TvGuide 4/18/01

TV Guide Online:  We are now talking with Felicity star Keri Russell! Hi, Keri! Thanks for joining us!

Keri Russell:  Thank you very much!

Question:  Keri, how long do you anticipate that Felicity will be carried by The WB?

It's a great show, but why isn't it on consistently?

Keri Russell:  Basically, we don't have good ratings. :( I think we have a smaller fan base, a very passionate fan base. I think last year, when they were picking up shows, they weren't sure how our show would perform. That's why we only got picked up for a shorter season, and why they had to pick up another show for the halfway point.

Question:  Were you excited when you got the roll of Felicity? What were your first reactions?

Keri Russell:  Yeah. The pilot was one of my favorite work experiences. It's actually one of my favorite stories, a nice slice of that character's life. It's still is one of the most dynamic, encouraging stories that I've read.

Question:  Is Felicity going to stay with Ben?

Keri Russell:  Well, I do not write the show... :) But it is a drama, so my answer would be to continue drama, things have to be constantly in a state of change. But I have no idea. :)

Question:  Hi, Keri, from me and my friend Megan. I just thought you'd like to know you are GREAT!! Can you give us any hints to who got shot? Or at least to your new movie with Mel Gibson?

Keri Russell:  Well, that's so nice!! Well, I can't tell you who got shot, but you don't have too much longer to wait. And the movie with Mel Gibson is called "We Were Soldiers Once and Young", and I just finished my part of the movie, shooting in Georgia. It's a Vietnam story, and I play a young soldier's wife (Chris Klein).

Question:  I've been following your work since "Honey, I Blew Up the Kids, Was that your first movie? What was your favorite movie to work on?

Keri Russell:  Yes, that was my first movie. I was doing that simultaneously with the first season I did of "The Mickey Mouse Club".

Question:  Kids Only:  Elizabeth:  Is it hard to memorize all those lines?

Keri Russell:  Usually, if the scene is really good or if I just happen to really have a connection to that particular scene, I can read it once or twice and have it memorized. But it just depends. Some are easier than others.

Question:  Keri, first off, I love you and your show. I was wondering how you would react personally if the same incident happened, as it did with Ben's dad and yourself.

Keri Russell:  I don't know... that was reeeeeeally weird. I have no idea, because nothing like that has ever happened to me. I just really have no idea how I would react.

Question:  Kids Only:  Kristie:  How did you get your nickname, Care Bear?

Keri Russell:  It's really not a nickname anymore. When I was 15 years old, on "The Mickey Mouse Club," Disney made bios for all of us, and somehow the nickname Care Bear got listed on that bio. I don't even know who called me that... must have been one of the kids on the show. It pops up every now and then, along with other comments from that time, like I enjoy virgin pina coladas, and my favorite pastime is having barbecues with my family. LOL.

Question:  Do you keep in touch with any of your co-stars from "The Mickey Mouse Club"?

Keri Russell:  Yes, I do. I'm actually going to go visit Ilana, who was on the show, tomorrow. She's going to school in Europe, so I'm going to see her there. And I just saw Josh. He had a Passover dinner, and Dale was there. I just talked to TONY LUCCA on the phone, and he has a bunch of music shows coming up in LA in the next month. So, yeah, they're all still my friends. :)

Question:  Are you currently going to college as well as you are filming and shooting your WB show?

Keri Russell:  No, I'm not.

Question:  Will Amy Jo Johnson be reappearing anytime soon?

Keri Russell:  I'm not sure. I know she was recording an album -- she's a singer/songwriter -- and I know the producers had talked about her coming back. But I don't know for sure.

Question:  Kids Only:  Kristine:  When you were young, were you better at dancing or acting?

Keri Russell:  Well, I was only a dancer, so... I guess dance. That was definitely the only thing I did, and the only thing I wanted to do.

Question:  Hi, Keri! What's your most memorable scene from the show?

Keri Russell:  Hmmmmm... The very first time I watched the show, the producers showed me a cut of it, and the scene where I really started watching it and taking it in as a story, rather than as an actor watching myself, was the scene where Felicity is in her counselor's office, and he says to her as she's walking out the door, You know, you're really good, meaning her art, and she just looks at him and says, Thank you, in a way like she can't believe that someone would say that. There's just something about that scene that I can really relate to, the whole idea of not seeing the potential that someone else sees in you.

Question:  Hi, Keri!!! I really love your show. I think you're a great actor. Who do you think inspired you most pursue your acting career?

Keri Russell:  Well, I was a dancer. I never really wanted to be an actor. I don't know... I've always loved going to see movies, and there isn't one actor in particular. It's more the escapism of a story and the wishing that, for those two hours, that was your life.

Question:  Will we hear anything else from Sally?

Keri Russell:  That's a good question. I would say write to J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves. I miss her too!

Question:  Hi, Keri! Did you like the old theme or the new theme for the show better?

Keri Russell:  Well, I love the old one, and didn't think that I would ever like the new one. But it's definitely grown on me.

Question:  I think you're one of the greatest young actors in Hollywood. And your style is classy, yet fit to the new day and age. Who's your favorite designer?

Keri Russell:  I'm just going to preface this by saying that I know nothing about fashion. So bear that in mind! LOL But I do like this new designer Rozae Nichols... she makes really cool interesting pieces I like. And I like Katyonne Adeli, because she makes men's-cut pants for women. I like kinda more masculine-cut things.

Question:  Your character on the show has an interest in art; do you have any interest in art?

Keri Russell:  I'm just slowly gaining an interest. I love photography, like Dorthea Lange -- her black and white photography, I love. But an interest is slowly creeping up on me.

Question:  Please, Keri, tell us about that mysterious green necklace you have been wearing on the show.

Keri Russell:  I think I know which one you're talking about. I found it at this store in Malibu. I actually bought it for myself and started wearing it on the show as well. But I love it. I think it's really unique and beautiful. It's made out of turquoise, and I think someone local in California made it.

Question:  Can you give us any hints on tonight's show?

Keri Russell:  The thing I can say is... the big reveal of who gets shot will have a direct effect on Felicity and her relationship with Ben.

Question:  Kids Only:  Leigh:  How long does it take to do one show?

Keri Russell:  Usually anywhere between six to eight shooting days, and a shooting day is anywhere from 12 to 15 hours... on a good day. :)

Question:  Felicity, your show is absolutely addictive, and I love Noel so much. Is Javier as funny and adorable off camera as he is on the show?

Keri Russell:  Ian plays Javier, and Ian is NOTHING like Javier. Ian is hilarious and incredibly talented, completely straight, grew up in New York, and soooo cool!

Question:  Does Molly's boyfriend get in trouble for the shooting?

Keri Russell:  Well, you'll just have to watch and find out... ;)

Question:  Do you think Felicity will get picked up next season??? I pray!!!

Keri Russell:  I am in no control of that. But I do think it would be interesting to complete Felicity's college experience with a senior year, and the idea of that is very nostalgic and emotional to me personally. So write The WB and cast your vote!

TV Guide Online:  Thank you, Keri! We can't wait for the premiere tonight! We wish you the best in everything. Please come back soon!

Keri Russell:  Thank you very much! :)