Livechat with Kathy Najimi

Nbclive: Kathy, welcome to the NBC Live Studio!

Kathy: Hi everybody, I'm here! What can I do for you

Nbclive: Kathy, in addition to the fabulous hit "Veronica's Closet" what else are you working on?

Kathy: Good question! I have 2 movies coming out, one called Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock, and one called Zach and Reba. And I'm also the voice of Peggy on King of the Hill

IssacHayes asks: What kind of person is Olive? Is she anything like you?
Kathy: SHe's a more organized person than I am. She's probably a little more anal than I am, but other than that we have a lot in common. We're both feminists, flawed and hopefully funny.

Nbclive: I'm sure it would be great to work with her!

Kathy: She's also a lot more patient than I am. She puts up with a lot more s... than I do. Yes, it would

Tom09 asks: I love Veronica's Closet it is a great show. Have any of the cast members work together before?
Kathy: Yes, Kirstie and I did a movie last summer called Nevada. And Kirstie and Chill did a movie called Toothless, and I believe that's it.

Icepagoda asks: Of all of the characters you have protrayed, what makes the one you play on "Closet" stand out?
Kathy: She gets paid a lot more :-) I don't know that she stands out, I think that all of my characters are equally outstanding.

Nbclive: How is it working on the set?

Nbclive: Can you share just one?

Kathy: It's great, it's one of my favorite things about work, the set. I did an interview the other day and somebody asked me to tell them some funny stories. I realized I couldn't tell any because they were too insane. It's a lot of fun, I haven't worked on a tv show before, I'

Nbc_stars: 've heard that I'm lucky.

LOAF2000 asks: How has the birth of your child influenced the career decisions you make?
Kathy: It's the first thing that I think of before I make a decision. Everything I do now is based on the birth of my child. I did three movies right after she was born and realized very quickly that it wasn't going to be comfortable for her or me.

Nbclive: How flexible is it to have a baby and act on TV?

Kathy: And that was one of the deciding factors in choosing a television show. It was five in the morning in freezing weather in Chicago, running to my trailer to breast feed. It became very clear to me that I didn't want to do that anymore.

Kathy: I have no experience from other shows, but Veronica's Closet is extremely baby-friendly, and that is one of the deciding reasons that I'm there. You know, Kirstie Alley has her kids on the set, and I wouldn't do it if I couldn't bring my baby.

Liss1234 asks: How did you get your start in acting?
Kathy: I was sitting at a counter at Schwabs and I was discovered by Warren Beatty. No, I'm not serious

Kathy: I've been acting for 20 years. I acted in college and I did Kathy in Mo starting in 1984. Then I did Soap Dish and The Fisher King.

Nbclive: Any tips for young people trying to make it in the business?

Kathy: So professionally I started with Kathy and Mo off-broadway in 1989

Kathy: I really dont, I did it in such a round-about way, that I designed to fit my life. I didn't take acting classes or know anyone famous. I would say decide what you want to do. Believing you can do it is what will get you there.

Kathy: I came from a lower middle class family in San Diego with no training or money for training, no connections, I wasn't blonde and thin, I didn't take years of acting. I think that that is my biggest contribution for young people, to say that.

Nbclive: Great story.

Kathy: So if people are telling you that that's whats important, I'm an example that that's not necessarily true. I still can't believe it.

Nbclive: Of course you just answered our question about Bette Midler, WHAT was it like working with her?

Liss1234 asks: Did you enjoy working with Bette Midler in Hocus Pocus? What is she like?
Kathy: It was interesting, I was always sort of breathless. But we were in a situation where we were peers, so I had to act like it was just another actress. Like, Sarah Jessica and I would be standing there, and Bette would start humming, and we would be looking at each other like Bette Midler is standing there, humming, live

Nbclive: She also has an interesting past.

Kathy: It's hard to think of her as a normal person, because no, she's Bette Midler. Yes, she acts like a normal person, but still, she's Bette Midler.

Kathy: What was the most interesting thing, was that I learned so much about the way she handled her career and family simultaneously. I think she does that beautifully.

Nbclive: Any tips on managing a very busy career and life?

Kathy: No, but if anybody has some, I'd love to hear them.

