Interview: Sharon Lawrence on the Dangers of "Thinspiration"
“Starving in Suburbia” follows Hannah, a high school junior and accomplished dancer who stumbles upon a “Thinspiration” website, and is convinced by an anorexic website user named “Butterfly” to lose 20 pounds in 20 days so she can be “thin, happy, free and perfect.” Hannah spirals into a dark cultlike world, becoming destructive to herself, her family, her education and eventually, her life. I spoke with Sharon recently about this very important, and still very prevalent problem among young people today.
Celebrity Extra: Of course, the subject matter of this film is very important. Along with that, what were some of the reasons you accepted the role of Dr. Klein?
Sharon Lawrence: When they offered this to me, I was in the middle of shooting Chris Carter’s pilot for Amazon called “The After.” It was a big thing for me to agree to do this film, although it was only a few days out of my schedule, but it was on my days off. Part of the reason I was willing to do this was when I heard that Laura Slade Wiggins was going to star in it. I had never worked with writer/director Tara Miele before, but my friend Daphne Zuniga was really impressed with her, and the rest of the cast is filled with quality actors, so I knew I had to do it.
After I sat down and watched the completed film, it’s very indie-like, almost European in its voyeurism, and the music selection and the pace — all of those things are just engrossing. When I sat down and watched the completed movie, I was just so engrossed in the story. I am very proud of it.
CE: Your career field, as well as our culture in general, puts such pressure on appearance and the need to be thin and perfect. How do you feel the movie handles that?
SL: Our culture continues to put those pressures on all of us. One of the things that I was so impressed with when I first read the script is that Tara has pulled no punches. She analyzed all of the influences: It’s fathers and mothers who have to watch out for signs. It is clearly the media that puts on these pressures — that’s no surprise there. But also it’s the families — whose intentions, I’m sure, are good in terms of achievement — who have to recognize what sort of a mind can be susceptible to this.
CE: The film certainly raises a lot of questions.
SL: Isn’t that great? And the problem is, we don’t have any answers. You can ask questions all you want, but what is the answer? Hannah’s journey throughout the film makes that clear; she will always be struggling. She’s identified what the problem really is. She now knows. But the problem is not accepting herself. And that’s a daily journey. It doesn’t go away without constant care. I really appreciate Dr. Klein’s understanding of that, and she says as much when she confronts Hannah. It’s so easy for Hannah just to think that all she is, is messed up. But she comes to realize that’s not all she is, and when you realize that, the balance comes back into your life.
CE: One of the things I liked about this movie is that it didn’t place all the blame on the mom — the father was just as culpable in the pressure he put on his son to make his wrestling weight class and to be a successful wrestler, to be a winner.
SL: I think it’s so hard as a man to understand that success is not the only way to happiness. Hannah has that competitive drive — that drive was part of what pushed her toward her eating disorder. She’s competing with herself to lose the weight; she’s competing with other people in the chat room to see who’s on top with this warped sense of achievement. Our culture is so competitive.
I loved Paula Newsome’s portrayal of the dance teacher. I’m a dancer, originally, and I’ve seen how in the years since I started dancing how different that culture has become. Now young gals are competing all the time with their dancing. We danced because we loved it. It gave us a great sense of physical self-possession and grace, and if I had been good at math or athletics, I’m sure my parents would have supported that too. But now the whole young dance world is competition. There’s a fine line between helping push young people toward their potential, giving them good habits toward achievement, expectation and discipline, and then understanding when something has become out of balance. In the film, I find the teacher’s assessment of that to be very encouraging.
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| Sharon Lawrence as Dr. Klein Photo courtesy Lifetime Television |
SL: Tara talked with us a lot about the therapy scenes because she spent a lot of time in a clinic doing research. What she said about that experience sticks with me: Through the whole time she was there, the main impression she came back with were the words ‘living death.’ People are living with death all the time with different diseases, but that this one is self-inflicted, it’s one of the things that’s just so hard to get your head around. Food is ubiquitous; we have to have it. It’s not like heroin. As tragic as heroin is, you don’t have to be exposed to heroin, but we do have to deal with food. You have to deal with learning what control really does mean in your life, and how that gets out of control.
