Monday, December 16, 2013
Seven Questions with Lisa Whelchel of The Facts of Life; The CW Midseason 2013 Schedule
We talked to her about the The Facts of Life experience obviously, her Survivor experience, what motivated her to make this workout DVD, if she keeps in touch with her Facts of Life co-stars, how she almost took a role on Hello, Larry instead, and getting back in the acting game, including wanting to get back on a sitcom. Calling all studios and networks, Lisa wants to be on a sitcom! TV Land? ABC? Anyone? Lisa is busier than ever, so let's get right to another installment of "Seven Questions!"
"Seven Questions with Lisa Whelchel of The Facts of Life"
SitcomsOnline: Hello Lisa! Thanks for talking to us. We're longtime fans of yours and The Facts of Life is one of our favorite sitcoms ever! You look amazing at age 50 (which you don't look AT ALL, by the way), so what is your secret of staying and looking young?
Lisa Whelchel: I love it (about Facts of Life)! Thank you very much (about looking great)! I don't think I can take credit for it. I just have good genes. My mom looks young, my grandmother looked young. That's pretty much it (laughs).
SitcomsOnline: And now you have this workout DVD out in stores since Dec. 3! Can you tell us how the idea came about for your workout DVD (Lisa Whelchel's Everyday Workout for the Everyday Woman)?
Lisa Whelchel: Yeah, I was approached by Acacia after being on Survivor. I guess they figured I was in pretty good shape for my age and that maybe I can help other women my age get in shape but I wasn't initially interested in the idea because I thought I was the last person in the world who should make an exercise DVD because I don't enjoy exercise. Then I thought maybe I can make an exercise DVD for women's who don't enjoy exercising then maybe I could pull it off.
SitcomsOnline: You were incredible on Survivor: Philippines as well last year (we thought you were going to win it!). America fell in love with you all over again it seems after watching you on Survivor! If you didn't participate on that show, do you think you still would have worked on making the workout DVD?
Lisa Whelchel: Thank you. Probably not, yeah I think that's how they approached me. I did really work hard to get in shape for Survivor. That show was a million times harder than it looks and that I thought it would be. The elements were tougher...the 17 days of straight rain, the rats, and the bugs...you know, the hunger, all that was harder and even more than that just the emotional conflict of playing the game once you really care about people was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be as well. And I do think Denise deserved it (to win). She played a good game!
SitcomsOnline: You know we're a sitcom website so we have to mention The Facts of Life! What was it about Blair Warner that you liked the most? And what qualities did you two share and didn't share?
Lisa Whelchel: Well I think the thing I liked about her the most was probably the qualities we didn't share and yet I got an opportunity to (laughs) act that way. You know, I think I would have gotten into trouble if I acted like Blair. My mother would've just punished me (laughs) or grounded me in some way but I got to...let all that kind of, you know, spoiled attitudes come out in the part and it was actually really fun.
SitcomsOnline: Would Blair Warner actually make a fitness DVD you think? I just don't see her working out like that. Are the types of workouts on your DVD so easy that even Blair can do them?
Lisa Whelchel: No, I don't think so (making a fitness DVD)...although she might be more inclined to do my DVD than Jillian Michaels because I think Jillian Michaels actually makes you sweat to the point that your mascara might run and my workout DVD doesn't. So you can grip it and glow, without sweating.
SitcomsOnline: The Facts of Life cast has reunited a few times (a TV movie in 2001 and at the 2011 TV Land Awards), but other than that - do all of you still keep in touch regularly? If you had to pick one person, who is the one that you're the closest to? Can you also share with us how you almost passed on Facts of Life originally for Hello, Larry? You made the right call!
Lisa Whelchel: I keep in touch with all of them, although we're spread out all over the country, so we rarely all get together at the same time and since Nancy McKeon and I have both been living in Texas for the last, you know many years, I've had more opportunities to spend time with her. Yeah, I guess in the second season of Hello, Larry the older sister was let go because of a drug problem so they had to recast her and I auditioned and got the part but it was the same time that I also auditioned for the pilot of The Facts of Life so I had to choose. And I chose the Facts of Life. I think so, too (about her decision). I agree.
SitcomsOnline: Finally, you're back in the acting game! We can't wait to see you in Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas! Tell us about your experience on that movie and returning to acting in general. We need you back on our TV screens weekly, preferably on a sitcom (TV Land would be good). Any word on that? And thanks for your time--we truly appreciate it! Best of luck!
Lisa Whelchel: I agree totally! You know what, yesterday, my whole family went out to dinner and I went around the table and I said, 'if we were sitting here this time next year, Christmas 2014, you know, what would you like to say that you're thankful that happened?' So everyone went around and some of them said different things and I said 'I would like to say I'm thankful that I finally got to be on another sitcom' so that's probably my biggest thing on my Christmas wish list this year. You know what, I certainly consider anything that looks it was going to be funny and good quality and not terribly filthy (laughs). But I love being on the Tyler Perry movie because it is kind of like a 90-minute '80s sitcom. It is a lot of broad humor and so much fun and it has a good message at the end. And would you tell everybody at Sitcoms Online how much I appreciate, you know, their love and support and I'm very grateful for them!
We definitely appreciate Lisa for taking the time to give us an interview to talk about her workout DVD, her sitcom experience and what she is up to now. She is so very nice and as everyone can tell from reading this interview, she's so humble. We wish her the best and we will continue to see her on TV/movies for many years to come. That'll do it for this installment of "Seven Questions," stay tuned next time for another brand new interview! But first, don't forget to check out Lisa Whelchel all over the web and social media. Follow her everywhere!