Kathy: I feel like, as a working actress, I'm in a different class than most working mothers. And I feel guilty complaining even a tiny bit. I'm lucky to have a job, and money, and a nanny, and a caring husband. Some people have 2 jobs and 3 kids, so I feel like my life is not the ordinary working mother. I think it would be almost insulting to compare myself to that.

Nbclive: It's just so hard being a mother in the 90's.... working, etc.

Kathy: It is.

Nbclive: I know that you are involved with many issues - AIDS and the feminist movement. Have you been involved with children's groups?

Kathy: I work a lot with Caring for Babies with Aids, and Pediatric Aids, and I work with a mission in LA, where there are 10-15 women who's lives are in disorder for whatever reason, and I work with the mission to allow the women staying there to have their children with them. If anyone is interested, it's a great organization: The LA Mission Women's Program

Kathy: There are lots of women in Hollywood involved. Kathie Lee and tons of them, Debbie Allen.

Nbclive: Getting back to "Veronica' s Closet"....

Matrixmage asks: Is there anything you can tell us about how you were asked to be on Victoriea Closet?
Kathy: The phone rang, and I was asked.

Nbclive: "Veronica's Closet" NOT "Victoria's Closet"!

Star13fox asks: whats it like working with kirstie alley? is she fun to work with or is she really demanding?
Kathy: I love Kirstie Alley, it's one of the reasons I'm having such a good time. She's wild and generous and smart.

Nbclive: That must have been so exciting to work with Kirstie again!

Evemoon asks: Hi Kathy I was wondering how do you like working on television instead of movies
Kathy: I'm not crazy about the form of television, it's really quick, you get the script the same day that you block it. I'm used to film and stage where stage you have four to six weeks of rehearsal, where you can try them out and fail. You know, trial and error. TV is really quick, you do it, and if it didn't quite hit, it'll be gone the next day.

Kathy: I'm learning that there's a technique that you can still get the same results. When to pitch new lines, etc. I did a three week arc on Chicago Hope, and it was pretty different. So no, I'm not in love with the form of television.

Nbclive: Anything special about TV?

Kathy: I love show night, and the live audience. I wish there was just more play time with my cast. You pretty much have to hit the mark and say the line and move on.

IssacHayes asks: You've made a lot of films geared toward younger audiances, any particular reason?
A_Butter asks: Do you believe you have any responsibilities as someone who can influence youth?
Kathy: No, in fact, it was such a shock to me that I'd done all these kid films. I'd just come from Kathy and Mo which is very adult, from this political audience to kids running up to me in malls. It just happened that way. It was never a design of mine.

Nbclive: Or what you've done to help youth.

Kathy: I feel that I have an enormous responsibility because I'm a known person. I think that our responsibility is to voice our point of view and our passion. A lot of times people say actresses should be neutral, because you will be seen as all the different characters. I think that is a shame, I think the biggest thing I have to offer is my passion. I love it when celebrities use their celebrity for what they believe in.

Nbclive: Any other organizations that you want to get involved in, other than the ones you previously spoke about.

Kathy: I've done a lot of work for AIDS in the last few years, and I continue to. Project Angel Food we just did, it just takes and hour of your week and you deliver food to home bound people with AIDS. Also, PETA, I love them because they break the rules to get things done.

Nbclive: What's PETA working on?

Kathy: 2 years ago I did an ad campaign with Todd Oldham, I'd rather go Naked than wear Fur.

Kathy: Who wants to wear mascara that's been shoved in a bunny's eye? The crazy thing is they don't need to do it anymore, there's a million alternatives. Each week there are more and more companies who don't test on animals, so it is getting better.

Nbclive: Thinking of all these issues, are you working on a book?

Kathy: I'm also a big supporter of Gay and Lesbian Rights, I was the grand marshall of the Gay and Lesbian Pride parade this year. I'm supposed to be, but I don't work on it as much as I should. Does anybody have any ideas?

LurkerZs asks: How do you feel about all the media swirling around Ellen? After all she is your child's godmother, right?
Kathy: Yes absolutely, Ellen is one of the godmothers. My daughter has 2 godmothers and a godfather.

