Dana Sparks and James Hyde Chat

June 18, 2000

Dana Sparks and James Hyde of NBC's daytime soap opera "Passions" discuss acting and their roles on the hit T.V. show, in an online interview.

NBCLive:

Welcome to NBC Live! Tonight we are chatting with Dana Sparks and James Hyde, who portray Harmony's happiest married couple, Grace and Sam. (That is, if you forget the fact that Sam is being pursued by ex-love Ivy Crane!). Dana had a list of television credits to her name before joining the cast of Passions, including Falcon Crest, Melrose Place, and JAG. Passions is not James' first foray into the world of soaps, he previously appeared on both "Another World" and "As the World Turns". Please welcome Dana and James!

James, Dana, it's great to have you here tonight!

Dana Sparks: Nice to be here with James!

James Hyde: Yeah, with the wifey-poooooooooooo!

Diggity: I'd like to tell you that I love the two of you together and I love the show. But my question is how long have you guys been acting for?

Dana Sparks: I didn't realize we were acting! I started acting when I was in high school. The first thing I actually got paid for was a Diet Coke commercial.

James Hyde: I started in 1996. I started taking acting classes then, and ended up in a movie in 1997 called, "Let's Talk About Sex."

Jumble: What made you decide to become actors?

Dana Sparks: I actually started modeling, because my mom wanted to shake the tomboy out of me.

James Hyde: It didn't work!

Dana Sparks: One of the courses in the modeling course was acting, and it got me interested.

James Hyde: I was modeling for a long time, then I got into music, hip-hop and stuff. I did a demo for a record company. I decided I still wanted to perform and pursue something that would actually be a career. So when I took this course in 1996 and decided that if I still have a bug for it after the course, I would go for it. And I did, I was really hungry for it.

Kissimee: If you weren't actors, what would you be?

Dana Sparks: I would be a carpenter or a travel photographer.

James Hyde: I'd either be a professional basketball player or a rock star.

Dana Sparks: I think I'd still have a shot at doing my thing! OL

Luxor: Who are your heroes?

Dana Sparks: I have a golf hero, Freddy Boom Boom.

James Hyde: My mother.

Caileigh: Do you watch the show everyday?

Dana Sparks: If I don't watch it, I come in and get the tapes and watch all five hours on the weekend. My husband won't let me touch the fast forward!

James Hyde: I watch it when my story line is really hot and heavy. I try to, because I really like the show. If I'm not doing anything at two o'clock, you'd better believe I'm watching it!

Iluvpassions: How has being on a soap changed your lifestyle? Do you enjoy being on a soap? Is it fun working with other actors and actresses?

James Hyde: I don't have a lot of free time like I used to. There are a lot of good things about working on a soap. You're working every day, and a lot of actors would like just to be able to act. And working with the other actors on this show, we're really lucky because there are some great people to work with. To work with Dana on an everyday basis is just great!

Dana Sparks: At first, it was very difficult dealing with time. I enjoyed being here as much as I had to be, but it's taken this long to really come to terms with organizing my life and getting it back in order. We absolutely have the best cast on "Passions." I've never been on a cast that felt so much like a family, where everyone gets along.

Angela: How would you describe the relationship Sam and Grace have?

James Hyde: I think any marriage, whether real life or on TV, has difficulties. I think everything will work out for Sam and Grace, to the way it was before.

Dana Sparks: I think they have a really amazing relationship, but something has finally come in the way that could break up their marriage. IVY! It might be a rocky road, but they'll be stronger for it. Grace is going to come out with 8-ounce gloves!

Remote: What have been your hardest scenes to tape?

James Hyde: Probably the lodge scenes were the hardest, because it was such a big day for me as far as the amount of dialogue I had to learn. Those scenes, to me, are the hardest, because of the amount of time you put into the scenes.

Dana Sparks: The one that comes to mind is the long day when Charity got choked by Tabitha, and I had to pick her up in my arms, and I thought she was dead or near dead. So I totally broke down, and it took some time to recover. It was emotionally draining.

