Dana Delany and Bob Saget on AOL Chat, 11/13/1996
OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.
OnlineHost: Your hosts this evening are Jo Ellen (AOLiveMC4) and Heather (AOLiveMC2).
OnlineHost: While Bob Saget will soon begin his eighth season as host and co-writer of ABC's highly successful reality-based "America's Funniest Home Videos," his life and career have recently taken on a new direction. Welcome!
DlanySaget: Hey everybody....We're doing press in New York and yes, I, Bob am typing with Dana Delany in the room.
OnlineHost: Dana Delany is perhaps best known for her role as Army nurse Colleen McMurphy on ABC's acclaimed series, "CHINA BEACH," for which she received three Emmy nominations and two Emmy Awards for Best Actress. Welcome!
AOLiveMC4: Welcome, Bob Saget and Dana Delany!
DlanySaget: Thanks...Dana says it's "4 nominations..." Ha...I would assume so...Bob is the typist....
AOLiveMC4: Are you two ready for some audience questions?
AOLiveMC4: OK, our first question this evening comes from DPine 22:
Question: Bob, have you ever considered writing a book about the best home videos you have come across? I know a good literary agent!
DlanySaget: Thanks, but I am not the producer....maybe Vin Dibona would like to do a book....but it IS a 'video' show, so I think it's best left in that form.
OnlineHost: ARoberta2 has this question:
Question: Bob: Do any of your three daughters display your sense of humor? If yes, how so?
DlanySaget: They are all funny, especially my 7 year old who values bathroom humor almost as much as I do.
OnlineHost: DDevooght inquires:
Question: Bob... will there be a holiday " Full House" special?
DlanySaget: Mainly we're here to promote "For Hope," a movie Dana starred in on ABC this Sunday at 9pm that I directed....no "Full House" specials....ever....sorry. "For Hope" is loosely based on events that happened to my family when my sister passed away two years ago from a disease called Scleroderma. It's more prevalent than people might think and the film was made to try to get the word out and try to find a cure, which we're working on.
AOLiveMC4: Our next question came in before our "For Hope" discussion, and it is for Dana:
AOLiveMC4: It is from BGREENEYE:
Question: Dana...I absolutely loved your role in "CHINA BEACH"...what have you been doing since that show went off the air?
DlanySaget: Thanks, I miss "China Beach." I've been busy doing movies and now I'm especially proud of "For Hope".
OnlineHost: CCIvyA has sent this question:
Question: So Bob, now that you've done both, which do you prefer: directing or acting?
DlanySaget: I love directing and acting. I look forward to doing more of both before I get really old and I start to decompose.
OnlineHost: USFUSF wants to know:
Question: For Dana: Was it hard to play the role of a Scleroderma patient? I heard on Oprah that you had to wear a lot of makeup?
DlanySaget: I spent 6 hours in make-up wearing a full mask of prosthetics, but it's a lot harder having the disease than pretending to have it.
OnlineHost: LinusT sends this thought to Bob Saget and Dana Delany:
Question: Hi Bob & Dana, I am a Systemic SD pt since 1994. I just want to thank you all for this movie and helping so much to bring about public awareness. Will you ever travel the country , if asked to discuss SD and the need to help find a cause and eventually.
DlanySaget: We have been traveling the country and attend screenings that act as fund raisers to try to raise more money for research for the SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE. Thank you, by the way for saying something so nice, and we feel for what you've been going through.
Obviously, there are many different manifestations of Scleroderma, in Bob Saget's case, it was his sister who died after only being diagnosed with it after two years. The character of Hope in the film has it about the same length of time.
AOLiveMC4: LinusT also has sent this question:
Question: What kind of support will there be after the movie "For Hope" for patients to contact?
DlanySaget: There's the 800 number of the SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441- CURE, but there are also chapters of smaller groups around the country that provide support for those who have trouble dealing with it. The SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION is using the collaborative approach to actually cure the disease and they are getting very close thanks to Johns Hopkins, UCSF and the Scripts Institute to name a few.
OnlineHost: JuJi4ever inquires:
Question: Mr. Saget it must have been extremely emotional for you doing the movie "For Hope." Were there any days you felt you just could not cope, and needed to walk away?
