Talk City 5/1/1998 Welcome Catherine Bell

Catherine, welcome to Talk City! bosco: Is your character similar to YOU in real life? or different? CatherineBell: There are some similarities, but I think I'm a lot sillier, and younger, and more fun in person. I do kick box, and I speak a few different languages. timeline: What was the funniest incident to happen on JAG? CatherineBell: There are so many of them! There's something funny that happens every day! David's a great jokester, and there are just fun, silly things happening all the time! The main prank that we play with props is for people's birthdays. The special effects people will put a little explosive in the cake so it blows up in their face - that's always fun to play on a guest star, or one of the trainees or someone who's new. spookman: My niece announced to me she wants to be either Dana Scully, Sarah MacKenzie or Mia Hamm when she grows up (I'm so proud!) Who did you look up to growing up? CatherineBell: That's a tough one! I think my uncle was probably the biggest influence in my life. We grew up in the same house, and he was just a really great, hard-working, honest, ethical person. A great role model! arriall: Catherine... just wanted to say that you have been doing a wonderful job this season--The Stalker was great!! Do we get to learn more about Mac's past this season or is that being left until next season? CatherineBell: Oooh, thank you, thank you! :-) Let's see, there's not too much more about Mac's past. Tomorrow night and next week are the last two episodes for this season - next week's the big wedding episode, and then we're off to Russia to learn more about Harm's father. Stay tuned for next season! mysterygirl :Catherine, welcome to TalkCity! What type of filming schedule do you have, and did you need any special training? CatherineBell: We just wrapped Friday, but normally we work five days a week, 15-18 hours a day, ten months out of the year. I did go down to Camp Pendleton for some training. I got to sit in on a few JAG trials and courts-martial, and did a little mini boot training. bosco: How is CBS to work with, as a network? CatherineBell: CBS is amazing! I've only been on CBS but.... knowing what other people go through on other networks, I just love them. Leslie Moonvest is the head of CBS, and has always believed in our show. He's stuck with us and it's paid off, as we're now number one in our time slot! And we're up against Mad About You and Home Improvement. maureen: What was it like moving to America when you were young? CatherineBell: I don't remember! I was almost three. I've been in L.A. since then. I love England though; I've been back a few times and just love it. My favorite thing to do there is going to museums and all the castles. Oh, and my husband and I went mountain biking across England on our honeymoon! That was pretty fun too! hf: Are they going to continue the flirtation between Mac and the Admiral? CatherineBell: Aha! Well, the attraction is definitely there, and I'm not sure what Don Belisario has in mind. We'll have to see what next season has in store. It's always lurking in the background. I have a feeling they will maintain their professionalism however.: arriall: Are you going to be doing and movies or guest appearances between the seasons? When do you start next season filming? CatherineBell: We start up again the first week of July, which doesn't leave me a lot of time. I may end up doing a guest appearance or a cameo in something, but nothing definite yet. Mostly I want to just relax. I'm going to Jamaica tomorrow - that'll be really relaxing. I'll do everything from staying home and watching movies, making dinner with my husband - to motor bike riding, water skiing, all different types of sports. jdean: Hello, Catherine, I enjoy your show and watch it every Tuesday night. CatherineBell: Great! Thank you! dynomite: i love you on JAG. you are my absolute favorite character. when can i see you on the big screen? CatherineBell: Hmmm.. not too soon. I'm not really working on anything at the moment - JAG is full time, plus! So, it's going to be a little while, but within the next couple of years. evergreen: Excuse me.. what does J.A.G. stand for? CatherineBell: JAG is an acronym for the Judge Advocate General, which is the judicial system of the military. chegwidden_fan: Are Mac and Chegwidden going to be able to put the near kiss aside and stop being uncomforable around each other? CatherineBell: Eventually, I'm sure their professionalism will win out. smouse: You portray a military character so well. Did you have an interest in the military prior to JAG? CatherineBell: I had very, very little knowledge or experience with the military before JAG, and I had to do a lot of research. I didn't really know the difference between the four branches of the military! What I know comes from reading, meeting people and learning all I could. spookman: Which did you prefer to wear, Navy White or Marine Green? As a former squid I prefer you in Navy White, but I'm kinda biased! CatherineBell: Don't tell any