Chat Transcript from On the Porch with Mary
Special guest: Leslie Charleson
September 8, 1997

Mary says, "Welcome everyone to On the Porch with Mary! This is Mary Furlong, CEO of Third Age Media...Countless love affairs, senseless murders, malpractice suits, a near-fatal fight with breast cancer--most of us don't lead such turbulent lives, but Dr. Monica Quartermaine, General Hospital's 20 year veteran, has traveled all these perilous paths and more."

"Celebrating her 20th anniversary on General Hospital, actress Leslie Charleson has also guest starred on over 25 television series, including "The Streets of San Francisco," "Happy Days," and "The Rockford Files."

"Welcome to On the Porch Leslie!"

Leslie says, "Thank you so very much and in case anybody didn't know ..I was the first to kiss Ron Howard on television ;o) and that was of course on Happy Days and thank you all for inviting me to your porch!"

Mary says, "I've been a fan of yours for years."

Leslie says, "thank you so much!"

Mary says, "We describe Third Agers as active older adults who are championing a new vision of aging characterized by a sense of accomplishments and fresh beginnings. How do you feel about being a Third Ager?"

Leslie says, "*sigh* oh dear .., A Third Ager .. I think probably, I have been able to learn an awful lot of the crafts and fortunately been able to make money at it ..."
"I think that we only learn by experience and ...General Hospital has escorted me that opportunity!!"

Mary says, "We have lots of audience members with their virtual hands raised..."let's turn to them..."

Mgrace2 says, "Hi Monica, I am a long time fan. Do you think the spin-off of General Hospital, Port Charles, will be a success?"

Leslie says, "I certainly hope so .. he has been a friend of mine for a long time... talented actors to be able to kick off a show. I'm fully convinced that between Kin , Lynn, and Sylvester from GH .."you can't have anything but ahead in Port Charles"

Lollysnana says, "What would you like to see as a story for Monica in the future?"

Leslie says, "ooh that's a toughy"
"The breast cancer was a story line that I had suggested myself and ummm"

"I put a lot of time and effort into it with our producer and at that time head writer .. right now I can only hope that the new head writers are going to find something that doesn't put Monica in prison for the rest of her life .."

"I have no idea to be honest!!"

Mary says, "haha"

"I never liked it when they put you in prison ;-)"

"Tell us a little about the reaction from the public to the story. Did you get many letters?"

Leslie says, "**LOL**"
"on the breast cancer?"

Mary says, "yes"

Leslie says, "It was the most impressive story that affected me the most because it ...was something that I felt very strongly about, having a mother with breast cancer ...in fact .. i don't know many people that haven't been touched by this dreadful disease"

Mary says, "Was the peer support on the show an important part of the story?"

Leslie says, "What was so impressive to me was that all of a sudden there were kids writing to me that were thanking me cuz they could now understand what their mother was going through. There were other people that said that to me cuz they went and got a mamogram ..."

"ummm...it made me aware because we just don't have an audience that we can touch like this and hopefully ...not only can we entertain ...we can educate!!"

Mary says, "Do you think online support groups can be helpful with stories like this?"

Leslie says, "Stuart had been my best friend for many years ...and his support was the most important thing--that he was there for me ... and the support groups that we had!"

"For the most part ... they were real part .. this was such an education for everybody"

"Online support groups ...I didn't get anybody out there talking about their experiences ... only being helpful. As I said before, people found out they weren't alone. They all of a sudden found someone being afraid and able to confront another person."

Mary says, "What is Alan like every day? Is it fun to kiss him?"

Leslie says, "**LOL**"
"Alan ..."

"What is Alan like every day ...."

"**LOL***"

"The great thing about our friendship is that we aren't together ""every day"

"Poor Stuart has the problem that he has a daytime wife and a nighttime wife and we are both continually picking on him ..."

"he is wonderfully supportive ...my big bear!! and hey ...how can anybody that plays prince charming not be a good KISSER!!"

Mary says, "lol!"

Lollysnana says, "Is Monica going to stay with Alan or are they planning another Q fiasco?"

Leslie says, "**LOL**"
"there are always fiasco's!! But i think in the end Monica and Alan will some how stumble their way back to each other!! Because the bottom line is .. they really have a good time together! *sigh*"

Mgrace2 says, "I know you are married to Alan, and have been for many years, but, excluding Alan, who has been the most challenging to work with?"

Leslie says, "Who has been the most challenging ... this is tough because we are confronted with actors and story lines all the time having an actor that you know and comfortable with. It's always a challenge!! I cannot .. do not know that I can--a challenge--it's basically all a challenge!! The challenge is making it all work daily! I cannot single out one person. I could go backwards and say that the people that come to the show are scared to death of all the Quartermaines!!"

Vagabon says, "What was your favorite story line?"

Mary says, "Sorry...Mary fell off the porch!"

Leslie says, "haha!"

Sheilac asks: How did you like working with Lynn Herring?

