OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc.
OnlineHost: Your emcee for this event is AOLiveMC13 (LouMD).
AOLiveMC13: Welcome to the Bowl, Mr. York! I understand you have a new movie coming on Lifetime TV. Would you care to tell us something about it?
LifetimeTV: Thank you. It is good to be here. Kim Delaney is starring in a Lifetime original movie called "Closer and Closer." She plays an author releasing a sequel about a serial killer. As she is releasing this, it becomes a who-done-it mystery. I play her personal trainer, and that is all I can say.
AOLiveMC13: We have some good questions waiting for you. Here is our first one:
Question: You were a fresh addition to the show. I've noticed you've slowly lost the Aussie accent. Any reason? Any chance of Robert coming back...dead? Alive?
LifetimeTV: The loss of accent was a producer's choice that happened over time, and it is because I've been transplanted to another region of the world and slowly lost my accent. RE: Robert coming back...not that I know of in the near future. Thank you. I've been called freshe before. Fresh, that is.
Question: Hello, John, I really liked you in "Werewolf." Why was that so short lived, and will it come back on any time soon?
LifetimeTV: Thanks. I have not been approached with any offers or remakes of it.
Question: Everyone on the cast seem to really enjoy themselves when together at Luke's with the entertainment. It can't all be good acting. Are you all really having that much fun?
LifetimeTV: Yes. Everyone truly gets along, the actors all get along extremely well, and we have a great set.
Question: We found the AIDS story line to be one of the most sensitive and powerful soap stories of all time. Did you feel it had as great an impact on the public as we did?
LifetimeTV: Absolutely. There is actually a diary called "Robins Diary" that has been a best seller. The story line also brought the actors extremely close. It was incredible.
AOLiveMC13: Here is a comment from one of your fans:
Comment: You are a hunk. I would love to meet you. I love the way you talk. I am from Texas, and we talk good to. I am a female. I love you.
LifetimeTV: Wow, cool! Hope to see you in Texas. Don't tell my wife.
Question: Are there any plans in the works for Mac and Catherine, will they get married?
LifetimeTV: I just spoke to the head writers of the show, and they promise new and exciting things for Mac, but I really don't want to say. But I can promise that it will be a real exciting year for Mac and/or Catherine.
Question: Hi John...I'm a big fan...of both you and your sister Susan...she tells me she is the reason for your success. Is that true? :))
LifetimeTV: If she says so, I have to agree. I guess Susan has friends here in cyberspace.
Question: I know that you have Ulcerative Colitis. I also suffer from it and have had 8 major surgeries because of it. How do you incorporate it into your life and work without allowing it to control you?
LifetimeTV: I am continuing to take medication, and there is one key word I always keep in my mind: RELAX, RELAX, RELAX.
Question: John, I was online this week in the GH chat room, and many people don't like Mac with Kathy, and I totally agree. Does your fan mail reflect positive or negative reaction?
LifetimeTV: It is 50/50, and this year's story lines will spice up the relationship one way or another.
Question: I loved seeing you and Jon today on GH as Norma and Eve. Do you have fun doing those scenes?
LifetimeTV: Doing those drag scenes are a real drag. Ha Ha. Yes it is a lot of fun. You girls, I don't know how you do it.
Question: How many years do you have left on your General Hospital contract?
LifetimeTV: Not enough.
AOLiveMC13: Here is another comment.
Comment: I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed your stint as a woman... it really brings out your comic ability!
LifetimeTV: Thank you.
Question: Do you like doing GH more than movies?
LifetimeTV: I like do anything better than waiting tables, but that was a bad job.
Question: (Meggy2000) How is it like playing Robin's guardian?
LifetimeTV: Wonderful. It is great working with Kimberly. In fact the relationship will develop more into a friendship than a guardianship.
Question: Do you prefer daytime to prime time?
LifetimeTV: Makes no difference to me. Good work is good work.
Question: Was it hard doing the scenes in the wheelchair in the movie?
LifetimeTV: Not in the movie, "Closer and Closer," but prior to the movie, trying to maneuver in the wheelchair got me pretty banged up. You can see for yourself how I did this Sunday, Feb. 18, at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.