CE: This film also explores the fact that eating disorders don’t just affect women.
SL: Exactly. This film features anorexia in men, but I’m shooting another film right now (called “Perception”), and the only reason I said yes to this one is because of what I learned from Tara. It’s about body dysmorphic disorder in men and all those guys who are on steroids. They develop their own dysmorphia because they still see themselves as skinny wimps. It happens to them. They are killing themselves with steroids.
Interview: Eric Mabius Delivers in New Hallmark Channel Series
Celebrity Extra: Tell me about your decision to work with Hallmark again, this time in a regular capacity by starring in a series.
Eric Mabius: As you said, I’d worked with Hallmark before on a couple of movies, and I thought: ”Why not? Why not Hallmark? Why not do an original series?” I firmly believe, and I think Hallmark shares the same belief, that this show is going to change everyone’s opinion of Hallmark. It’s not your mother’s Hallmark anymore. It’s really taking on issues in a way that’s still family-friendly, but much more; it’s not just escapism.
I was blessed enough to have a great family of actors on “Ugly Betty” and a significant amount of success. Actors wait their whole careers to have one of those, and I didn’t have to wait that long. And I just didn’t think I’d necessarily find the same thing again. But I found something better now. Because I feel more in a place to appreciate there’s an evolution going on. Being an actor with two children now and finally in my 40s, I just feel like everything lined up in such a wonderful way.
CE: Tell me about Oliver.EM: Oliver has a very strong moral compass. He has a belief system, but he doesn’t shove it down people’s throats. He sees the greatness in people and tries to inspire them in the workplace. At different times, the audience gets to view this world through each of the character’s eyes, rather than just choosing one viewpoint as the audience filter. Martha keeps turning the content in on itself, so just when you think you know the road the show’s going to go down, it changes. She challenges us as actors, and I think the audience members as well.
CE: I know it’s early, but are you looking forward to a second season?
EM: I don’t think there are many forces on Earth that could stop this show from coming back next season. But networks have to go through their process. There’s already talk of a Christmas film for the show, just so the audience doesn’t have to go a whole year waiting for the second season. I am not trying to be boastful, I just mean that we’re aiming toward many seasons.
CE: Can you give me any clues as to what to expect this season?
EM: We’re moving toward a very big finale, and that is not set in stone yet. But we want to get it right. And we aren’t pouring everything into the finale. There are some episodes coming up that will feel like a type of finale, and that’s what’s great. Martha has so much left in her repertoire, there’s no end to how long this show could run. As these characters evolve and become more fully human, they help each other. There’s sort of a steady state that has been achieved when you start the series, in that Oliver has created this world of his own invention, and he fills it with people he can help mold. That falls by the wayside as we learn more about him, and Shane (McInerney, Oliver's newest protege, played by Kristin Booth) exposes his vulnerabilities. He addresses what will come to a head as this issue with his wife, and his belief that she’ll return one day. Shane challenges him on a daily basis with regard to his faith, and even though you can’t shake it, he’s learning how to justify it.
Interview: Whoopi Goldberg on A Day Late and a Dollar Short
Whoopi told me they didn’t have to ask her twice to play the part of Viola, revealing: “The executive producer called me and said, ‘I have this property, and I would like you to do it.’ So I asked, ‘What is it?’ and he said, ‘It’s by Terry McMillan —’ and I said, ‘I’m in.’ He didn’t even need to tell me the name of the piece. Then I read it and I thought, ‘OK, this will be fun.’ And the caution in this tale is, ‘You’d better pay attention to your life, because you never know when it’s going to go away from you.’”