- Lisa Whelchel Official Website
- Lisa Whelchel on Twitter
- Lisa Whelchel on Facebook
- Lisa Whelchel on IMDb
- Lisa Whelchel on Wikipedia
Purchase Lisa Whelchel's Everyday Workout for the Everyday Woman on DVD from Amazon.com .
The CW announced its midseason schedule, including the premiere of two new dramas, Star-Crossed and The 100, and the second cycle of the hit comedy/improv series Whose Line Is It Anyway? In February, the futuristic story of an alien/human romance begins with the premiere of Star-Crossed on Monday, February 17 at 8:00pm ET, leading into another epic romance, Beauty and the Beast. The current Monday 8pm timeslot holder, Hart of Dixie, following a brief hiatus will return with a new night and time on Fridays at 9:00pm ET, beginning March 21. In March, the human race returns to planet Earth in the post-apocalyptic adventure drama, The 100, which will premiere on Wednesday, March 19 at 9:00pm ET, following hit drama Arrow. As a result, The Tomorrow People will transport to its new night and time on Mondays at 9:00pm ET, beginning March 17, following fellow new series Star-Crossed. After the March 10 telecast, Beauty and the Beast will go on hiatus and will return to the schedule with original episodes at a date to be announced.
The hit comedy/improv series Whose Line Is It Anyway? will be back with a second cycle on Friday, March 21 with new episodes at 8:00 and 8:30pm ET. Subsequent weeks will feature original episodes at 8:00pm and encore episodes at 8:30pm. Encore episodes from the first season of Whose Line Is It Anyway? will air Fridays at 8:00pm and 8:30pm from February 14 through March 14 to get ready for the new season. Currently airing in the Friday at 8pm slot is The Carrie Diaries, but that will end its season on Jan. 31 after its 13th episode. No word yet if that will be back after this season, so stay tuned. Stay with us for any continued updates on The CW in midseason!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Thursday, June 8
Young Sheldon - "Pancake Sunday and Textbook Flirting" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mary struggles to make new friends while Mandy pushes Georgie to date another woman.
Ghosts - "Alberta's Descendant" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Alberta is thrilled when a living relative, Alicia (Ashley D. Kelley), visits Woodstone to learn more about her, but things take a turn when she hits it off with Todd (Rodrigo Fernandez Stoll), Sam’s podcast co-host. Also, Nigel uses his knowledge of Trevor and Hetty’s secret tryst to try to blackmail Hetty.
Animal Control - "Dogs and Geese" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Dispatch radios a report of a goose on the loose; the precinct hosts an adoption day.
Animal Control - "Pigs and Minks" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The team welcomes back Patel even though he is still on suspension; Shred and Victoria are called into the principal's office on a school visit; Rick heads back into the field with Frank.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 5)
Thursday, June 8
- Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory/8 Simple Rules/Ladies Man) - Catch Kaley on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Tom Hanks (Bosom Buddies) - Tom appears on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Lea Michele (The Mayor/Scream Queens) - Lea is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) - Janelle appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Chris Messina (The Mindy Project) - Chris will be on a repeat of The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Laurie Metcalf (The Conners/Roseanne/The McCarthys/The Norm Show) - Laurie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Boris Kodjoe (The Last Man on Earth/Second Time Around) - Boris is a guest on a repeat of The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (Never Have I Ever) - Maitreyi talks about Never Have I Ever Live with Kelly and Mark, (check your listings) and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Eva Longoria (Telenovela) - Eva appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings.
- Marcus Scribner (grown-ish/black-ish) - Marcus joins the Tam Fam to discuss the final season of grown-ish on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Nia Long (Uncle Buck/The Cleveland Show/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - Nia appears on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Lauren London (The Game) - Lauren is a guest on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Fortune Feimster (Kenan/Bless the Harts/Champions) - Fortune appears on a repeat of The Jennifer Hudson Show, so check your local listings. She also talks about FUBAR on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
- Kelsey Grammer (Frasier/Partners/Cheers) - Kelsey is telling Rachael about his recent movie, the Frasier revival and what he's got going on next on a repeat of Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
- Marilu Henner (Evening Shade/Taxi) - Marilu talks about Hallmark's Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted by Murder on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Vivica A. Fox (Mr. Box Office/Getting Personal/Arsenio/Out All Night) - Vivica stops by to discuss her involvement with the Tony Awards and her Fox Soul talk show Cocktails with Queens on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Marsha Warfield (Night Court/Empty Nest) - Marsha drops by to talk about her iconic comedy career, her The Book of Marsha comedy tour and finally sees the green room at Sherri that was inspired by her, so check your local listings.
- Sarah Jessica Parker (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah will be on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (January-June)
01/03 - Andy Richter Controls the Universe - The Complete Series (2023 Release)
01/27 - Master of None - Season Three / The Complete Series
02/21 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Nine / The Complete Season Ten
02/28 - Growing Pains - The Complete Series
03/28 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/04 - South Park - The Complete Twenty-Fifth Season (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/18 - Blondie - The Complete 1957 Television Series (Blu-ray)
04/25 - Cheers - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
05/23 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Eleven / The Complete Season Twelve
05/23 - Go On - The Complete Series
05/23 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (Universal)
05/29 - Gimme a Break! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/29 - Kate & Allie - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/30 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
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