Sammy Ann: Dana, would you say it was more fun playing Grace or Faith on the show?

Dana Sparks: Faith had more outrageous things to do, and that was fun. She was a nice deviation from Grace, but they both had their shot at doing some fun stuff.

JamesFan: James, you are so gorgeous, does your wife mind all the fans?

James Hyde: No, not at all! She's very supportive, and I'm a lucky man. She loves it; she enjoys it more than I do.

Dana Sparks: She's pretty secure, she's pretty gorgeous herself!

Anastasia Lenox: Hi, James! You are one of my favorite hot guys on the show! You are so good looking. And so is your 'son', Ethan! ! Are you looking forward to having more scenes with Travis? Do you feel like a fatherly figure to him in real life, or are you just best buddies?

James Hyde: I don't know what's going to happen yet. We've had a couple of scenes together, and there may be more. I'm looking forward to that day, if it ever comes out, that we have some great scenes together as a father and a son. I'd like to teach him about life, other than what the Cranes have taught him, but I'm looking forward to doing some great scenes with Travis, yes.

Sheridanandluis Fan: Dana, what is the best part about playing Grace?

Dana Sparks: Most of the time, Grace is a very happy character. That's kind of a nice place to be when you come to work every day. If you come to work and have to do dark things every day, that can be draining.

Pickme: Who in the cast would you like to work more with?

Dana Sparks: Oh James! There are a lot of people I haven't worked with much. I enjoy working with the group I hang with, but I had my first scene with Galen the other day, and I acted like a total, foolish girl! But I don't know if that will ever happen.

James Hyde: I haven't had any real scenes with Juliet. I just frown whenever she comes in, like I'm mad at her. It would be nice to have some fun scenes with her.

Passions Girl: What was your favorite episode?

James Hyde: Mine was the first episode ever, just because it was this long process of "Passions" becoming a show. I've known Galen for a while, and we all got together and watched the first episode. The New Year's Eve was also one of my favorites, the acting and editing was great. To see how much progress we had all made since the show started was really gratifying.

Dana Sparks: There have been so many good things, that I really can't pick just one, but I'd agree that the New Year's Eve show was great.

DitherTX: Do you like being part of the supernatural story on the show?

Dana Sparks: Yeah, I love it! The fourth episode, I was levitating! I love all that supernatural stuff.

James Hyde: Sam is the type of person where he has to see it to believe it.

Kayfan12: What do you do while you guys aren't acting?

Dana Sparks: Both of us are into sports, but the only one I can beat James at is golf.

James Hyde: What I try to do is try to relax. I either work out and play sports, or try to go somewhere and just try to find some time with my wife. We never talk about the show. Then, I can come back to the show refreshed.

Dana Sparks: I would hope that Grace finds out about her powers. I think she might kind of use her powers, and not realize it. That might be the first thing that happens.

Charminsam: Dana, have you ever had any supernatural happenings in your own life?

Dana Sparks: No. I had a fan write to me once who was psychic, and she asked me a lot of questions. That really didn't make a lot of sense to me. If she was psychic, why was she asking the questions?

I Luv Luis: James, you and Luis are the most cutest guys on the show. Are you real buddies on the set or in real life?

James Hyde: I hate his guts! Luis is actually one of my friends from Miami. We saw each other on the plane. We've known each other since 1992. We still hang out now. His dressing room is next to mine; his parking space is next to mine. Maybe in the future, his house will be next to mine, too! He likes to do a lot of the things I like to do, he's sporty and athletic.

JamesFan: James, how can we hear you sing?

James Hyde: You can't get this; it's a special order. I cut a demo with a record company, but after that I decided I didn't want to do it any more. So the record company owns it now.

Fashionprincessy: Will you guys ever catch Kay in her scandalous actions?

James Hyde: I hope so!

