Catherine the Great

The Emmy race is on, thanks to Catherine Hickland’s tour-de-force performance on ‘One Life to Live’ that has everyone talking

If you’re not watching One Life to Live, then you need to know you’re missing one of the most inspired, flawless and visceral performances in daytime TV history as Catherine Hickland (Lindsay) reinvents herself as a true thespian.

In fact, we’d say that the former Texas, Capital, Loving and The City star should be arrested — because nothing this is good is ever legal!

TV Guide was lucky enough to talk shop with the sexy and talented star last week — and we can’t remember the last time we were so excited to speak to an actor (and this reporter covers film and prime time for many publications).

So on that note, we’re going to get to the juicy interview immediately — because let’s face it, we’ve gushed so much about Hickland that she’s probably going to get a restraining order against us!

Simply put, Hickland has made us fall in love with soap operas all over again by bringing truth and substance back to a genre that is often soulless these days.

Below, she dishes about her OLTL future, the performance that has everyone buzzing about an Emmy win next year, and her relationship with ex-husband Michael E. Knight (Tad, All My Children).

TV Guide: We haven’t talked in ages – how are you? OLTL must be one happy set these days, huh?

Catherine Hickland: [Laughs.] How can you tell? [Headwriter Ron Carlivati] really loves this show as a fan, meaning his memory and the integrity he writes from really shines through his work. It’s one of those rare instances when someone has worked their way to the very top of their field by earning it organically. For him to be helming this show is such a gift to the cast. I’m grateful [executive producer Frank Valentini] and [ABC Daytime President] Brian Scott Frons made this decision to hire him.

TVG: So are we! Best. Decision. Ever. And what a concept — love the show that you write for, and most important, have a passion for writing daytime.

CH: You know what? Love anything you do and you’ll succeed in life, because it’s passion that fuels everything in life.

TVG: Let’s talk business for a second: OLTL says you’re recurring and there are no plans to write you off.

CH: That’s what they tell me! I hope they don’t get rid of me either, because I have a passion for this show and this role. But as you know, you never know in this business. I am recurring and I am fine with that. If the storyline continued in this vein, it would be nice to have a contract, but because I have so much on the go with my cosmetic company and I’m writing a self-help inspirational new book about healing a broken heart, I don’t feel slighted. I’d rather be an asset to a show than a financial liability.

TVG: You’ve always been one of daytime’s most consistent actors, but the material is bringing out something new in you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the best actor on soaps today. There’s something different about you — and you even look different. Do you agree?

CH: Thank you! For the last two years, I haven’t had anything to do and instead of being pissed off about it, I started giving gratitude in my heart by looking at what I did have instead of what I didn’t have.

Even when they told me months ago that Lindsay was the killer, I still didn’t know if I was going to be on the show or that this wonderful material would be coming my way. When I saw what was coming, I said, ‘Omigod, this is an opportunity to do the best work of my career and not worry what people will think of me.’

I knew I had all the tools to perform the hell out of it, so I decided to enjoy this moment. I remember when I used to watch Guiding Light, when Cynthia Watros (ex-Annie) won the Emmy Award, and for some reason I thought this could be my Watros moment. So I went for it.

TVG: It’s really been orgasmic watching you strut your stuff — Ron and Frank need to take you out for dinner! Can you preview any upcoming stories for my readers?

CH: I do know I’ll be off for the show for a while, but I suspect I won’t be gone for good. It’s another big secret, which of course, I can’t tell anyone once again, which kills me! Also, I think everyone can see that something is happening romantically with Bo. I love how Bob Woods (Bo) is playing this storyline.

TVG: Let’s move on to the Daytime Emmys — are you going to throw your name in for consideration?

CH: To hear your beautiful words honouring our work is amazing, and you’ve got us all thinking. You know, we shoot these episodes, and then move on with our lives — sometimes we don’t know how our work is being received because we don’t have a live audience.

TVG: The great news is you already have your Emmy reels!

CH: Well, fasten your seatbelts, because there’s even better to come. Wait until you see what’s going to happen.

TVG: Well, that will make your job picking two episodes for your reels much harder — though your ex-husband three-time Emmy winner Michael E. Knight sure knows how to pick ‘em!

