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OnlineHost: Your host for tonight is AOLiveMC4 ( RobertJDB )

OnlineHost: Nineteen ninety-six is a busy year for Alicia Witt, with a hot
television series and two feature films. But for someone who landed her
first dramatic role at age seven, these accomplishments don't seem out of the
ordinary. Her list of achievements began when she started talking at one
month old. Welcome to AOL Live!

AOLiveMC4: Good evening and welcome to AOL LIVE Alicia Witt!

WittAlcia: Hi everybody!

AOLiveMC4: Our first audience question comes from SportASP.

Question: I want to commend you for such an excellent movie ("Mr. Holland's
Opus"). What was it like working with Richard Dreyfus?

WittAlcia: He was wonderful. He was extremely gracious after the movie was
made when he got nominated for the Oscar, he took everyone associated with
the film out for dinner and thanked them..he was great.

AOLiveMC4: CBrown511 wants to know.

Question: What is Cybill (in real life) like?

WittAlcia: Well....she's always singing on the set! She's a lot of fun,
even though I pretty much know the other actors better than I know her
because our dressing rooms are so close..we're always spending time with
each other and Cybill's extremely busy.

AOLiveMC4: AprilElly asks this question.

Question: Hi from your former home state of MA, Alicia! I remember seeing
you interviewed when you were a kid, and was wondering if the media treats
you differently now that you're better known for being a TV actress, than
being a "genius kid?"

WittAlcia: Oh, I'm so much happier now that people seem to find better
things to ask me about than all my "accomplishments" from when I was a
little girl. I feel like that was so long ago, and so irrelevant to who I
am now, that I am glad the focus isn't really on that as much any more.
Thanks!

AOLiveMC4: Heather567 asks.

Question: Do you still play piano on a regular basis?

WittAlcia: Yes, I do. I don't have as much time as I'd like to practice,
but I try to write little songs or just let myself relax with it whenever I
get a chance.

AOLiveMC4: This question comes from Casegin.

Question: How old are you, Alicia?

WittAlcia: I'm 21!

AOLiveMC4: DamiJones asks.

Question: I read the "Dune" series before the movie came out. My question
is, did you read the books at age 7 or just the script?

WittAlcia: I read both.

AOLiveMC4: PamelaD24 wants to know.

Question: Your acting abilities are definitely equal to those of your
co-stars--Do they treat you as an equal despite your age and their fame?

WittAlcia: They do. I began feeling like the whole cast really was a family
around the 2nd season. I became good friends with some of the cast in the
first week, and others a little later, but I love them all very much and they
do definitely treat me as an equal.

AOLiveMC4: ShesOutthr has this question.

Question: Do you have any new projects coming up?

WittAlcia: I spent the summer in Prague shooting "The Reef" which is a movie
set in France in 1911, airing on CBS later this year. It is with Sela Ward,
Timothy Dalton, and me, and it's based on Edith Wharton's novel about a love
triangle. I love him, he loves Sela's character, and we're all under the
same roof. It's great. I saw it. Gee, could I give myself a bigger plug?!

AOLiveMC4: HGrail419 asks this question.

Question: Hi Alicia!! I love your character Zoey!! Do you like playing
good or bad Zoey better?

WittAlcia: (LOL) I was delighted when Zoey first began to be "good" towards
the end of the 1st season: i.e., she actually smiled! I like her devious
side, her manipulative side (I identify with that). I do, however, like it
when she's not quite so dour. She hasn't been lately.. at least I don't
think so!

AOLiveMC4: TBrant439 wants to know.

Question: I saw you in "Mr. Holland's Opus." Did you know how to play
clarinet before the movie was ever thought of?

WittAlcia: No, just the piano. I took clarinet lessons for a month before I
went to Portland to shoot it. I felt like the character's personality would
be better felt if I were the one actually playing, instead of having it
dubbed in, and I'm glad it worked out that way. The only part I didn't
actually play in the movie was where the orchestra performed at the end of
that segment.