In Whoopi’s words, Viola is a bit of a “drama queen” who was a lot of fun to play: “She was fun. There were a lot of scenes where she should not have been so sassy, but she was. Oh, she was.”
For Whoopi, one of the film’s main through-lines is that when you find out you’re dying, like Viola does, you start to think about the things you haven’t had the chance to do. “There’s nothing like a time frame to make you get your crap together,” she told me. “And your dreams — everybody has dreams. Sometimes people get hardened because they don’t get to live their dream.”
While some of the movie’s subject matter may have been not so fun, the mood on the set was the opposite. And, according to Whoopi, the entire cast was a pleasure to work with. “Everyone was wonderful. You know, it’s like it was a party, the biggest party. When you have this opportunity, which you don’t get very often, you just have a good time. It was nice to spend some time with Mekhi Phifer because I love his work. It was about seeing old friends and making new ones.”
As for a cast reunion on “The View,” Whoopi is all for it, as are the producers of the hit daytime talk show. Whoopi told me: “We’re going to try to get the whole cast. This was something that ‘The View’ asked for, which I thought was kind of nifty. It’ll be a nice reunion.”
Aside from making another guest appearance on “Glee” this spring, Whoopi isn’t spending her downtime from “The View” being idle. She’s got lots of projects coming up, including feature films like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Big Stone Gap” and “Christmas Parole in August.” And, as she told me: “Hopefully I’ll get to do a horror movie this year. I’ve got a couple of things coming down the pike.”
Q and A: Week of April 7
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| Katherine Heigl |
A: While Katherine is still a big-screen draw — she has four movies coming out within a year of each other — she hasn’t forgotten her small-screen roots. Katherine — who got her big break on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” — is set to return to series television to star in NBC’s “State of Affairs,” a drama about a CIA attache (Katherine) who advises the president on “high-stakes incidents around the world” while trying to manage her complicated personal life. The pilot has been shot, and things are looking good for a series pickup.
Speaking of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Isaiah Washington is set to return to the series as Dr. Preston Burke for an episode in May. The show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, told “The Wrap” that Isaiah’s character is vital to wrapping up the story of Sandra Oh’s character, Cristina Yang. Shonda revealed: “It's important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”
Q: Please tell me that the rumors of a Journey reunion with Steve Perry are true! — Samuel D., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: Not yet … but word is that they are closer than ever to working things out. In a recent interview, Steve said: “We're trying. It’s tough. I’m doing my best in that area, and I can only do so much. The older I get, the more I do realize how important what we all had together and how it worked. … I brought things out of them, and they certainly brought a lot of my vocal stuff out of me — just [lifting] each other to this place that you can’t get to alone. I think that’s probably the biggest chemistry thing I recognize now.”
And Journey’s founder, Neal Schon, wrote on his Facebook page recently: “I hope we can reach out to each other and connect once again. We had amazing chemistry together. I love him with all the love and admiration you could even have. Steve, let’s talk soon.” I have all of my fingers and toes crossed for a reunion!
Q: Can you tell me when “Falling Skies” will return? I can’t wait! — Jimmy F., via email
A: The fourth season of TNT’s hit series “Falling Skies,” which stars Noah Wylie and Will Patton, premieres Sunday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The series is about life and survival in the wake of a catastrophic alien invasion. Before that at 9 p.m., check out the new action series “The Last Ship,” from executive producer Michael Bay and starring Eric Dane. The series is about a Navy vessel that may be humanity’s last hope in the wake of a worldwide catastrophe.