Mgrace2 says, "General Hospital has tackled many controversial subjects, what is left for it to cover?"

Leslie says, "ummm I don't know how to answer this ...I think that any daytime drama .. you make the romance with it, the educating with it--I think educating is probably something that has to be in the mix with all the other since I've started. Now we are addressing things that are important. We never did that before. It's open season--we have the platform to do it . It's wonderful. From where I started where you couldn't even say the word abortion--we've certainly come a long way."

Mary says, "How did you feel when they gave you the script to have an affair with a younger man?"

Leslie says, "FINE!!! **LOL**"
"umm it was interesting because I knew kind of where it was going and although there were a lot of things that I didn't have to say or he didn't have to say...that's part of the reality of the story line, so I did it with a big smile and then went home and stuck my head in the air **LOL**"

Mary says, "Where do you think General Hospital will be 20 years from now?"

Leslie says, "**sigh** probably still in Port Charles! ahha ... ummm I think probably it will be all computerized and we'll also be on it but digitally more beautiful and younger ...and you'll be calling to tell us what our story lines are. I'm probably right ... ewww isn't that sad!!"

Mary says, "What issues would you like to see Third Age women, like yourself, deal with on the show?"

Leslie says, "ummm, gosh you could say ... there's always a topic of menopause and what's that all about. I don't like putting it into categories, but I do like the fact that there are a lot of actresses in my category and we are working very hard to see that there is life after 40. It's the BEST years!!"

Mary says, "Why is it the best years? I tend to agree."

Smyley asks: do you believe "entertainment" programs need to deal with issues?

Leslie says, "because you have history and experience behind you and you have the knowledge that you have accumulated that you can bring to and use and not hopefully fumbling about so much!!"

Mary says, "Do people confuse you in real life with your character? Do people ever ask you for medical advice?"

Leslie says, "yes people confuse me in real life all the time with my character!! It's ... there was a woman that came up to me in the airport once very well dressed...took me by the arm, yanked me over to a group and introduced me as her friend "Monica."

Mary says, "*lol*. I think many people think of you as their friend Monica. I know I do."

Leslie says, "She apoligized and said i'd been in her life for so long ... but it's ok that they think of me as monica .. except [when] they don't like me and I don't wanna get hit!! And that's happened too!!"

Mary says, "*lol*"

Leslie says, "medical advice ... **LOL** I think they've finally figured fortunately not to ask anymore!!"

Mary says, "I think you're a role model for Third Age women."

Leslie says, "Well, that is a very high complement and I thank you and hope that I can live up to that!"

Mary says, "What advice would you give to Third Agers who want to take up acting?"

Leslie says, "ahhh good question!! My advice would be to get involved with community theatre. If there isn't one then, get one going!! Or have play readings ... poetry readings .. anything ... especially on a community level. There's nothing better ... especially involving yourself with children's theatre's .. being a director , anything that get's you."

Whttgr asks: Hi Leslie, after working so many years with the actor who plays Alan, do you feel an emotional bond with him?

Leslie says, "**LOL** absolutely!!! and I feel very grateful that having to spend 20 years opposite an actor that I truly respect, admire, and love dearly has made the time just go by in the wink of an eye. He has been my best friend, soul mate and worst critique!! And I won't trade him in for anybody!! In the 20 years we have learned and grown together that it's something you can't ask for much more than that of actors."

Mary says, "What is your shooting schedule like?"

Leslie says, "Our show begins shooting at 8:30 am ... if you're in the first scene my call would be at 7am to leave 1.5 hours for makeup and hair ... then we go on stage at 8:30. At 12:30 ... there's a lunch break till 1:30 ... then till the end of the day is how our shooting schedule works. It can fluctuate as far as when you fall on the shoot schedule, it changes ... we do shoot 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year."

Mary says, "That's worse than a Web startup!"

Leslie says, "You have to think a long time ahead for a vacation ... I just had one when I discovered I hadn't been away since 1989. **LOL** True true!"

Mary says, "After 8 years of no vacation, where did you go?"

Leslie says, "ahhh I went to Paris ...Venice ... and Orient Express back to London for 4 days."

Mary says, "I just came back last night from Denmark myself."

Leslie says, "Did you??"

Mary says, "How do you memorize your lines? Do you forget them ever and ad lib?"

Leslie says, "**sigh** NO!! well yes ... you could forget ... ad lib no! When I started on television it was live and I don't want to go back. I can't think how we ever managed to do it .. with the best training I ever could have ...and wished the actors now would have the same experiences. It's truly theatre and it makes you respect your craft very quickly.They used to have tele promptors ...I never could use them because they were usually running backwards or I didn't know how to use them ...There is an art to it .. I never mastered it so learning lines was something that fortunately came easy.When you get to know the character it becomes more comfortable ... we are only as good as the writing!! When the words are there .. then it's a joy!! when the're not .. it's a lot of work."

Mary says, "Who has influenced you most career wise?"