DlanySaget: Never. I loved doing the movie. The cast was truly amazing....Dana Delany, Henry Czerny, Polly Bergen, Harold Gould, Tracy Nelson, Chris Demetral, our writer, Susan Rice, our producer, Karen Moore, Exec. Producer, Brad Grey...these things help. Editing was difficult watching the more painful stuff day after day with my editor, Michael Murphy. Should I name drop more?....no, I know....but the film has some comedy in it too -- its not I think your typical disease of the week movie.
OnlineHost: CoryG17 from our audience wants to ask Dana Delany:
Question: Dana, I love the work that you've done and I think that you are an extremely beautiful woman. what are you working on next?
DlanySaget: After "For Hope," I can be seen in a movie called "Wide Awake," and then a mini-series on CBS called "True Women" which I am shooting in Texas now. Well, not now, when I go back next week.
OnlineHost: CCMarkE inquires:
Question: Dana, why were you interested in working on the is project with Bob?
DlanySaget: My friend, Sharon Monsky has the disease, Scleroderma, and Bob and I have been friends for some time. But the surprise turned out to be (she's making me type this, I swear!!) what a great director Bob is...(I SWEAR I DIDNT WANT TO TYPE THIS!) and I swear he didn't pay me.
AOLiveMC4: A nice compliment and a question from DanBressl for Bob Saget:
Question: Bob Saget: Is it possible to send me your autograph on a photo? I'm one of your greatest fans, and I think this movie is going to be very touching. Can't wait to see it!
DlanySaget: Thank you so much....for pictures of either Dana or myself you can write to: ABC TV 2040 Ave. of the Stars...LA, CA 90067.
AOLiveMC4: Vddor asks this next question:
Question: Bob, have you seen the TV Guide article yet?
DlanySaget: Yes we both have. We're very glad the number of the SCLERODERMA RESEARCH
FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE, was in the article....this paste and cut feature sure comes in handy.... SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE.....SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE.....wow this is so cool!!! SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE.....sorry...Dana says "enough already..."
AOLiveMC4: Our next question is from MellissG:
Question: Could you tell us a little about the movie?
DlanySaget: Dana: Let's see, Bob's sister Gay was diagnosed with Scleroderma 4 years ago and the film is about how his family dealt with her illness. Excuse me, it's LOOSELY based on those facts. Uh...But remember it is very funny and very moving...
AOLiveMC4: We heard about Dana's plans, now HCook7783 wants to know about Bob's:
Question: THIS IS FOR BOB WHAT NEW PROJECTS ARE IN THE WORKS?
DlanySaget: CAPS!! COOL!! Um...I'm currently about to direct a TV movie for Lifetime, a romantic comedy called "Jitters". I also have other projects I'm developing.
AOLiveMC4: DWood4700 has this question, as do many in our audience tonight:
Question: Do you miss "Full House?"
DlanySaget: SCLERODERMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 800-441-CURE.....Ha...sorry again...it just happened. I liked doing "Full House" but I love the new direction my career is going in we all keep in touch.
AOLiveMC4: CCIvyA has sent this question for Dana Delany:
Question: Dana, what was the most challenging part of portraying Hope?
DlanySaget: Good question. I think it was honestly facing one's own mortality. Also, not being able to eat through the make up, but I did lose 5 pounds which made me very happy.
AOLiveMC4: CCIvyA also asks:
Question: Dana, did you know anything about the disease Scleroderma before you took on the role of Hope?
DlanySaget: Yes, I have been involved with the Scleroderma Research Foundation for 5 years....each year I seem to get more involved.
AOLiveMC4: JDandy937 asks:
Question: Bob, was making "For Hope" cathartic for you? How did you handle the feelings that arose?
DlanySaget: I drank a lot of Evian.....uh....I am still not truly dealing with it as this PR tour we're on is a bit odd...talking about such personal stuff with basically strangers is odd, but the higher purpose is making more people aware of the disease and trying to cure it. Paying tribute to my sister and my family also drives me right now, but honestly, I am not over it and probably never will be as any of you know who've lost someone close to you.
AOLiveMC4: MMGallard has this question:
Question: What exactly is Scleroderma?
DlanySaget: DANA: Scleroderma is an autoimmune connective tissue disease. 80% of the people who have it are women in their child bearing years. The body produces too much collagen which ironically turns the connective tissue to stone. This includes skin, and sometimes the tissue around your lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and heart. Sometimes it only affects people's skin-- extremities. It literally means, "hard skin." we believe that over 500,000 people in the U.S. have it. That's more than muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. Thanks for asking.