AOLiveMC4: Isleboss asks this question.

Question: You were wonderful in the Kennedy Center Honors. What was it like
playing the piano with all of those big wigs?

WittAlcia: Oh, I'm so glad you saw it! I was TERRIFIED! I actually
discovered when I got there that I'd learned the wrong part, out of the ten
allotted parts, and so in front of everyone, I had to admit that I was the
one with the miss-learned part. I spent all of that day learning the correct
one, and then the next day we performed it. Fortunately it didn't need to
be memorized. It was so exciting! I met the President earlier that day.
It was the biggest honor of my life..that whole experience.

AOLiveMC4: GLEXTRIG would like to know.

Question: I was curious, how was it working with David Lynch on "Twin
Peaks?"

WittAlcia: He's such a nice person. I've actually worked with him three
times: "Dune," "Twin Peaks" and "Hotel Room" an HBO movie. He's so
eccentric, but genuinely so..and so intelligent. He knows exactly what he
wants out of an actor, and at the same time allows you to bring yourself
completely to the role. He is a fascinating, sweet person.

AOLiveMC4: Hoopla69 has this question.

Question: What happened with the film "Fun?" Do you know when the video
will be released?

WittAlcia: Thank you so much for asking! I think it's coming out on video
in November.

AOLiveMC4: NTAFLAKE2 asks.

Question: Alicia: first, let me tell you I love the show. Second, as an
actress, what do you enjoy more? Comedy or Drama?

WittAlcia: They're both completely different. When I began doing "Cybil"
I'd never done a comedy before, so that was a challenge. But right now, even
though I love being on the show, I am more challenged by dramatic things. I
think on a sitcom, you become so comfortable in your character that after a
while it isn't as surprising for you as an actor as it used to be. The
upside is that you get to know everyone you work with so much more
intimately than you do on a film.

AOLiveMC4: MJC829 wants to know.

Question: Alicia, it is truly a pleasure to watch you on "Cybil." What has
been your favorite episode? Also, is it as fun to work on the set as it
seems to be?

WittAlcia: Thank you. My favorite episode was the one where Zoey meets Sean
for the first time..the one with the birthday cake, and Ira's girlfriend
with the multiple personalities, and the four women's heads on the lawn at
the end. And yes, it's great fun on the set.

AOLiveMC4: FUZZYBUZ asks.

Question: What is in store for your character this season on "Cybil?" Are
you really going to stay in that goofy, happy cheerleading mode you got into
that one episode?

WittAlcia: NO! I think if I did, my face would crack from smiling so much.
But that was such a blast while it lasted! We've, so far, filmed five
episodes, and Zoey has moved out of the house and into her own place. I
guess this year they'll be dealing with her growing into her own
independence, and perhaps what might happen with Sean and other things. I
think the season premiere airs next Mon.

AOLiveMC4: JRothInc has this question.

Question: Alicia, how was it portraying Fairchild from GEN 13 for the
animated video?

WittAlcia: Well, I don't quite know how to respond to that question. Let me
just say that it was the single most exhilarating, fun filled, inspired,
uplifting, absolutely downright magical experience of my entire
life.............

AOLiveMC4: Chesi8528 asks.

Question: Why, with such a high IQ, did you decide to go into acting?

WittAlcia: You know, I think you have to be intelligent to do well in this
industry. I never really even felt I had to decide as to whether to act or
not. It is what I have always felt I had to do..my calling, if you will! I
can't imagine wanting to do anything else.

AOLiveMC4: This question comes from DesignBiz.

Question: How many hours of rehearsal for "Cybil" does it take to produce
one show?

WittAlcia: We rehearse on Monday and Tuesday, with one table reading, and
one network run-through, in addition to going through each individual scene
on both those days, beginning to block them out. On Wednesday, we pre-shoot
some scenes, about 5, usually, and on Thursday we rehearse for the audience
show on Friday. Although, for the first 5 episodes of the season, we haven't
had an audience show. I don't know if that will change or not.

