Jnywren:
Is there anything you are wishing for Christmas?
Eric Stuart:
That's a hard one!
Eric Stuart:
I've never been the kind of person that really asks for
anything, that way everything is a surprise. So no, I guess I don't have
any wishes in particular, I'm just looking forward to going home.
Krista31:
What kind of story line would you like to next?
Eric Stuart:
I think bringing another African American woman into the
picture on a more permanent basis might be interesting. Either that or do
something just completely in a different direction, and maybe have Chris
start dating someone else in Bay City like Amanda or somebody. And I'd like
to also find out more about Chris' past. We don't know a lot about who
Chris is or what he did before he came to Bay City - more of the devious
things or things he may regret.
Jstick21:
If you could be the writer, what would you write for your character?
Eric Stuart:
I would write for him to be rich, maybe own his own
newspaper, have a much bigger and nicer apartment. I don't know, I guess
one can dream can't they. But if I did all those things I'd be Jake
wouldn't I! So maybe not!
Suzeeqforever:
Is there going to be a huge blowout between Chris and Tyrone
because of Toni?
Eric Stuart:
I think that's what everyone is sort of expecting and
almost looking forward to it. But I think why it might not happen is that
they want this triangle to be different than the other triangles that are
already on the show. And I don't think they hold any real animosity toward
each other, so if there is one I'd be surprised, but I wouldn't mind either way.
Sslax:
What Inspired you to become an actor?
Eric Stuart:
I took an acting class in high school. I think the reason
I took the acting class was that I've always loved movies and plays, but
when I got to high school I saw a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" and I was
so impressed that I wanted to try it out. But I never imagined it would be
something I'd be doing now. I just thought it would be temporary, something
I would play with.
Ziggy_12:
How did you get an audition for the show?
Eric Stuart:
My agent basically sent me.
Eric Stuart:
I know it sounds simple, but trust me, it's a lot more
complicated, because getting an agent isn't necessarily the easiest thing on
the planet. But I got the part when I was living in LA.
NBC Live:
Getting back to "AW".......
Suzeeqforever:
Any possibility that Chris and Jake will team up to uncover
Grant's connection to the drugs and Alexander?
Eric Stuart:
Not that I know of so far, but it's a great idea! I would
love for Chris and Jake to get together and do anything anymore, we haven't
done anything for so long.
Rasja:
What advice do you have for a young African American like myself for
making it in the entertainment industry? I know you have to have a lot of
patience, but is there anything other key you've found to success?
Eric Stuart:
I'd like to answer the question in more detail. Please email your email address to nbclive@nbc.com and I will get back to
you personally.
Eric Stuart:
To anyone who wants to talk to me, I do have a homepage. It's a girl named Ara's page.
Eric Stuart:
Fans can ask me questions through that page, and I
will answer.
Jstick21:
Would you ever want to play a REALLY BAD character?
Eric Stuart:
Yes, I'd like to play a villain. Villains are great to play.
Eric Stuart:
I don't know if I'd want to play one on a soap opera,
becasue you have to sustain it for a long period of time. And I think that's hard to do.
Jstick21:
What's the URL for ARA's Page?
Eric Stuart:
If you go to Mindy Schulman's page, she has it pasted there in her links.
Jnywren:
Do you feel sorry for Paulina and what she is going through?
Eric Stuart:
Yes, very much. I think Paulina is such a sweet character on the show
for her to be going through so much -- first the drugs then the alcohol.
It's just really sad. I think Judy is doing a wonderful job with all of it.
Yankeeclippers:
How long do you have to learn your lines before you shoot?
Is there a lot of adlibbing?
Eric Stuart:
We usually get the script like a week in advance. I
start learing my lines the night before so they stay fresh. Adlibbing
differs from actor to actor.
Preciosa_calena:
Do you consider yourself a role model to the younger generation?
Eric Stuart:
I think when you start considering yourself a role
model, you start to put a lot of pressure on yourself. And you also take on
a lot of expectations from other people. I try to live my life the best way
possible. If in hte process, I inspire or impress younger people, then that
makes me very happy.
MariaEW: Araw's page is at
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6266/eric.html
Eric Stuart:
I love to go to the movies, I watch a lot of
televsion, play a lot of video and computer games, I chat whenever
possible, and try to spend some quality time with my life. (Not necessarily
in this order.) Oh, and I read and collect comic books.
Ziggy_12:
Were you on any other shows before another world?
Eric Stuart:
Nope, "AW" is my first.
Jstick21:
Do you have any advice for young people out there, aspiring to be
actors?
Eric Stuart:
If this is something that you really want to do, then
you will have to give everything to it - all your energy and a great deal of
your time.
Eric Stuart:
You're going to have to stay focused, prepare yourself for
rejection, expect others to not necessarily believe in you, and stay focused on what you want.
Find every way possible to learn about it - take classes. Just learn - the
more you know about it, the better you'll be. Just don't let anyone talk you
out of it.
Eric Stuart:
Keep in mind the rewards - the rewards are worth
whatever hell you go through to get to that point. Once you think you've reached your goal, set a new one and continue to do that. Well, thank you very much for joining us this evenng.
Eric Stuart:
Thank you so much for all your support; I wish that I
could answer all of your questions. One of the things that I love most about
this job is talking to and hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me either by writing
letters to the studio, or by my homepage.
Eric Stuart:
The support that we get really does make a difference,
although it may not always seem like it. The fan mail is counted, and
whereas what you say may not always seem like it's being heard. Someitmes
the quantity speaks louder.
Eric Stuart:
So, thanks for all the fan mail. Please continue to
send. My wall in my dressing room is full of cards and postcards from fans.
And that I wasn't sending picutres back to the fans before becasue I didn't
have a picture that I liked.
Eric Stuart:
Now I have one. So if you'd like one, write me at
"AW." 1268 E. 14th Street. Brooklyn, NY 11230 or "AW" C/O NBC TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY 10112. Thanks and love you all! :-)
NBC Live:
Thank you for spending time with us, and of course congratulations
on your "Soap Opera Digest" nomination! Best of luck!
NBC Live:
THANK YOU for a great chat everyone! And of course, a very BIG thank you to Eric Stuart for spending their time with us this evening.