AOLiveMC4: Sentiva2 has sent this question for Bob Saget:
Question: What treatment was your sister receiving for her SD. What medications did she receive?
DlanySaget: She received the best care available at the present time in Los Angeles. She was on all kinds of drugs...many cortozones, prednazones and the like to reduce the swelling and try to combat the progression of the disease, but unfortunately, we are not yet able to put into human practice what we can do in a laboratory environment. Some people prefer alternative methods. Like acupuncture and homeopathic treatments. My sister did not go that route, but her doctors tried their hardest to cure her, that's why I wanted to make this film. Because as advanced as we are in medicine, we have a long way to go. Dana, Sharon Monsky and myself went to Washington to speak to Senators Arlen Spector, Barbara Boxer and Tom Harkin, trying to raise NIH/government funds to match the money's that have been raised independently so far by the Scleroderma Research Foundation....Just 3 million...Howard the Duck cost 50 million....I think we need to appropriate funds more or just get better scripts!
AOLiveMC4: AndreaMF from our audience asks Bob Saget and Dana Delany:
Question: When did you film "For Hope?" I heard something about you doing it awhile back.
DlanySaget: April, '96....in Vancouver.
AOLiveMC4: JKramer42 asks:
Question: I watched you on Oprah, and it is so sad what happens in that disease. It is hereditary?
DlanySaget: Not to our knowledge...
AOLiveMC4: CBazzano asks:
Question: Dana - how did you prepare for your role in "For Hope?"
DlanySaget: I met with my friend Sharon Monsky. I asked her very personal questions which I said she didn't have to answer. She was very forthright. I was shocked by how difficult every day is for her. Just the simple task of washing your hair becomes an ordeal. The pain is more than I could ever imagine.
AOLiveMC4: SKMcCarty has sent this question for Bob Saget:
Question: Bob: Is this movie adapted from a book you wrote?
DlanySaget: No, this film was written by SUSAN RICE, who hung out with my family for a week and was able to somehow find the humor my family possessed and incorporate it into the script. She is a beautiful woman and she is going to have my baby...
AOLiveMC4: ARoberta2 has sent this comment and question:
Question: This isn't going to be an easy movie to watch. What did you do to make sure the focus was on your sister's essence and not just the disease?
DlanySaget: Good question. I think the comedy we tried to thread the movie with helps--as it helped my family in dealing with the pain. I think, having seen the film over a thousand times, that commercials may help in the way that they provide a breather.
DlanySaget: DANA: The film is really about hope and life, not about death.
AOLiveMC4: Ayasussyof sends this:
Question: What do you think of all the attention to SD on the net, like websites, chat/support on AOL, and newsgroups? Are you encouraged by the attention?
DlanySaget: DANA: yes, I believe this is the year of Scleroderma. People who couldn't pronounce it before are talking about it.
AOLiveMC4: SofaGeorge asks this important question:
Question: When will FOR HOPE be airing?
DlanySaget: "For Hope" airs this Sunday, Nov. 17th on ABC at 9pm, 8 pm Central time....and on the Lifetime cable network, 9pm Friday night, Nov. 22 at 9pm. DO NOT WATCH THE TITANIC!! It just sinks---we are uplifting and life affirming. Women and children in lifeboats, you've seen...we've got women and children first too. Sheryl Crow wrote a song for us. And we've got guest cameos....half their cast dies....only one of our cast...ouch....sorry....it's the kind of poor taste humor I'm known for.
AOLiveMC4: Bev2311 asks:
Question: I hear Polly Bergen's sister has Scleroderma. Are there any other well known people with Scleroderma or lupus that you know of?
DlanySaget: Jason Alexander's sister has it....James MacDaniel's mom passed away from it....Lilly Tomlin's Aunt. This is nice...name dropping celebrity disease connections.
AOLiveMC4: And for those who didn't write it down earlier, DrStas asks our last question:
Question: When is the movie on? What channel?
DlanySaget: Nov 17, ABC, 9pm, 8 central. Thank you all so much for signing on and asking questions, Though we didn't get all the nasty ones, oh well, the host censored the cheesy ones too...but thanks everyone...this means a lot to both of us.
AOLiveMC4: Thank you, Dana Delany and Bob Saget, for being here with us tonight!
DlanySaget: Thank you.......:---) I meant :-) Alrighty---goodnight all.
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Transmitted: 11/13/1996 10:02 PM