Dana Sparks: I liked it the other day when you said she could use some discipline, and I kinda rolled my eyes.

James Hyde: We let her get away with too much, but she's good at it. She's a kid that gets her own way. I'd like to catch her, but I don't think Sam is going to catch anything, not a crook, not anything!

Cates Matatall: Who is the joker on the set?

Dana Sparks: That would be James!

James Hyde: We all love to joke around on the set, and when we work with Dalton and Galen, it's definitely trouble. They've stopped writing scenes with the three of us together because of it!

Luv98nDrew: Do people recognize you when you are walking in the store? What do they do?

Dana Sparks: I don't think my walk is that distinctive

James Hyde: I have a slight limp !

Luv98nDrew: Is it scary meeting people that know so much about your lives both on and off the show? Has a fan every done something crazy to frighten you?

Dana Sparks: OK, we're not talking to you!

James Hyde: We won't give you any ideas either, pal! Seriously, I haven't had anything crazy happen. I'd like to have someone crazy give me a million dollars; that would be great!

Yoohoola: Do you pick out your own wardrobes?

Dana Sparks: We have no say over our wardrobes. We just go in for fittings, to see what they have picked out. We have a little give and take, but mostly, they have a good idea of where they want the character to go.

James Hyde: Am I getting heavier, or are those pants getting smaller?

Sweetswany: Is Kay leaving the show? There are rumors floating around.

James Hyde: Sorry, no comment.

Adrienne137: Is anything disastrous going to happen to the Bennett family in the future?

James Hyde: What more do you want?!

Dana Sparks: Yeah, our house is going to burn down, our niece is going to be possessed.

James Hyde: We really don't know. As of right now, we just shot the prom boat, and they don't really tell us that much in advance. Believe me, we're on "Passions," and big stuff will happen!

Adrienne137: How old is Jessica supposed to be?

James Hyde: I think she's supposed to be 14 or 15.

Charminsam: Dana, since there was no clear cut evidence of your sister's death, is there a chance your 'twin' sister will return

Dana Sparks: Hold your breath!

MEE4877: James, I was wondering how they cover up your tattoo for your shirtless scenes?

James Hyde: With makeup. They do it by spraying it, which is faster and easier. It's like a spray paint.

Charminsam: Dana, do you think 'Faith' and 'Charity' will join forces against the dark side?

Dana Sparks: I think that Faith will be suffering from the Standish amnesia syndrome. She won't know her powers, so she won't be able to join Charity.

Iluvpassions: James, where can I see you? Any movies or other shows?

James Hyde: The movie I mentioned earlier, "Let's Talk About Sex," is out on video. I was in "Sex and the City," and those videos are also available.

Miguelsgrl03: James, what's your tattoo of?

James Hyde: I have two. One is a word, "Fearless," and the other is, "In God We Trust."

Passionluvr: Dana, don't you think that Ethan and Theresa need to get married?

Dana Sparks: I think they need to go to the altar. I don't know if that would conclude in a marriage.

Rach165: Dana, do you ever wish that the writers would have Grace fight for Sam instead of being so naive?

Dana Sparks: I think that the more they set Grace up as being naive, the harder she's going to fall. Since Jim Reilly has so many people on that hook, I'd just play it out for a while.

Prettyhot0624: To James Hyde. OK. First off, I think you are really cute. My question is if you had three wishes, what would they be?

James Hyde: That my wife would become pregnant this year. That "Passions" would become the Number One show. And that I could have three more wishes!

Charminsam: James, if you were 'Sam' in real life, how would you react to the fact that 'Ethan' is your son?

James Hyde: Probably be in shock! After that, I'd try to the best of my ability to have a relationship with him, and try to make up for lost time.

Luis Lopez: Hey! Dana, we heard what James wants to happen on "Passions," so if you could write an episode of Passions, what would yours be?

Dana Sparks: We've been talking about different actors from other eras that could come in through flashbacks. I'd LOVE to be Kate Hepburn. Then, we also talked about the Wizard of Oz on the Internet, and Grace needs a brain, Ivy needs a heart, and Eve needs the nerve.

