[carolm] I'd like to welcome Anne Marie to the chat room.

[AnneMarie] Hi

[Jeanne] Hi Anne Marie

[carolm] Are you here?

[Daniela] Hi Anne Marie

[victoriaincanada] Hi Anne Marie!

[ljsj] Hi

[MegsLeigh] Good evening!

[AnneMarie] Okay, I'm here

[patrick51] hey Anne Marie

[Kelli1001] Hi

[AndreaBrazil] Hi Anne MArie

[LindaR] Hi Anne Marie

[KarenA] Hi.. from CANADA

[carolm] Okay, Barb, you want to ask the first question?

[Barb] We have heard what Joe's favorite episodes are what are some of your favorite episodes?

[Julie30] Hi Anne Marie

[Daniela] from NC

[carolm] Can everyone else keep quiet please

[AnneMarie] Definitely next week's, which is "Wherefore Art Thou" - there's lots more after that - "Because I Love You."

[ChrisFrance] Hi from France.After talk with in Joe in Monaco and with a Paramount Lady, I would like to know what a day at working on HG set looks like?

[AnneMarie] Oh, God I'm usually up by, on average, 5:30, arrive at 7, straight into hair and makeup, after an hour and a half in the pretty room we block the first scene, which means we figure out where you move to on each line and then we rehearse and shoot. A lot of time we are at the studio, but......when we're lucky, if the weather is good, we are in North Vancouver on our outdoor sets.

[ChrisFrance] Thanks.

[Conce] How do you know Joe?

[AnneMarie] What do you mean?

[AnneMarie] Do you mean how well?

[Conce] What was the first time you meet him?

[AnneMarie] I met him at my auditions, three auditions, we had to do three. I knew we had chemistry as soon as I met him. Oh, my God, that was in -- I met him in June and I didn't start on the - show until September.

[Daniela] ok hi Anne Marie. Remember me? Now my question, do you like how your character acts or would you like to change anything about your character Sophie?

[AnneMarie] Sophie is a lot like me, but..... she's a bit...... more insecure. The fear about commitment is all Sophie, it's not me but I love so sky dive.

[Daniela] oh ok thanks

[GailM] Can you give us a clue as to what will happen between Sophie & Peter in future episodes?

[AnneMarie] oooooooooh!!!! I'm not supposed to say too much.

[GailM] That's OK - thanks

[AnneMarie] There's a personal problem Sophie has that gets in the way but there will be a proposal by the end of the season and you don't know who proposed to whom.

[Jeanne] Have you heard anything about a 2nd season and if Fox is stupid enough not to renew will HG look to another channel?

[AnneMarie] I know as much as you guys do about a renewal and.......the producers have definitely said they will try to shop us around, possibly to MTV. That's the one they mentioned to me.

[Jeanne] My son thinks it would work well on the WB.

(AnneMarie] I agree.

[Julie30] Anne Marie thanks for stopping by. Will we ever find out, in more detail about Peter's past? What episode?

[AnneMarie] Yes. You meet his brother and he experiences some personal grief regarding his father. I can't remember what episode numbers they are but within the next six weeks.

[Julie30] Thanks.

[JulieMichelle] How does working on Higher Ground compare to Due South for you? How about the leading men?

[AnneMarie] Good question. Higher Ground is the best experience I ever had as an actor. I found Callum and Paul lovely and very sexy but... my new leading man, Joe Lando, is a real man in every sense of the word and I am crazy about working with him, and he's a great kisser.

[carolm] that was my question!!!

[AnneMarie] Add to that

[JulieMichelle] Good answers.

[AnneMarie] I also have a lot more to do on HIgher Ground and I like the character more.

[cherylp] We believe you

[KarenA] I bet that you were thinking on the drive to Judy's having to come face to face with the likes of JOE's girls.. someone that we might have hugged and stared at ... How do consider Joe?? Rheally ????

[AnneMarie] He's actually very shy but he is incredibly sexy. Really smart.   We have a lot of fun together on the set and we flirt. I know you all want to be me.

[carolm] Do you have any idea how many other potential "Sophies" were auditioned?

[AnneMarie] Probably a couple hundred, at least a couple hundred. They did  auditions in Los Angeles several times, Vancouver twice and saw tapes from Toronto and New York. Actually, I originally auditioned for Hannah, for the role of Hannah and they created the role of Sophie for me.

[carolm] Congratulations.

[AnneMarie] Thank you.

[LauraCGA90] What appealed to you about the show and were you familiar with Joe as an actor?