marines this, but I do think the Navy uniforms are pretty sharp! Our technical advisor is a 22-year marine corps veteran, and he's a real stickler! justina :Which is your favorite issue of JAG and why? CatherineBell: I would have to say The Stalker, mainly because I got to really act. I got to do a lot of different emotions.. get stalked, and drunk.. deal with the death of a loved one, and deal with many different emotions that I don't get to explore on JAG on a usual basis. I was surprised how easily it came, although I hadn't done it for a while. When it came time to do it, it was there, which was very rewarding and exciting as an artist. ltkpike: I have to say.. you all should get a WELL DESERVED vacation after the outstanding year you've had! CatherineBell: Thank you very much! And I'm taking one, starting tomorrow!: -) arizona: To what do you attribute the appeal of JAG? CatherineBell: I think that the military aspect appeals to a lot of people, but the show is starting to broaden its fan base to people who are outside the military. The unique thing about our show is that we have a very diverse and unique blend of comedy, drama, action, relationships - it's a little bit of everything, and for every one. majmac: JAG is wonderful and you portray a great role model - in what direction would you like the series to head? CatherineBell: I really like the direction it's been heading. This was, I think, the best season of JAG so far. The chemistry between Catherine and Bruce is great, and the writing is better..and I'd just like to see more great stories and scripts. sorcha: Has Jag been officially renewed for next season? CatherineBell: Yes it has! I think we've known for a while that we were going to be renewed, but we didn't get the Official Word until last week. It's been climbing in the ratings for the past few months and broke into the top twenty twice - so I think it was inevitable. dricks: how was playing 2 different characters, Diane and Mac, on the same show? CatherineBell: It was a very unusual experience. I loved it though! I couldn't have been more thrilled that I was killed off in one episode and brought back as a series regular in the next. So it's been a wonderful ride for me! absolute: Where did you study acting? CatherineBell: I've been studying with the same coach for the past either years, and he's Milton Katelas, and he's absolutely amazing. I still see him when I can. timeline :Who would you like to work with, as in leading men, in the future? CatherineBell: John Travolta's probably at the top of my list. I would love to work with Susan Sarandon, she's amazing. As for Directors, I love action films a lot, so John Woo is one of my favorites! latenight: says : Has your family always been supportive of your career decision? CatherineBell: Yes, I originally wanted to be an artist, and my Mom wanted me to go to UCLA and be a doctor or something. But once I made the decision to be an actress, she and the rest of my family have always been very supportive of me. catrina :At what age did you start acting? CatherineBell: I started acting when I was about 18. I was a model for a couple of years before that. I wasn't really 'discovered'. I got into an acting class by accident, and once I was in I found that I really, really loved it. It was a way to overcome my shyness, to express my feelings and emotions. And within six months to a year, I was hooked. Definitely not 'discovered'. It took nine years to get that big break. arriall: Will we get to see more of Webb? (If not, please pass along the message that the fans love to hate him. *grin*) CatherineBell: He is the man to hate, isn't he?! LOL He's actually going to be back in two weeks for the season finale, which has lots of surprises. Sometimes you love him, sometimes you don't. aurelia: What preparation or education would you advise that a young actor actress get to start a career? CatherineBell: I would definitely say acting classes. Watch as many movies as you can, and if you have a chance at all, do theatre. It's a great training ground. I didn't do a lot of it, but I know that David, my co-star, had theatre as his background, and he highly recommends it. cymbeline: Do you work with any charities or other causes? CatherineBell: Yes, I'm involved with a few of them. The two that I spend the most time with are Children's Hospital and the Buonaconti Foundation, which is trying to find a cure for paralysis. bubba :What place would you most like to visit, or live, and why? CatherineBell: The next spot, on my next vacation, will be Italy. Again, it's the museums, and the old buildings and the history! Someday I'd like to have homes all over the world, because I can't decide. I love Seattle.. I love Scotland.. who knows where I'd live. I love cold, rainy weather. demon: What's the one most valuable piece of advice you've ever received? How did it affect your life? CatherineBell: I think it came from a quote, which I've heard a number of times in different ways. It goes something like: Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. That's helped a lot in my career. Luck doesn't just happen to you. You have to work very hard, and be ready when it comes along. evangeline: If you could play any role on stage, film or TV, what would it be? CatherineBell: Probably some of the old Audrey Hepburn roles. