How are you adjusting to life in NYC??? Bet your THRILLED Michael landed a role in NY too!! I am very happy for you!!!!
ABCStar: Thanks! It took us both by surprise. We had been preparing for a long distance relationship when, only a week into my job, Michael got a call from All My Children. We are loving New York.

Question: how did you start your career? Did you just decide to start acting, or was something that you dreamt about your whole life?
ABCStar: I think I've always been an actress, but didn't know it. I made the decision in college to do it seriously. I figured I was young and had some time to explore. Fortunately for me, it all worked out.

Question: Are you planning to stay in soaps and tv or would you like to get into feature films?
ABCStar: I love TV and daytime TV. I certainly would love to do more film. I've also started a computer company called Hands On Productions that will be marketing a couple of games in the next few years.

Question: We missed you. Days of Our Lives and One Life is on the same time. I've now changed. They wasted your talent at Days. Do you regret leaving?
ABCStar: I feel like I had to leave at that particular time so I could see what else I could do. I loved what I got from DAYS. It was a great experience for me.

Question: HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK IS OLTL TAPED?
ABCStar: The show tapes five days a week. I'm a new character so they are starting me off slowly. I'm sure we will see a lot more of Maggie. Lately, I've been taping about three days a week.

Question: Hi Crystal, I'm from Maryland, did you go to Arundel High School, I live near there. How did you get your start in acting?
ABCStar: Yes, I went to Arundel High School. I started doing plays in college and acting wherever I could.

Question: I really liked you as Carly on Dool. Do you feel you can bring as much to this character
ABCStar: Sure. It's a different character but you'll certainly see glimpses of Carly. It's a different show but there's a lot of great and intriguing story coming up. Lots of romance.

Question: WAS THE BURIED ALIVE STORY ON DAYS HARD TO TAPE?
ABCStar: Not at all. It was one of the most fun stories I've ever done. I mean, how often do you get buried alive?

Question: Do you have a fan club?
ABCStar: Not at the moment, but I am planning on starting one. As soon as I know when that will happen, I will certainly let everyone know.

Question: Crystal...will you be doing any PA's anytime soon? And if so, where?
ABCStar: No, I don't have any public appearances planned at this time.

Question: You are so hugely talented and have the ability to play a variety of differently roles very believably. How is it playing a character so vastly different from Carly?
ABCStar: Thanks! To tell you the truth, I'm flying by the seat of my pants and having a great time doing it. It's fun just to try new things. I think it will be interesting.

Question: Crystal-in what major ways are Days and OLTL different?
ABCStar: Well, one is in California and the other is in New York. Other than that, I think they are pretty similar.

Question: Were you on a country music video? I've never seen the credits for it.
ABCStar: Yes I was. A new artist by the name of Ron Wallace. He's a great singer and a wonderful person and he's going to be a huge star. It was a lot of fun to do. The song was called "I'm Listening Now."

Question: Remember our party in LA a few yrs. ago & we imported snow!! Do you still love to dance?
ABCStar: I do remember imported snow and I still love to dance. Looking forward to my first winter in NYC where the snow will be real.

Question: Do you like living In CA or NY better?
ABCStar: My dogs are in CA and I miss them, but I had really been missing the East coast and the four different seasons and I'm glad to be here. I still have my house in LA and so I get the best of both worlds.
ABCStar: We have time for one more question....

Question: Crystal, do you miss your fellow actors on Days?
ABCStar: Yes I do. I have a feeling I'll be seeing them soon, though. I'm really busy but I'm sure I'll be seeing them at industry events. They are a great group of people.

OnlineHost: Thank you for joining us this evening. Don't forget to watch Crystal on ONE LIFE TO LIVE every Monday through Friday at 2:00 PM, ET, on the ABC Television Network.

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