Q: With “Games of Thrones” returning for its fourth season this past Sunday, it got me wondering what Sean Bean is up to. Can you tell me what he’ll be in next? — Alicia W., via email
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| Sean Bean in TNT's Legends |
Q: I was happy to read in your column that Kiss will be inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Will they be touring to support their induction? — Gary T., Cleveland, Ohio
A: Kiss will indeed be embarking on a joint project this summer, co-headlining with hard-rock superstars Def Leppard in a 42-city summer stadium tour, which will run from June 23 to Aug. 31. Def Leppard’s lead singer, Joe Elliott, said that he and Kiss bassist, Gene Simmons, first discussed the idea of the two bands touring together when he and Gene played some South American dates two years ago as part of a rock-and-roll all-stars tour. “It’s finally happened, which is fantastic,” Joe said. Also, a dollar from each ticket sold on the tour will go to the Wounded Warrior Project and other military nonprofits. (Go to livenation.com for ticket info.)
Q: Starz canceled “Magic City” just as season two ended. What a disappointment. The show was never given much publicity, but it was wonderfully done. I love it and miss it so much, and so do my friends. Is there any chance of “Magic City” going to another cable network? — Dale P., Fort Worth, Texas
A: While I never say never (see “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town” for examples), there hasn’t been much talk about the series continuing. Set in 1959 in Miami shortly after the Cuban Revolution, “Magic City” centered on the story of Ike Evans, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who owned Miami’s most glamorous hotel, the Miramar Playa. I do have slightly good news for you, though: The entire 16-episode “Magic City” series will be released by Starz and Anchor Bay on Blu-ray and DVD on May 13, 2014.
Q: Can you tell me if “Unforgettable” will be back? — Tom V., The Villages, Fla.
A: The CBS drama series starring Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a woman with hyperthymesia — a rare medical condition that gives her the ability to visually remember everything — will return with a 13-episode third season beginning in June.
Interview: Marshall Hilliard Gets to the Hart of the Matter
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| Marshall Hilliard |
Celebrity Extra: How did you get your start in acting? Was it something that you had always wanted to do?
Marshall Hilliard: I realize now that I’ve always wanted to be an actor, because I used to play — you know, when kids play, they normally play what they want to do, and we would always do acting. We’d do plays and stuff in the tree house, and we’d create dramatic events. I knew I wanted to be an actor at that point. At 19 I moved to New York and lived there for almost a year. I did some off-Broadway theater, got signed with Elite and modeled. And then they sent me to Chicago from ’87 to ’88. And then in January ’88, I moved to L.A., and that’s where everything started happening. So, I went from Elite New York to Elite Chicago, and then I came out here and I just started acting.
I was a co-host on Fox Television’s “Malibu Beach Party.” I did a couple of movies for USA Network, but soaps are where I’ve always wanted to be. And I know that sounds weird, but I used to watch “Guiding Light.” I used to watch “The Young and the Restless,” and I used to envision myself being a soap-opera actor. I know that sounds strange, because most people see themselves as a big, huge movie star. But I think I knew where I wanted to be.
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| Marshall as Hart |
MH: It’s ironic how I got the part in the first place: I campaigned for it myself. I don’t know if you knew that. They were screen-testing guys, so I kept trying to squeeze in for an audition. Betty Rea, the casting director at the time, evidently didn’t see what I thought I had. So I called up production, and I said, “I heard you guys have screen-tested four or five groups already, and you haven’t found anybody you want.” And he said, “It’s true.” And I said: “Will you please fax me the script? I’ll memorize it tonight, and I’ll get my friend to film me, and I’ll overnight it to you for tomorrow morning. Will that be OK?” And they said, “Sure.” So (casting director) Melanie Haseltine is watching my video, and the head writer walks by and says, “Let’s bring this to (producer) Michael Laibson.” So they brought the VHS to Michael, and he said, “Let’s screen-test the guy.” So, that’s how I got it. I negotiated the contract myself.
CE: For me, the heyday of “Guiding Light” was during the late ’80s and into the ’90s — what was it like being on the show during that time?
MH: Yeah, and I would say the heyday for all soaps was when Luke and Laura got married on “General Hospital.” About 30 million people watched that. It’s pretty crazy. But I think in the soaps in the ’90s, they were trying to make them a little more like prime time, which was nice. I really loved “Guiding Light.” I thought it was great. Being on the show in ’95 and ’96 was like a dream. It was really more than a dream; it was more than I could ask for.
