Gail Edwards
Interview by Chris Bartlett: on her Role as Six's mother in the hit Tv-Show Blossom.

Gail Edwards, who played Six's Mum in Blossom, recalls what it was like to work in Blossom,

Chris: Did you always know you had a talent of fast talking or did you find out because you were required to do it in Blossom?

Gail: Funnily enough, I played a character named "Dot" who was perpetually late for work, and as a defense mechanism, would rattle off endless excuses for why she was late. But the fast talking really developed on Blossom. Jenna actually talks that fast when she wants, but it takes me a lot of repetitions and a good night's sleep for all those words to flow out--kinda like a piano piece that you don't have to think about.

Chris: Of all the scenes you did in Blossom, which one was your favorite? I can't help remembering the one where you and Six tore the Principal of Six's school to shreds?

Gail: Yeah, I liked that one too. But my favorite was "Who Killed Chico Barranca" in which Blossom and Six were caught shoplifting.

Chris: How long were you in the Blossom series?

Gail: Three years--I think.

Chris: Was it a surprise to you, what happened to your character and how the character developed? Do you know if there was a general plan for the running story line, or did it develop over the years? At one point it almost looked like your character would maybe marry Nick Russo, though I'm not sure how the story line would have held.

Gail: What writers look for is the longevity in an idea, hence, I think that's why the romantic flair between Ted and I didn't come to fruition. I have a suspicion that the producers were out to capture an even younger audience by introducing younger talent. If you're familiar with the show's story line, you'll see how Nick's new relationship provided a vehicle to introduce that talent.

Chris: Are you, or did you, become a fan of Blossom in general? Did you watch all the episodes regardless of whether or not you had a hand in making them?

Gail: Actually, I haven't watched many of the shows. I know it sounds jaded, but that's what happens. I probably taped over 130 episodes of "It's a Living" and maybe watched only half of them.

Chris: As you weren't in all the episodes, how much advance warning did you get of appearances?

Gail: About two weeks, and I would never receive the script early. Witt/Thomas doesn't like to give out scripts early. They like to see what you do as an actor during the cold reading. The actors, writers, and producers all sit around a LARGE table as the actors read through the script for the first time. This basically gives the producers a good feel for what works and what doesn't. In short, they either laugh or they don't--then they proceed to make the appropriate changes.

Chris: Did you usually work with all the actors or mainly with the ones closest to your character?

Gail: I worked closely with Jenna and Ted.

Chris: How did you find Jenna?

Gail: I love Jenna. She is extremely talented, warm and friendly. She treated me like true family.

Chris: What is Ted Wass like as a person, do you know how he was cast?

Gail: Ted is a sweetheart and a great director! Initially, Blossom was scripted much differently. My close friend, Barrie Youngefellow ["Jan" on It's A Living], played Mayim's mother and I believe someone else played her father in an entire different setting. From what I understand, the network was happy with Blossom but not with the shows premise. So in revamping the show, amongst other changes, Ted, who had previously worked for Witt/Thomas on "Soap" was cast as Nick Russo, a single parent.

Chris: Were you sad when Blossom ended, or were you pleased it had ended and not been cancelled like so many other shows are?

Gail: To answer honestly, I was sad when Blossom ended because so did my employment on the show!

Chris: Was the relationship between the cast strong, do you still keep in touch with the other actors?

Gail: I still keep in touch with Jenna and Ted.

Chris: Did contracts for the Blossom show allow acting in other things in between shows?

Gail: Certainly. As a matter of fact, on two occasions, I taped Blossom during the same week I taped Full House. This was possible due to Full House taping on Thursdays and Blossom taping on Fridays. I drove back-and-forth from Warner Bros. to Sunset/Gower sometimes twice-a-day to accommodate both shows.

Chris: What was the atmosphere on the set of Blossom, considering it often had a live audience?

Gail: A live audience adds tension. But it's usually a good tension, especially when doing comedy. Everyone was very professional and friendly.

Chris: What was the timing of filming like, how long did it take to make an episode.

Gail: Writers work on the scripts--on and off for months. Once the script arrives, it takes a week to shoot. Here's a thumbnail sketch of a typical work week.
On day 1, we do a cold reading then 'block' the first act. 'Block' means, to put the dialogue on its feet, rehearsing with the director, moving around the set, etc. At 5:00 we do a run-through for the producers/writers.
On day 2, we receive a revised script and begin blocking the second act. The first act is cleaned-up and again, we do a run-through at 5:00. This is a major rewrite night for the writers.
On day 3, we receive the script's final rewrite. We do a final table reading--working through any changes in the acts. The director finishes his notes on camera moves and angles.
Day 4, is camera blocking day. This is a technical day. Camera, lighting, and audio moves are all rehearsed on this day.
And on day 5, we tape two shows in front of live audiences. Some shows like Full House are shot in four days.

Chris: We know Mayim got into acting when her parents wrote to a producer, but there are many different ways people get into acting, how did you get into acting?

Gail: Oh boy. I did tons of theater growing up. I'm what "they" call a triple-threat. I act, sing and dance. And I did a lot of all three in every theatrical presentation you can think of. After college, I went on to New York where a very powerful manager saw me performing. Once I signed with her I was able to obtain good representation [agents] and began proving myself via auditions. Later I moved to Los Angeles and the rest is history.

Chris: How would you advise people to get into acting?

Gail: There's a real misconception about an actors life. Only a chosen few will ever look back at their career and feel fulfilled. It's a ruthless, impersonal business that people just love to see you fail in! Now, with that said, to answer your question, ANYWAY THEY CAN!

Chris: Would you jump at a chance to do a follow up film to Blossom?

Gail: You bet! Actors love to act.

Chris: What's the next thing we can see you appearing in?

Gail: Reruns for now. I moved from Los Angeles in '94 which, for the most part, has taken be out of the running for many of the new shows. But the biz is unpredictable. Much of my work has been handed to me. Steven Spielberg offered me the female lead in his first "Amazing Stories" episode, Martha Williamson recently asked me to guest star on "Touched By An Angel" and back in 1990, Don Reo, sitting on a beach in Hawaii, thought of me to fill the role of Sharon Lemure on Blossom. So it's hard to say; but as soon as I know, I'll drop you a line. Okay?

(4/1/96)

Gail, a native Floridian, was raised in Miami and caught the performing bug early in life. She had her father hang the curtain and lights while she choreographed, costumed, and starred in her own neighborhood musicals. In the sixth grade, Gail played "Little Mary" in THE WOMEN at the Coconut Grove Playhouse and then moved on to numerous industrial films and local television spots. In 1977, she wrote, produced, and starred in her first off-Broadway musical BECOMING. Soon afterwards, she landed the role of "Sandy" in Broadway's national tour of GREASE. After producing and starring in two additional Los Angeles productions, THE GOOD ONE and VANITIES, both earning her the DRAMA-LOGUE CRITICS' award, Gail turned her focus toward television.

Whether portraying a sultry stage manager across DANIEL STERN (Get Crazy), an over-the-top moonie opposite KRISTY MCNICHOL (Blinded By The Light), or simply the "hot" neighborhood yuppie across TERI GARR and ROBERT URICH (A Quiet Little Murder), GAIL EDWARDS continues to fulfill an extraordinary range of diverse roles which continues to keep her at the forefront of her profession.

Additional Credits Include:

Touched By An Angel - Doogie Howser - Benson - The Family Man - Duet - Brothers - Night Rider - Big Brother Jake - Three's Company - Buffalo Bill - Lou Grant - Barnaby Jones - Love American Style - TV's Bloopers.