[AnneMarie] Two things appealed to me about the show. The action adventure sport element because I am personally an extreme sports enthusiast and the helping teens aspect. I've always felt that there are a lot of kids that don't have the kind of guidance that I was lucky to have with my parents. And I've always wanted to become a big sister but my lifestyle and traveling for work doesn't allow it. This show is something I'm proud of because I think it can make a difference. I had seen Joe just flicking channels on Dr. quinn and I knew he was handsome but had never really watched that show.

[Lella] Hello Anne Marie I am from Italy ! Is there something that annoys Joe when he is working? - thanks!

[AnneMarie] Hello to Italy

[AnneMarie] There's one set, Peter's office, that is very cramped and Joe gets a little claustrophobic in there but other than that he's an absolute pleasure.

[Lella] Thanks again !

[AnneMarie] Joe is also a perfectionist and holds a very high standard for the writing.

[LindaR] Will we learn any of Sophie's secrets this season? Thanks.

[AnneMarie] We're very lucky that we have great writers and I laugh and cry when I read each script. Yes. We do learn a secret about Sophie, just one - you'll find that out in "Daisied and Confused" which is a girlie roadtrip episode where Jewel, AJ, and myself go on a roadtrip to Daisy's mom's funeral.

[LoriM] Does Chloe try to get back into Peter's life and does that cause trouble between Sophie and Peter?

[AnneMarie] Yes, she does. It causes a little bit of tension but I think Chloe is so wrong for him. Don't you?

[LoriM] Yes we certainly do

[LoriM] Thank you

[MegsLeigh] Good evening! I am impressed with the range of music displayed in HG - from Native American flute to alternative to Sarah McLaughlin. Is there any chance  of a HG soundtrack coming out?

[AnneMarie] That's a great idea. I haven't heard anything about that yet. But if there's a second season it would be possible.

[SarahMN] Whom shall we write other than Fox Family Channel to request a second  season for Higher Ground? Lions Gate? Paramount Int? FFC is not the best place for HG.

[AnneMarie] Fox Family Channel is the best because Lions Gate and Paramount are already 100 percent behind the show. Please keep writing. One more thing - I just heard Fox Family is deciding their pilots this week and they're expanding to one hour of original programming a day. Hopefully that's good for us.

[SarahMN] Thanks very much.

[cherylp] ok, I love Joe, and I screamed when he was punching the bag shirtless, any  more scenes like that? in a Bathtub maybe???

[AnneMarie] Yeah, I had a hard time concentrating

[carolm] So did I!

[AnneMarie] I think there is another time he's shirtless but I can't remember but - you know this is the Family Channel. His shoulders are sooooooooooo wide ...

[cherylp] Yes, any waterfall scenes for Sophie and Peter ??

[AnneMarie] What does that mean?

[cherylp] Peter and Sophie in the water, kissing under a waterfall......you know - ROMANCE..

[KarenA] Cheryl... cool your JETS.....

[AnneMarie] We do some kissing by the fire

[cherylp] Good, thanks!!

[AnneMarie] We have a prom in the final episode.

[sspy9] I think being the FAMILY channel is ruining our chance for romance,

[cherylp] It shouldn't, it's a 9 pm show in most places.

[AnneMarie] They have something called Standards and Practices which means they take all the good stuff out.

[gail] Hi Anne Marie, from a fellow canuck. (Alberta) It's great of you...I'm coming

[AnneMarie] I lived in Calgary briefly

[gail] .... to do this chat knowing we mainly want to talk about Joe. It's especially  nice to hear you think he's kinda neat too... Are there stories lined up for next year. And do the cast get mail addressed to Lionsgate?

[AnneMarie] The head writer definitely knows where he wants the show to head and I think there will be more adult story lines.

[sspy9] YIPPEE!

[AnneMarie] I think all the mail sent to LionsGate or Fox Family will eventually get  to us.

[gail] Thank you, Anne Marie.

[hg22] Jane Seymour says that on screen kisses really aren't that romantic since so many people are watching your every move. Is that true???Or do you think kissing Joe is kinda...

[AnneMarie] The kissing definitely technical at times but I always looked forward to the days where we had kissing scenes. The last kissing scene we had in front of the fire was directed by my boyfriend so I couldn't enjoy that one too much

[hg22] Thanks, sounds sorta fun.

[gayolyn] Have you met Jack and Kirsten and what are they like?

[AnneMarie] Is there anything you want to know about the kids?

[AnneMarie] Yes, I have. They are both gorgeous. Kirsten is lovely, warm, blonde, thin, and beautiful. Jack is a gorgeous almost-two-year-old blonde.