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| Hart and Dina |
MH: Working with Michael was probably like how it would be to work with Drew Brees or Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers, because you knew he was going to be prepared. You knew that you had to be prepared. So, therefore, you’re going to have a great father/son scene. What I liked about him was his professionalism and his ability to really, really find this relationship at the priority of what he’d been waiting for for well over two years. He dug into it from day one. He was the captain, and he made sure the ship was going to run smoothly.
CE: When you look back on your time there, what are some of your favorite story lines?
MH: Let’s see. I really only had a couple of story lines, which were finding out that Peter was my son with Bridget, having a relationship with my dad’s wife, and the third story line — which they pulled me out in the middle of — was gas-lighting Roger. I wasn’t crazy about that, because, in my opinion, knowing who Roger Thorpe was, it would be really hard to outsmart that guy. I wasn’t crazy about that. I’m not a writer, so I don’t give opinions on that. But my favorite story line was finding out that I had a son and my relationship with Peter. That was my favorite hands-down. That’s what I would rather do than seduce my father’s wife. I’d rather do that than gas-light my dad. I would rather just stick with really true, wonderful, loving nonvindictive stories.
CE: That was the time when Hart started becoming pretty bad, almost evil.
MH: That was another problem I had. It was like, Hart’s a good guy. How evil is he going to become? How bad is he going to become? That’s what I always wanted to know. And I didn’t like that. I didn’t want it, to be honest with you. I wanted Hart to be a good father. I wanted him to do the right thing. But they wanted him darker, and I wanted him nicer. Of course, what the fans want is more important than what I want or what the writers and producers want.
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| The arresting Officer Hilliard |
MH: Oh, I love it. It’s funny because I’ve arrested somebody in Salem, I’ve arrested somebody in Genoa City, and I’ve arrested somebody in Port Charles. You can’t outrun my long arm of the law.
CE: I started watching “Guiding Light” in the early ’80s, and I just had the biggest crush on Leonard Stabb and had always wondered how he’s been doing since his hang-gliding accident back in the early ’90s. (For more on Leonard's tragic accident, read this.)
MH: I know. I’m straight, and I’ll say it: He’s a good-looking dude. I look back and I’m like, “Holy crap. Just look at this dude.” I’ve been watching some of his episodes, and he had that cool and brooding thing down really good.
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| Leonard Stabb (circa 1990) |
MH: Yeah, and now we would know within a matter of seconds.
CE: Tell me about how you met Leonard and why you decided to help raise money for his ongoing medical care.
MH: When I got “Guiding Light,” I could never think about Hart without thinking of Leonard. Every time since when I would think about “Guiding Light,” I’d wonder how Leonard was doing. Every day I think about him. In April 2012, I met my now-publicist Mike Iannarelli, and the first thing he wanted to know was how Leonard was doing.
I told him I didn’t know, and he said that he knew Leonard was out in California. We decided to do some investigating. I called telephone operators for different area codes across California. On the last area code I was going to try, I asked if they had any Leonard Stabbs, and they told me they had 100. So I asked about a Leonard Stabb Jr., and they had one. Boom! That was it. So, I called his grandfather, his grandfather gave me the number, and I talked to Judy (his caretaker). I explained who I was and what I wanted to do, that I wanted to help raise money for Leonard.
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| Marshall (left) and Leonard (center) celebrate the California Tide's victory, 2012. |
When you’re in a hang-gliding accident, and your head hits a tree — wow. To be quite honest with you, we’re really lucky just to have him here with us and alive and healthy. And most important, he’s happy. You should see the smile on his face when he’s with my football team.
CE: So if people want to know more about Leonard and how they can help, where should they go?
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| Len Stabb with college friends, circa 1982 (picture courtesy Lynette Britt) |
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