Question: Who has been your favorite leading lady?
LifetimeTV: So far? My wife. I think that is the safe and true answer.
Question: Why were you not at the soap opera awards last night? How was your Valentine's day?
LifetimeTV: I was at the Soap Opera awards. And I spent my V-Day with my real family during the day, and it was terrific, and with my soap family at night at the awards.
AOLiveMC13: John might be interested in hearing this comment:
Comment: I just wanted you to know that one of my cats is named Mac...after you.
LifetimeTV: Ah, that's nice.
Question: John, will you ever get married and settle down with kids, or will they just keep you in different romances?
LifetimeTV: Actually I do not believe that Mac will be settling down anytime soon. Things will be happening to Mac this year that will keep his life pretty free and interesting.
Question: Does that duck of "Lucy's" drive you nuts?
LifetimeTV: No, doesn't drive ME nuts.
Question: Is there any similarities between the character you play in your new movie and Mac?
LifetimeTV: The only similarity is that I played both parts. Other than that they are pretty different. The role I play in "Closer and Closer" is very different from Mac. Tune in to see this February 18 at 8 pm ET/PT on Lifetime TV.
Question: Do you enjoy dressing up as Eve? You and Jon Linstrom seem to have a lot of fun with it.
LifetimeTV: Jon and I do the best with the material that we are given. It's nice that people like what we are doing, and yes, it is a lot of fun.
Question: What was it like playing a serious role in "Closer and Closer"?
LifetimeTV: It was very different, slightly intimidating, but I'm very pleased with the outcome, and I hope you will be too. It was definitely the biggest challenge I've had as an actor to date.
Question: John, I'm a member of the RSDL chat room here on AOL. We were mentioned in the credits in "Robin's Diary." Do you think you might join us one Tuesday night at 8pm?
LifetimeTV: Could you please e-mail the info to LifetimeTV? I'm not sure that I'd know where to go otherwise. Thanks for the invite.
Question: Are you planning another charity event benefiting colitis research in the LA area?
LifetimeTV: There is going to be a golf tournament, I believe it is March 18 for the L.A. chapter.
Question: How long have you been acting?
LifetimeTV: Since 1979. I started acting seriously in 1979. Years to become an overnight success.
Question: Have you ever done stand-up?
LifetimeTV: No, that is extremely difficult. I'd be too scared. I don't even want to do it sitting down.
Question: What kind of jobs did you have before acting?
LifetimeTV: I waited tables, I shipped martial arts video tapes to video stores, I was a restaurant host. I even cleaned homes so I could pay for my acting classes. I always had to do something, so I always worked.
Question: What do your fellow actors at GH think of your new movie? Are they supportive of your movie career?
LifetimeTV: They are very supportive of me doing this movie, "Closer and Closer." But I don't think any of them even think I have a movie career.
Question: Did your parents want you to become an actor? Do you have siblings?
LifetimeTV: I have five siblings. Three brothers and two sisters. My parents never discouraged me, but were always concerned about how I would pay rent and eat. When I started in Chicago and earned my first pay check for a modeling job, they said, "Hey maybe he can make a living at this." And the rest is history.
AOLiveMC13: We have time for one more question.
Question: You have a little girl right? What is her name and how old is she?
LifetimeTV: Yes, her name is Schyler and she just turned five on February 9th, and who knows, maybe there will more. Get the scoop here.
OnlineHost: All good things must come to an end. Time is up for this event.
AOLiveMC13: Mr. York, you have been a wonderful guest. Thanks for being here and taking these questions.
LifetimeTV: I would just like to thank everyone for your questions and taking the time to be online here tonight. I'd love it if you watch the movie on February 18, "Closer and Closer." I'd also love to hear from you via e-mail. Have a great weekend and good night.
AOLiveMC13: Thanks, audience, for your questions and for being here tonight. That sounds like an exciting movie, and I hope to see it. Goodnight, everyone!
OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Lifetime Television; licensed to America Online, Inc.