[AnneMarie] Is Deborah Nelles here?

[judie] What is the age of most of the kids?

[AnneMarie] Kyle is the youngest, he's 16 (Ezra)  and Jorge is 22, he's the oldest (Auggie).
AJ just did a photo shoot for 17 magazine and another one for Vogue. She has a movie coming out in April. "The Virgin Suicides"

[carolm] What does A.J. stand for?

[JulieMichelle] AJ's my favorite

[AnneMarie] I know the A stands for Andrea and she would not tell me what the J stood for

[Daniela] How old is Hayden?

[AnneMarie] 19

[AnneMarie] He's a beauty.

[KarenA] I love DAISY.. and I think I know why.. what do you think of Jewel Strait???

[AnneMarie] I actually connected the most to Hayden and Jewel.

[Daniela] he looks like he's going to make it big

[AnneMarie] Jewel is a 30 year old woman in a 17 year old body. She's very smart and a lovely personality. Definitely an old soul.

[lacycalie] If there is a second season will the same kids be on it?

[AnneMarie] The kids will probably rotate in and out

[AnneMarie] There's one actor who guests in "Attention Deficit."  He has been asked back and returns for the final two episodes

[ljsj] Why aren't others on the show promoting it like Joe has been?

[AnneMarie] We've done everything I've been asked, we've been asked -- sorry, otherwise we would need a pesonal publicist.

[patrick51] How much input do you guys have with your characters' development?

[AnneMarie] We whisper in the writers' ears

[patrick51] lol thanks!

[AnneMarie] and they were very good about hearing our "voices" so that the characters started to sound - like us.

[sandra1950] Anne Marie, thanks so much for agreeing to do this chat. Are the producers getting any pressure from FFC to turn this into more of a show for teens?

[AnneMarie] No

[sandra1950] Good!

[AnneMarie] The one thing we want to keep is a balance between touching stories and outdoor action adventure.

[AnneMarie] Also they want a balance between the teens and adult story lines because Fox Family intended to attract an older audience with our show.

[sspy9] Does Joe really sing as badly as he did YMCA???

[AnneMarie] No (laughter). I wasn't there for that episode

[sspy9] LOL Thanks

[AnneMarie] But I've heard that he had to try to sing badly

[AnneMarie] I loved that scene

[JulieMichelle] Me too

[victoriaincanada] Hi Anne Marie! It's great of you to do this chat...are you doing any special projects or movies during your time off?

[AnneMarie] I went straight from Higher Ground on to a guest lead on Stargate, which  is shot in Vancouver. Right now I'm on holiday and next week I'll be back out auditioning

[JulieMichelle] Look forward to seeing that

[AnneMarie] Thank you!!!!!!!

(narrows101) It seems like we are missing two episodes that should have aired - is this right? (2 or 3 and 12)

[AnneMarie] I don't think so.

(narrows101) We saw previously seen last week that we didn't see ...

[AnneMarie] So far "Hope Falls" aired out of order but everything else has been right.

[AnneMarie] There is one other episode called "The Kids Stay in the Picture,"  which got delayed and may air out of order but I'm not sure.

[Daniela] Never heard of that episode.

[AnneMarie] In "The Kids Stay in the Picture" Chloe brings a film crew to Horizon to film a promo for the school.

[Daniela] How old is Megan Ory?

[AnneMarie] Megan Ory is 17

[carolm] Can you tell us the name of the actor who played Peter's brother?

[AnneMarie] Peter's brother was played by........... Oh, my God ... I'm blanking ....

[Jeanne] That's scheduled to air the end of April

[carolm] (hopefully) ... Mel Gibson? :-)

[AnneMarie] He was one of the bad guys in the Client

[AnneMarie] I can't think of his name ...

[AndreaBrazil] Hi I'm Andrea from Brazil. What is Joe like when you are not shooting? Thank you.

[AnneMarie] He's a lot of fun. He is always pleasant and joking around, always smiling.

[KarenA] The brother will be played by...... drum roll..... PeeWee Schneider :-)

[AnneMarie] I like him a lot as a human being as well as an actor

[AnneMarie] Kim Coates played his brother.

[AnneMarie] He's Canadian.

[carolm] Thank you.

(AndreaBrazil] Thank you.

[carolm] Who hasn't asked anything and wants to?

[colleen214] Will there be an especially exciting season finale?

[AnneMarie] Yes There's a prom. There's more to it than that - there's a proposal. One of the kids, I won't say which one, leaves the school

[carolm] A marriage proposal?