CH: Michael always let his producers pick his reels because he doesn’t like to watch his own work.

TVG: So … would you submit your name?

CH: I totally would. After 27 years of daytime, it would be nice to be recognized. I used to say, ‘I don’t care; I don’t care.’ But guess what — that’s exactly what it got me! So now, I’m saying, ‘Yes, I would!’ I’m thinking best supporting actress, because I haven’t been lead in so long.

TVG: Speaking of Michael, what’s your relationship with him like now?

CH: We’re still friends and of course, I think he’s the best actor on daytime, hands-down.

TVG: Not anymore, Ms. Hickland!

CH: [Laughs.] You’re too kind.

TVG: Michael’s probably like, ‘I created a monster!’ Seriously though — he must be very happy for you these days.

CH: I don’t think he watches OLTL, so what I’ve been doing is saving my scenes, so he can see them. We’re still very close; we’re just not married anymore. If I was ever in trouble, he could count of me, and vice versa. He’s a terrific human being.

TVG: You also look amazing these days — what are you doing?

CH: Thank you. I don’t do anything, I’m ashamed to say. I haven’t been to a gym in ages. I do work and travel a lot because I live in New York and L.A. and travel to Florida a lot to tape the Home Shopping Channel for my cosmetic company. I have a very quiet, but a very big life.

TVG: Is this the best time of your life?

CH: It is the best time of my life … so far. I’m very happy these days.

Published: Thursday, September 13, 2007

SUCH a good interview. Catherine is just a class act with a talent thats unmatched by most.

I'm glad Dena didn't write much for her because whatever she came up with would have been drivel.

Thanks for sharing!

Edited September 13, 200718 yr by OverItAllDotEdu

Aw, fantastic interview! Cat is def a front-runner for Supporting Actress come next year! I really hope they do offer her a contract, she's one of the best things OLTL has to offer lately.

I love the comment about admiring Watros' tour de force work on GL, I flove Watros and Hickland.

Loved the interview!

Long live the CAT!!! TVG Canada is on to something....Cat really is turning in the performance of her career! What's up with that? She didn't shine this brightly when Lindsay was at the peak of her storyline circa 1999-2001. Whether its age, living the single life, or having a career outside of OLTL, Ms. Hickland is doing something right!

LOVE HER!

I am rooting for her this year at the Emmy's!

ADORE her! She is turning in an amazing performance. Her character has the potential to be the female Todd.

I wish OLTL would give her a contract. WTF is that about?!

People have been saying it was Cat that doesnt want a contract but from this interview, it sounds like she does. I sure hope she gets one

I'm glad Catherine Hickland is getting recognition for her fine work. I loved all of Lindsay's scenes in the last few weeks with Bo, Todd, Marcie, Dorian, etc, and the show should be offering the actress a storyline and contract. But it looks like the opposite is happening with CH talking about how "you never know in this business" and how she knows she'll "be off the show for a while." IMO, it does not bode well.

She didn't shine this brightly when Lindsay was at the peak of her storyline circa 1999-2001.

CH has always turned in brilliant performances, but I think she had been on the backburner for so long that people had forgotten how good she can be. While her work in the last month has been very, very good, her scenes in years past (Nora's kidnapping, Troy's deception, Sam's murder/Mitch, Jen's death) were equally as mesmerizing. I've always considered Hickland one of those rare gems in daytime who has chemistry with everyone and can handle a wide range of material. I've missed seeing her.

I can't say that I love Linsday Rappaport, cuz I'm missed a lof of OLTL over the years (the show was terrible year after year), but I know that Catherine Hickland is a very good actress who deserves better than being Spencer Truman's killer. Give this woman a real story. Make her turn out to be covering for Truman's killer: John McBain.

Who was Truman's original killer? Dr. Paige? Dr. Michael? Addie Cramer? All I know is that the Who-Killed-Spencer-Truman story is a classic example of the tired & infamous "Make It Up As You Go Along" story. Ah, the wonders of Dena Higley.

I'm glad Dena didn't write much for her because whatever she came up with would have been drivel.

So, you are pleased with Lindsay being Dr. Spencer Truman's murderer?