AOLiveMC4: Fishing has this question.

Question: Hi Alicia. How did you get the gig hosting "the Grind?"

WittAlcia: I can't believe you saw that! They just asked me to do it, and
it sounded like fun, so I did.
"Go DANCERS!!!!"

AOLiveMC4: Cloudisle wants to know.

Question: What would be the ideal job for you in terms of acting -- what
would you really like to do?

WittAlcia: If there was ever a remake of "All About Eve," I would love to
play EVE! I think it's one of the best female roles ever written. I would
also like to play Gia Carangi, a supermodel who died at a very young age in
the 80's after a tragic and self-destructive downfall. She's a great story.
That's being made into two separate movies in the future, but the scripts
apparently aren't finished.

AOLiveMC4: Jan8798 asks.

Question: Did you see Cybil last night on Larry King Live? There were
several phone calls about you and your character. You received a lot of
compliments.

WittAlcia: Are you serious? Can you type back and tell me more! I didn't
see it. That's amazing!

AOLiveMC4: NitrusHIG asks.

Question: Hi, Alicia. I've been a fan of yours for a long time. Was it
tough being schooled at home?

WittAlcia: Thanks! It had it's upsides and downsides. The downside is that
there was really no social life for me; no friends that were not associated
with my family. But the upside was that I was finished with the whole thing
at the age of 14, so I could get on with my life and my career, and I'm very
grateful for that. I think it creates a more individual person, since
there's no peer pressure.

AOLiveMC4: SDFGuy has this question.

Question: I was noticing last night that they tend to overplay Ira and Cybil
when it comes to protecting and disciplining Zoey...how do you feel about
that? What would you change about the way they write your character?

WittAlcia: I do feel that sometimes Zoey is a little bit more mature, in
years, than some of the situations that happen to her, some of the things
she says in retorts. But that's been gradually changing as she gets older,
so I think it's rather appropriate. It's hard for me to say, because of the
unusual upbringing I have and the fact that I'm a good deal older than Zoey.
When I was 17, I was already living on my own and supporting myself, so I'm
not a good one to judge what's normal.

AOLiveMC4: ADNBW asks.

Question: I saw you in Seventeen magazine! Was that fun?

WittAlcia: That was a BLAST! I couldn't believe I could get to take photos
that were that much fun and they would actually be published; it was the
kind of thing I would have done just for my own amusement.

AOLiveMC4: KPalin601 would like to know.

Question: Alicia what do u do for fun when not acting?

WittAlcia: Bowling, backgammon, chess, cribbage, scrabble, and eating.

AOLiveMC4: NitrusHIG has this question.

Question: Hi, Alicia! I really enjoy your work. Are there any things you'd
like to pursue outside of your acting career?

WittAlcia: Thanks! I would love to someday record an album. That's a huge
dream of mine. I'm working on my singing...it's not great by any means right
now..but someday I'd love to do that. I also love to write my own songs,
when I can find the time.

AOLiveMC4: CRtheDJ asks.

Question: Has any network offered you your own show?

WittAlcia: No..................................

AOLiveMC4: JKartes13 asks.

Question: Have you ever done any modeling?

WittAlcia: No. I went to some agencies in New York when I was 12 or 13, and
their interest in me was equivalent to the interest of a person in a bikini
jumping into an icy stream in New England in the dead of winter, if you get
my drift. But --sigh--thanks for asking.

AOLiveMC4: KEBRJW asks.

Question: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

WittAlcia: In the mirror.

AOLiveMC4: Lisa SG wants to know.

Question: How was it working on "Four Rooms?" There were so many amazing
people involved in that project.

WittAlcia: It was great! I was at a film festival in Atlanta, rushing out
the hotel room door to go to a screening of "Fun," when I got a fax from my
manager. It said simply.."I tried to get a hold of you, but the lines were
down. I'll talk to you later. Madonna wants you to play her lover in a
movie. Bye!" Then I spent the whole rest of the night trying to track her
down and figure out what was going on! I had a great time.