[AnneMarie] yes

[colleen214] Sounds very interesting! Thanks!

[AnneMarie] You're welcome

[carolm] But then what does that leave for next season? How can they keep up the excitement in the relationship?

[KarenA] Do you have a child under a TREE???

[Daniela] Cant wait to see it now

[AnneMarie] A year-long engagement with a breakup

[AnneMarie] That's me guessing, I don't know what they would have planned

[AnneMarie] quickly

[gail] Do you find it frustrating that the show isn't even shown in Canada yet? I know I do. No one here has heard about it except my script prof (I was working on a HG script for class) who also happens to be the assistant entertainment editor at the Edmonton Journal. Maybe he'll do something on it once it hits ITV or assign it to me! :-) I just hope it isn't too late...Thanks again, for being such a good - sport, Anne Marie. I hope you don't have to look for a new job in the end

[AnneMarie] I'm very frustrated about the show not airing in Canada yet.

[sandra1950] Will you be available for a second season?

[AnneMarie] I would love to go back for a second season but.........my contract expired March 15th

[hg22] How do you stay so wonderfully thin and gorgeous? Do you eat special stuff and exercise lots?

[AnneMarie] Good genes. My mom is thin and gorgeous. And I have to exercise.

[KarenA] HI... missing Newfoundland??

[AnneMarie] I get back to Newfoundland once a year.

[victoriaincanada] When it does air in Canada, we'll be there supporting it! I can hardly wait!

[StaceyJ] Will there a second season...

[Julie30] Anne Marie you said that you like to sky dive. Did you do most of your own stunts?

[Jeanne] Does that mean you won't be back if there's a 2nd season?

(AnneMarie] but thank you , thank you, thank you!!!!!!

[KarenA] Count on US.. we will calll Hynes, Goldberg N Smith to get that contract resigned..

[Barb] But you have to be back for a 2nd season

[AnneMarie] One question at a time, please

KarenA] Love the ROCK

[AnneMarie] Yes, I did most of my own stunts

[Daniela] do you do your own stunts anne marie

[Daniela] cool and thank you

[AnneMarie] I will come back if I'm not already booked on something else and we can negotiate

[AnneMarie] Hi, KarenA, I love the Rock too

[JulieMichelle] From his work on Dr. Quinn and Higher Ground Joe Lando seems a natural with young actors. Is this so?

[AnneMarie] Yeah, I think so. I actually learned a lot from watching him with the kids. He has a natural sense of caring and affinity for them.

[StaceyJ] How long have you been acting...?

[AnneMarie] Eight years

[ChrisFrance] Is there a lot of bloopers on the set? Did you remember a special one?

[KarenA] I am a YANKEE in Canada... and I know of the ROCK... kissed it

[AnneMarie] Joe and I tend to swear when we screw up

[AnneMarie] We did -- the editors did a blooper reel for our wrap party and it was great.

[carolm] Did you ever see Joe in Dr. Quinn when it was on?

[AnneMarie] Just flicking channels I did.

[Daniela] Did you ever think about meeting him

[KarenA] US is grand... but NEWfoundland is better:-)

[Daniela] when you saw him on TV

[AnneMarie] No

[LauraCGA90] Has Joe played any practical jokes on the set or have any been played on him?

[StaceyJ] What other shows have you been on?

[AnneMarie] Oh, yes he did to me. Sometimes we have to "loop" dialogue If there was a noise over our voices. One time I went to loop a scene Joe and I and he had changed his dialogue into something let's say slightly obscene and I was rolling on the floor laughing because I didn't expect it.

[LauraCGA90] thanks

[Daniela] anne marie thank you for the e mail

[AnneMarie] You're welcome

[KarenA] He is quite cute, Joe.. isn't he???

[AnneMarie] He's a babe and a half.

[patrick51] What do the kids on the show think of Joe?

[AnneMarie] We all love him.

[hg22] How old is AJ (My daughter is dying to know)

AnneMarie] One of the crew guys told me one time that the crew all adores Joe.

[AnneMarie] That was his word

[AnneMarie] AJ is 21 but she plays much younger.

(narrows101) Are some scenes improvised (like the chair swiveling)?

(hg22] Thanks, and thanks so much for being here.

[AnneMarie] You're welcome

(KarenA] Shelby is my son's ideal of a "chick".. and I thought I was his chick..

[Daniela] are you driving home after this

[StaceyJ] Thank you for doing this chat....You are great...