Kathy: I feel that it's great that there's a lot of media attention about the fact that she came out. I'm very proud of her, I don't think she has to do another thing her whole life, because she's done the most historic brave thing she could do. Do I feel that there should be a lot of media attention around her personal life? No.

Lorphin asks: Any plans on Olive getting a love interest?
Kathy: I'm hoping it's going to be Dan Cortese!

Nbclive: Jumping to "Veronica' s Closet"

Kathy: My husband was actually on an episode, he was the pizza guy, that's my husband!

Nbclive: You are?

Kathy: I hear that they're writing a script where Olive is going on a date, but that's all I know

Nbclive: What's your favorite episode so far?

Nbclive: That was really so special?

Kathy: My favorite is the one where Olive is pissed off because Ronnie says that she doesn't have any women friends. Did you notice the picture of Gloria Steinem? Gloria actually signed it "To Olive love Gloria"

Klrhodes asks: Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Nbclive: Isn't there a picture of Gloria in your office on "Veronica's Closet"?

Kathy: I would have to say Gloria Steinem, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Oprah

Kathy: Absolutely, as I said before. And I love the cameraman because he was so into it. He was so into doing that for me.

Kathy: Olive is Lebonese, that's another thing they haven't done yet. I'm so proud to be Lebonese, because that's very rare in television, to have Lebonese characters.

Nbclive: Have you spent much time in Lebanon?

Kathy: I love Marta (the producer) for that. I've never been there, but my mom and dad were both born there. The whole time since I was born there's been war.

Vkaye asks: Kathy, what do you think makes your show different from the other sitcoms on tv?
Kathy: Good writing, happy actors, and good craft service :-)

Kathy: You know, seriously, from my experience, every time I've had a suggestion or concern, it's been met with open arms and great respect. There's no heirarchy or division. We're all there working together. There's always a discussion, but always an open ear.

Kathy: Everything good you see on there is the writers, we have such great writers.

Deevahh asks: Kathy, will you and Mo be getting together again soon? And if so, ya think you might be able to book a show at the theatre I work at? heehee
Kathy: Mo and I will be getting together in 2 weeks on Veronica's Closet, NBC at 9:30 on Thursday night. She guest starred

Bob_Vila asks: I really enjoyed the Kathy & Mo Show -- do you still do any improv/sketch comedy?
Kathy: It's not out of the question, but I'm not going to promise. Writing is such hard work, but if I did do it, it would be with Mo. Maybe another HBO special.

Thutchy asks: How does Veronica's Closet rate by feminist standards?
Kathy: Well, all I can say is that what I'm concerned with is how Olive rates. And I'm really comfortable with where Olive is. A lot of times you have to have chaos to show balance, wrong to show right.

DDmax_97 asks: Do you Feel Your Show Has Message Or Is it Just For The fun Of It
Kathy: I think it's for fun. Our main goal on Veronica's Closet is to be funny.

Nbclive: And you surely are!

Nbclive: Some fans are asking specifically about your relationship with Kirstie? They've read that you don't get along. Is that the truth?

Kathy: I'm having a blast with Kirstie. What you've read is a sexist phenomenon that happens a lot when 2 women work together. The press automatically assume that there's jealousy, and nothing could be farther from the truth. I only want to work with good people, and I know Kirstie feels the same way.

Nbclive: What should we look forward to in upcoming episodes of "Veronica's Closet"?

Kathy: I would get sued by Warner Brothers if I told you! But I assure you there's plenty of lingerie, hair weaves, and cappucinos! And holiday madness! Here's a hint: stay tuned, maybe Olive will sing. Eileen Brennan is on a Thanksgiving episode.

Sandypnda asks: Kathy - Do you remember Hardy Elementary, Horace Mann Jr. High and Crawford High School?
Kathy: I don't remember Harding, because I didn't go there. But I remember the other two, with much, much pain!

Nbclive: Any final thoughts?

Nbc_stars: It was fabulous talking to you tonight! Let's all of us promise to meet everynight at this time and chat! Thanks for coming, we'll do it again and make sure that before the show is off the air, I'll have answered every single question out there.

Nbclive: GOODBYE!

Nbclive: THANK YOU for a great chat everyone! And of course, a very BIG thank you to Kathy Najimy for spending her time with us this evening.