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina... jumpgirl: What do you do to keep is such wonderful shape? CatherineBell: Thank you! The last two months, nothing! I've been too tired! But usually I just try to squeeze in workouts whenever I can even if it's just 15 minutes on a lunch break. During the week, it can be running, hiking, biking - a few pushups between takes - anything I can squeeze in. deadeye_37: Have you ever met any real JAGS CatherineBell: I met a number of real JAGS, and the one thing that I hear most often is that their job is nothing like what we portray on TV. Mostly they say they sit behind desks and do paperwork@ But they love that we make them look so glamorous! hotstone30: So far, in your career what is the most memorable thing that you will forever remember?(like a certian movie star you have always dreamed about seeing) CatherineBell: I think the most memorable thing was getting the phonecall that I'd got JAG. This huge life-changing moment of going from zero to 90 in two seconds! I don't have much of a personal life any more. I miss having a lot of free time to just relax. Getting recognized is fun, and so far it hasn't gotten overwhelming. Learning to live with less sleep, and less of the fun things I like to do has been part of the change. hf: Will you be attending Take a Chance with the Stars again? CatherineBell: I'm not sure when it is, but if I'm not working, I'll definitely be there for Take a Chance with the Stars. sorrel: have you ever gone up in a fighter plane, do you want to? CatherineBell: I have. I've been up in an F-16 with the Air Force Thunderbirds. Pulled nine G's. It was unbelievable! It was an invitation from the Marine Corps, because it was a marine base. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I may be going up with the Blue Angels later this year. heavensg8: do you like playing the part of an investigating officer in the military? CatherineBell: Yes, it's a blast! I get to do all kinds of different things.. to investigate, prosecute, defend... travel all over the globe, although we're pretty much based in Southern California. shernon_1955: Is there a subject you would like to see as an episode on Jag? CatherineBell: Every time I think of one, we end up doing it. Stuff is pulled right out of the news, which is great. There's not really anything I'd think of that we haven't already done. win :Do the cast and crew member socialize after hours? CatherineBell: Since we spend 16 hours a day together there's very little after-hours time, and we usually spend it with our own families. ltkpike :do you have any idea when the SELF magazine with your article is going to be out in the stores? I have been looking CatherineBell:: I think that got postponed, and instead they're going to be doing more of a beauty article, sometime in the next 6 months. carolc: You sound exhausted,Catherine. Is there a point when someday you say thats it, the price is too high? CatherineBell: No, never. I do get very exhausted and wish I had some extra time, but it's worth everything! I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. A few years from now, maybe. timeline :What is a typical work day for you CatherineBell: It starts with 90 minutes in the hair and make-up chairs, and then it's pretty much action-packed for the rest of the day with shooting and rehearsals, half an hour for lunch, and then it ends with coming home and working on my lines and maybe working on my lines a little bit. ezguest10: How do you enjoy working with the cast of JAG? CatherineBell: Everyone on the cast is great! We have a lot of fun together. Everyone is very funny, and it just makes the hours a lot more bearable, and a lot more fun. arriall :Have you had any chance to do some painting this season--I don't suppose you get much time off while filming. CatherineBell: No, unfortunately I haven't had any time, although I'm hoping to squeeze in a little during my 6-week hiatus. I do miss it. I enjoy painting a little bit of everything. bosco: Where do you hope you'll be professionally in say 5 years? CatherineBell: I would love to have had a nice long run on JAG, and be well on my way to making lots of great movies by then! I can see myself in dramas and action, and maybe someday comedies - romantic comedies are great! copeland :What other shows have you been on to date? CatherineBell: I've been on Friends, Dream On, Hercules, and a bunch of other small roles. Those are some of the bigger ones. ashleyo :Can you give us any spoilers for next year's JAG? CatherineBell: I haven't even been told what's going to happen for next year. I've been told it's going to be very interesting. We end with a stolen MIG being shot at by a mysterious Russian, it's a cliffhanger, and you'll have to tune in and see what's going to happen!