[ChrisFrance] The show was sold in France, do you plan to come here to promote it?

[AnneMarie] One of of the message boards someone wrote Sophie was conceited and a - mooch. Are you here?

[carolm] Will you be doing any promoting on Canadian shows when the show starts here later this year?

[AnneMarie] Yes, I would love to to both

[hg22] Will Joe ever grow out his hair, even a little, do you think?

[ChrisFrance] Well you're welcome

[sspy9] I think Sophie is kind of cold. Sorry.

[AnneMarie] I'm sorry you feel that

[sandra1950] Thank you for being such a good sport. And such fun!

[AnneMarie] Sophie is mostly scared

[sspy9] Scared is better!! :-)

[AnneMarie] But she softens up a lot in the upcoming episodes

[StaceyJ] Will we see more of her past in the future?

[gayolyn] I already see it with the kids

[AnneMarie] You find out a secret but you don't meet any of her family

[LindaR] The show gets better each week. :)

[StaceyJ] Thank you....

[gail] I think we don't get that idea at first, about Sophie being scared, and I've only seen a couple of eps so far...I'm trying to drag it out until the show airs  here.

[AnneMarie] Thank you, Gayolyn

[AnneMarie] It will continue to get better too.

[StaceyJ] It is an excellent show...

[AnneMarie] Stacey, I'm really proud to be a part of this show.

[sandra1950] You should be. It's something very special.

[AndreaBrazil] Do you know if HG is going to be shown here in Brazil?

[StaceyJ] It goes beyond most shows...

[AnneMarie] I have no idea. I hope so.

[judie] It is a great show, and you are excellent as Sophie.

[AnneMarie] Thank you :-)

[AnneMarie] I love Sophie!!!!!

[patrick51] Me too!

[sspy9] I hope Peter does too

(ChrisFrance] so I hope to see you in a second season

[AnneMarie] Thank you :-)

[victoriaincanada] I agree with Judie! You play the part very well with great facial expressions and tons of energy. You should definitely feel good about the show. It sends a very positive message IMO.

[AnneMarie] Thank you!!!! Thank You!!!! Thank you!!!!

[SarahMN] I get the feeling that Sophie is treating Peter the way Joe treated his wife Kirstin in the very early years of their courtship. Is Joe partly responsible for Sophie giving Peter a hard time?

[gail] Well, let me know when you're in the Edmonton area, Anne Marie...we can do West Edmonton Mall and spread the word about HG!! As a former teacher, I think the show is great for kids today and for adults who like adults being grown up even as they're dealing with their weakness..

[LindaR] Anymore whip cream scenes coming up?

[StaceyJ] Thank you anna marie for coming......take care and good luck with your future....

[AnneMarie] I don't know much about Joe's and Kirsten's courtship

[carolm] Thanks very much for giving up time on your vacation to chat with us Anne Marie

[AnneMarie] But I know the character of Peter needs a strong woman to keep him interested

[ChrisFrance] is there a possibility to have some scripts of the episodes, it would help the non English language natives...

(carolm] And good luck with the show

[JulieMichelle] Gotta run, AnneMarie, thank you so much for spending this time with us, count on us to work on FFC for a season 2!

[victoriaincanada] Thank you Anne Marie! I must go but please think about doing another chat soon!!! Good Night and enjoy your vacation!

[Julie30] Please come back again Anne Marie and bring Joe with you.

[AnneMarie] Thank you to everyone for coming and keep watching Higher Ground and spread the word

[AnneMarie] I'll try.

[carolm] We will keep writing

[SarahMN] Thank you so much, AnneMarie for chatting with us

[AnneMarie] Bye

[ljsj] Thank you Anna Marie

[Barb] Yes, thank you very much for answering our questions.

[patrick51] thanks a bunch!!!

[Julie30] bye

[AnneMarie] Thank you!!!! Thank You!!!! Thank you!!!!

[AndreaBrazil] Thank you, Annie Marie

[sandra1950] Thanks for being such fun!

[ChrisFrance] thanks for being here

[gail] Thanks again.

[KarenV] Thank you Anne Marie good luck.

[hg22] Thanks, you're the best!!

[Daniela] bye anne marie

[sandra1950] Best of luck to you

[gayolyn] Thanks, bye!

[sspy9] Thanks Anne Marie

[Conce1] Thanks Anne Marie

[Julie30] This has been a lot of fun!!!

[Daniela] good luck

AnneMarie has left channel #XC.1088159

KarenA] AnneM... will KISS the ROCK...

AND WITH THAT WE FADE TO .... BLACK