Leslie says, "wow! This might sound odd ... but me!! I've been fortunate to have dabbled in theatre and movies and television and I've found that what I love to do is act and to do it on a regular basis and the fact that I've so much enjoyed the relationships has influenced me to stay and go on. You can't do any better at what you enjoy and get paid for it!! I don't think it get's any better than that!"

Mary says, "Leslie, you seem so confident. What's your secret?"

Leslie says, "**LOL** confident ... oh fooled you didn't I!! The business that I'm in is well ... we are all very insecure people and we hide behind a lot of things ...I can't say I'm really confident .. who can say that? Hopeful!!"

Whttgr asks, "Leslie, how do you feel about the actor that plays Sonny(Maurice?) leaving the show?"

Leslie says, "umm I wish and love him ... I miss him! and ... hopefully this will be a stepping stone for him. Then he will be able to do whatever he wants .. he's great!"

Lollysnana asks: Do you like the new AJ?

Mary says, "How about Dr. Steve? He was always one of my favorites?"

Leslie says, "Dr. Steve Hardy?"

Mary says, "yes."
"America loved him."

Leslie says, "He ... scared me to death the first day I was on the show with his very gruff manner and I soon realized that he was the nicest person and the most dedicated. He loved what he did ... he was a constant professional! He used to tease me unmercifully .. and he was .. **LOL**-- I miss the twinkle in his eye and the gruffness that I finally figured out. We all miss him desperately (but every time I see the nurses station he's standing there and we all know it!"

Mary says, "What's next for Leslie?"

Leslie says, "for Leslie? ummm she's ... well going to be riding her horse that she hasn't seen in a month. My dear friend Gayle is helping me decorate my house ... that's the immediate plan so far" "

Lollysnana asks, Do you know if Steve Burton will be leaving in December as rumored or is he staying?

Leslie says, "Honestly ... I've heard both and honestly don't know ... I'll get back at you when I do find out though!"

Lollysnana asks: How is Sean Kanaan - We miss him terribly and hope he is alright.

Mary says, "Is there any male actor that makes you weak in the knees? For me it's Harrison Ford."

Leslie says, "ahhhh I'm with you Mary!!"

Mary says, "(think he'll come on the porch?) You can join us if he comes!"

Leslie says, "ahhh **sigh** If he does .. I've got to be here! **sigh** unless Elvis is in the building!!"

Mary says, "haha"

Leslie says, "I remember his serial number from when he was in the Army."
"I'm the only person left that thinks this way about Elvis!"

Lollysnana says, Leslie, re: Elvis --- You Are Not Alone!!!

Mary says, "Do you have any hobbies? What do you do to relax?"

Leslie says, "I have a beautiful Andulsian ... her name is Andarra .. we've been in the rose parade. She even does the Nut Cracker without me here in LA. August 19th in Soap Digest .. you'll see a full page of me and her. As far as a hobby goes ... she's wonderful, I can escape and I can drive with her and I learn a whole different set of rules from her. Sort of like the guys going to play golf .. it's a whole different thing, she has been wonderful--as a kid I adored horses, I'd have to say that it was General Hospital that afforded me the ability to understand and have the gift of having my own horse!" She's beautiful!!"

Mary says, "Do you think there will ever be a story on the show about the Internet, integrating into the characters' lives?"

Leslie says, "She was written in our fan club luncheon ... she's working more than I am right now!"

Mary says, "We just announced our first online romance here from our chat!"

Leslie says, "I'm real scared about this. I think that it can go many ways. I have been discouraged with what the Internet has done and really I don't like to say destroyed actor's careers with their criticism. I'm .. yes I am scared of what the internet can or can not do! People are so eager to be discouraging ... ummm that bothers me that they are more wanting to nail some body that applaud!! I would hope that we can use the Internet .. .the computer's in general, in a careful manner ..."

Mary says, "Is privacy an issue for you?"

Leslie says, "Privacy is an issue for all of us! And you don't even think about it until you don't have it ... it never occurs to anybody that their lives aren't private until they all of a sudden have someone standing outside their doors with camera's or their phones tapped or someone stalks you! It doesn't make a difference till it happens to you. It is such a violation!!!!!! We're getting awful public and it should be monitored ... there is no privacy!!"

Mary says, "One last question, what are your words to live by?"

Leslie says, "ah! Never look back and say "what if" and never lose the ability to laugh at yourself. It's tough! but I think it's true we must always keep a sense of humor--if we lose that ... then I don't think we have much hope! That's a very important thing ... you have to be able to find a smile to be able to laugh ..."

Mary says, "You've always been one of my favorites. Thank you for joining us... We hope you will come again, it's been great having you."

Leslie says, "and to Mary .. thank you--Iwant to know all about Denmark."

Mary says, "(laughing) Now you have me laughing too!"

Leslie says, "I would love to come again .. and thank you for asking me."

Mary says, "see you soon, and congratulations on your 20th. Next time we'll invite Harrison on the porch with us! Good night!"

Leslie says, "Thank you everyone!!"