Cates Matatall: What is it like working with Ben Masters and Juliet Mills? What a pair!

Dana Sparks: Ben is such a card! He had this resemblance to Jack Lord today, and it kind of disturbed him.

James Hyde: For us to work with those two is a tremendous learning experience for me. To watch him and the way he does scenes, and the number of variations he can give one scene.

Dana Sparks: Juliet is always right on the money, always ready to do her quirky lines, while the rest of us are trying to figure out what we're going to do.

James Hyde: She's a true professional.

Mormcg: Is it hard working with some of the younger people?

James Hyde: When the show first started, it was a learning experience for all of us just to get the chemistry. I think the kids have grown a lot.

Luis Lopez: Did either of you think that "Passions" would become as popular as it seems to be?

Dana Sparks: I expect it to continue to grow. From the very beginning, some of the critics didn't get it, and now they're eating their words.

James Hyde: You know who you are! I agree with Dana. We don't want to settle for just anything. The show is new and has a great audience, and we want to get even bigger and stronger in the numbers.

Gracious: What would you do in real life if you had a daughter as devious as Kay?

Dana Sparks: Boarding school!

Charminsam: Dana and James, how far in advance do you tape the shows?

Dana Sparks: About a month.

Deja VooDoo Chick: This is for you both, Do you two find yourselves growing closer as friends as the show progresses?

James Hyde: I spend more time with my castmates than I do with my wife, so it would be hard not to. We've all gotten closer during the year that we've been on.

Dana Sparks: I agree, absolutely.

Luv98nDrew: What do you think about the endless number of fan-fics out there? Do you read any of them? Have you ever joined a "Passions" mailing list or chat, under another name?

Dana Sparks: I don't know what a fan-fic is! But yes, I do chat. I actually told people it was me, and they didn't believe me! So they all ignored me. James and I both post on chat.

Ashley Elizabeth: I love watching everyone on "Passions," but who were some of your favorite actors and actresses growing up?

James Hyde: I would have to say Robert DeNiro.

Dana Sparks: I like the Hepburns, both Kate and Audrey.

Folderol: Is it fun working with Juliet Mills and Josh Ryan Evans?

Dana Sparks: They both have their own little relationship together. I just did a knockout scene with Juliet and Josh, and it was really fun.

Higuys: What three words would you use to describe yourself?

Dana Sparks: James is pointing at me to answer this! But I can't answer it.

Bumble: What does tomato soup cake taste like?

Dana Sparks: It's delicious!

Ephraim: Do you do your own stunts?

Dana Sparks: Everything but the big stuff, stuff the producers fear would hurt me. I have two stunt women that cover for me. I did get to levitate though.

James Hyde: I don't really have that many stunts.

Desmond: Do you like doing chats like this and interacting with the fans?

James Hyde: Yeah, it gives the fans what they want to see, and it keeps us in tune with who's out there watching the show. It's always interesting to hear what the people are saying. I love interacting with people, and I do a lot of charity events. I love it.

Dana Sparks: I really do love getting out there and mingling with the fans. If they're there to see you, they're really happy, and it's a great energy around them.

NBC: Dana and James, thanks so much for being here tonight, and for answering all our questions! Do you have any final comments for us before we have to say good night?

James Hyde: It was a pleasure being here and answering your questions. Please keep all your questions, and send them to the "Passions" web site. Any feedback we get is great, and keeps us in touch with our fans.

Dana Sparks: I'm really grateful to the fans, and I think they're going to be really happy with what's going on the show this summer.

James Hyde: We promise!

NBCLive: Thanks for joining us for tonight's live chat with Dana Sparks and James Hyde. Do you have comments or questions about this chat, or anything you've seen on the NBC Television network or www.nbc.com?

Copyright 2000. NBC & TalkCity ~ All rights reserved.