As promised, here’s the second half of my interview with the lovely Megan Ward (Kate, ‘General Hospital’)
Examiner: Is GH the only daytime soap you’ve done? Talk a little about working on the original ‘Melrose Place.’
Megan Ward: ‘General Hospital’ is the first and only daytime show I have worked on. However I have worked on several primetime soap operas. After almost working for Mr. Spelling many times, he very generously offered me a part I couldn’t turn down. It was as close to daytime as anything else I’ve ever done. We spent more time in hair and make-up than on the set and shot two shows at the same time. Oh, and I had a giant secret plus a selfish agenda while wearing too much lip-gloss to bed.
E: When you first came on ‘General Hospital’ how long were you supposed to stay? Were you nervous on your first day? Did you watch ‘GH’ before you started working there?
MW: I had a one-year contract with a one-year option. I didn’t expect the character to still be alive 3 years later. I was incredibly nervous the first day because I had no idea what to expect regarding production. I had never even stepped on a daytime soundstage before going up the stairs to do my first scenes. I knew it would be fast, but I didn’t know I would be hit by a bullet train. I had watched the show for Rick Springfield in the early 80’s but hadn’t followed it since I turned 14.
E: Can you talk a bit about working with Maurice Benard (Sonny)? What do you miss the most about working with Maurice?
MW: I guess I miss having consistent story to invest in. Maurice and I spent time, sometimes hours, every workday discussing our story, characters and acting in general. It was nice to have an active partnership of respect and collaboration.
E: Is there anything in particular that stands out to you about ‘General Hospital’ – an experience or a feeling?
MW: What’s amazing to me is how the extreme and surreal nature of taping a daytime show, especially in this current economy, has become second nature and comfortable to me.
E: Tell me about working with Blake (Gibbons, Coleman). Do you have fun working together?
MW: Blake/Coleman has been such a happy surprise for me. Blake and I instantly connected. We’ve both had such a variety of working experiences and an understanding of never letting an opportunity slip by. Because we didn’t know each other very well before our first scenes (and kiss), the audience actually saw Blake and Megan discovering each other just like Kate and Coleman.
E: Aside from working with Blake, what do you like most about the Coleman/Kate (ColKate) pairing?
MW: I like that the coupling is unpredictable, no one saw it coming. Their future is open ended and full of storytelling possibilities without restrictions and expectations. I enjoy the chance to show different dimensions to my character.
E: Do you think the pairing brings Kate closer to her ‘Connie’ roots?
MW: Well, I think the pairing gives Kate the opportunity to NOT try and plan everything. I think Connie was at war with following her heart and following her dreams. She chose ambition and felt discipline was the only path to success. So now she has success but still no love in her heart. I think it’s a grand experiment for her to let go and I think she really likes it. I really hope we get to see where it takes her.
E: I read in ‘Soap Opera Digest’ that you’re a Rick Springfield fan. Did you ever talk with him?
MW: I really shouldn’t have waited so long to “find” something to talk about with him, but on his last day when he was taping a concert, I butt into his conversation about traveling in Vancouver sharing with him a similar experience. I never gave him my name and I have no idea if he even ever saw my character on the show. Still just a fan girl. I was mad too, because I wanted to tell him how he almost fell on me in Vegas.
Thanks so much to Megan Ward for spending some time with examiner. Watch Megan Ward on ‘General Hospital’ weekdays at 3pm on ABC/WXYZ Channel 7 in the Detroit area.
For more on Megan Ward, visit her official website.
Comments
thanks again for everything, laurie. pleasure working with you! :)
Wow. Loved part two even more if that's possible. Thanks Laurie for the fabulous interview. And thanks again to Megan for taking the time and sharing more of your stories with us all. Now if only GH would do the smart thing and give us more Kate!
Thank you so much, Laurie, for the wonderful interview. I love the insights Megan gives us Kate. I hope that GH will put Megan back on contract and in her own story soon. I love the Crimson story, love Kate working with and mentoring Maxie and Lulu, and love the pairing of Sonny and Kate. It's great seeing Megan on screen now, but we need MORE KATE!
Great job!
Wow. Loved part two even more if that's possible. Thanks Laurie for the fabulous interview. And thanks again to Megan for taking the time and sharing more of your stories with us all. Now if only GH would do the smart thing and give us more Kate!
Once again good questions and great answers, thank you Laurie.
As Megan mentioned, I do miss seeing Kate in a consistent story with Sonny and also to see her in Crimson office running her magazine.I really hope GH write for Kate to be part of the current storyline and to have more interaction with her family and other characters.
Thanks Laurie for the interview with Megan Ward.We are so glad she is still on GH after 3yrs.From day one on GH what she has given to her character is unforgettable.As you can see from this interview,she is fabulous on or off screen.We want to see her more,so GH needs to listen to fans!Thanks Megan for taking time out of your busy life to do great interview.
What a fabulous interview with Megan. She brings so much to the screen as Kate Howard and it is a pity that GH doesn't work a storyline in for her. Thanks for taking the time to talk with Megan.
Further proof of MW's amazing talent...turning 1 year idea into 3 years and counting. Just wish she was given more opportunities to showcase that talent on a regular basis. GH is missing the mark not utilizing her more. Thanks for part 2 of interview. As always, I enjoy hearing about Megan's view of her ever-changing character.
Wow you all are so kind. I'm humbled by your comments and it was my privilege to bring you an interview with Megan. She's the best. :)
Thanks for the great article Laurie, isn't Megan the best?! :)
I too miss her story with Sonny and miss seeing Kate on my TV screen on a regular basis. I always love when Kate is on, but I too wish for a story with Crimson, with Maxie and Lulu, etc. I think Kate would be a wonderful person to try and bring Sonny and Dante a little closer and to have her back in story with Sonny. I will stick by Megan/Kate, no matter what :)
Megan is just the Best!! Thank you for choosing to interview her. Since we see so little of her on TV these days we appreciate and get very excited to read blurbs from her or things about her. A fan forever of Megan! Thanks Megan!
Megan rocks! Interview was fun to read. Thanks!
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