AOLiveMC4: CBrown511 asks.

Question: Did your parents ever push you to get into acting when you were
young?

WittAlcia: Not in the least. It just happened by accident. I give my
parents all the credit in the world for being unbelievably supportive of me
in anything I wanted to do with my life.

AOLiveMC4: RMoyer877 asks.

Question: I know you were in " MR. Holland's Opus," but what other films
have you done?

WittAlcia: "Dune," "Four Rooms," "Hotel Room," " The Adventures of Luscious
Lolly and the Loo," oh wait, let's not get into that one!

AOLiveMC4: Tomasso has this question.

Question: Do you have any favorite foreign films?

WittAlcia: "My Life as a Dog" and "8 1/2."

AOLiveMC4: CRtheDJ asks.

Question: What kind of music do you listen to?

WittAlcia: I love big band swing from the 40's and 50's; dance /disco when
I'm dancing, piano jazz when I'm relaxing, and so much more. The only kind
of music I really have never gotten into is hard rock.

AOLiveMC4: NitrusHIG wants to know.

Question: Who are the people who inspire you the most?

WittAlcia: There are so many.. I just tend to admire people who go for what
they believe in, like David Lynch for example, and just say what goes
through their heads, and are not afraid of people not accepting them. I have
no respect for people who deliberately try to be weird to attract attention,
but if that's who you honestly are, you shouldn't try to "normalize
yourself". It's a fine line.

AOLiveMC4: GBO Fish asks.

Question: Have you been on any other TV shows lately?

WittAlcia: No. "Cybill" and "Twin Peaks" are the only TV shows I've ever
done.

AOLiveMC4: ISawJim asks.

Question: I remember seeing your "Romeo & Juliet" piece of an old "That's
Incredible" (I was 4 at the time:).. do you still plan to perform any more
Shakespeare? Could you ever see yourself in a film with Kenneth Brannaugh?

WittAlcia: I can't believe you remember that. That's so flattering! I'd
love to try some Shakespeare at some point. I've never even done a play, so
that would be an incredible experience, I'm sure...performing a Shakespeare
play. Sure, I'd like to work with Kenneth Brannaugh.

AOLiveMC4: DNcatman asks.

Question: Are you ever online at other times, either with this screen name,
or another?

WittAlcia: I don't have a computer, unfortunately. I'm having so much fun
typing tonight, I think I might get one!

AOLiveMC4: Tuetonic asks.

Question: The last episode of "Cybil" I saw was your character getting
tickets to Europe. Will they shoot your adventures in Europe?

WittAlcia: Oh, I wish they had! Ironically, I was in Europe myself this
summer, as I mentioned before, to shoot "The Reef" in Prague, and then I
visited Paris. I'd never been to Europe before at all, and it was beautiful.
But no, the season premiere opens on Zoey returning from Europe, with a
brand-new attitude! That's my promotional persona, anyway.

AOLiveMC4: Sosza would like to know.

Question: I know you are a very good piano player..who is your favorite
classical composer?

WittAlcia: Chopin. Also, "Liebestraum," by Franz Liszt, is one of my
favorite compositions in the world.

AOLiveMC4: We have time for one last question from NitrusHig.

Question: Hi, Alicia!!! Did you expect such great feedback when you starred
in "Fun?"

WittAlcia: I hadn't' dared to dream that there would be. We filmed it in
eight days, on absolutely zero budget. I was excited when the film got into
Sundance, period. And then when it was so well received, I was so proud. I
think I'm prouder of that movie than anything else, because I felt so free
and able to completely be that character, without any glamour or frills.

AOLiveMC4: Alicia Witt, thank you for joining us tonight. It was a great
pleasure!

WittAlcia: Thank you so much! I had so much fun! Ciao!

AOLiveMC4: Thank you everyone for joining us and for your great questions.
Goodnight!

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