Ask Clint: September 1998

Ask Clint

Clint’s Round-Up, September 1998

Q. What is your favorite television show?

A. Mainly I watch the news channels: CNN and MSNBC. I like “Imus in the Morning” (said with a grin). He wears a cowboy hat and doesn’t shave half the time.

Q. What is your favorite vacation spot other than your ranch?

A. Eureka, California. I like the seafood, its on the ocean with mountains and huge Redwoods.

Q. What do you do on your days off when you are in NYC?

A. Reading, book and paperwork, catching up on out-of-state and local phone calls.

Q. What would you like to change about yourself?

A. My weight and my location.

Q. What is your most treasured possession?

A. Happy Horse Ranch.

Q. Who are your favorite pals on the set?

A. Bob Woods and Phil Carey. I like a lot of cast members, but they’ve been my buddies for many years.

Q. What role would you most like to play?

A. Clint Buchanan, if they ever started writing him again!

Q. What is your favorite food?

A. Steak, potatoes, onions and tomatoes. I also like Mexican food.

Q. Do you think “the powers that be” shot themselves in the foot by killing off Drew? If this actor wasn’t working out, why didn’t they just send the character out of town and eventually recast the role?

A. Which Drew? I never got to know him enough — he wasn’t on the show long enough. I didn’t have scenes with him or get to know him really. The actor was nice.

Q. Does the total change in Kevin’s character make sense to you?

A. Nothing has made sense to me since 1992. They can change a character any time they want to, but it flies in the face of what an audience has come to know and understand.

Q. In your opinion, do you think the character of Clint Buchanan, as you understood him for years, would ever marry someone he had known for three days (tops)?

A. I would have thought he was more together than that, but I guess, under the set of circumstances, anybody could do anything.

Q. What happened to that big storyline involving the entire Buchanan clan that “the powers that be” promised the fans?

A. You’ve got to talk to them — that was all rumor.

Q. Do “the powers that be” realize that all these new actors (new characters and recasts) aren’t being accepted by the fans?

A. Evidently not. I really want to get a copy of that tape we saw at the luncheon in April and send it to Pam Long.

Q. Why do you think every new regime promises the fans they will refocus on family?

A. We all have a tendency to be optimistic and because they believe that’s what is at the core of the show. I don’t disagree with that.

Q. Why do they promptly ignore that very thing, the focus on family?

A. Well, that is the million dollar question. Wish I had an answer for it. I don’t know — I just flat don’t know. I don’t have an answer for that.

Q. Do you think this show totally lacks any REAL family relationships and romance?

A. Yes. The only attempt that’s been made at romance is Bo and Nora. Clint and Jessica are used for family relationship scenes. We’re not doing a showcase of some good scenes, though. We’re supposed to be doing an ongoing show.

Q. Do you think “the powers that be” really pay attention to the fan mail?

A. No, I don’t see how they can.

Q. Was the on-line chat anything like what you expected and how did you feel about it?

A. I enjoyed it a lot. I liked hearing the different questions. I’d do it again.

Q. Does your love of your ranch, your animals and nature come from your upbringing?

A. I would assume it had something to do with it, but I also think it gradually evolved, too.

Q. Since you are a “country boy” at heart, how is it living in NYC and having an apartment there?

A. Beats being there and living on the street! (Said with a big grin.)

Q. If you could pick just one season of the year to be at your ranch, when would it be and why?

A. Spring. To do the planting, preparing the soil, getting things ready to come up.

Q. What country-western singers do you like to listen to? What do you think of Reba McIntire, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, Garth brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Neal McCoy, et. al.?

A. I like George Jones. Alan Jackson should get a haircut, Garth Brooks doesn’t know what end of a horse to throw the hay to. Billy Ray Cyrus is a one-trick pony. Never heard of Neal McCoy. Shania Twain ought to change his name! (Again said with a big grin!)

Q. I remember seeing you in a movie with Clint Eastwood called “Joe Kidd.” What was it like working with Eastwood?

A. I think I was the only actor on “Joe Kidd” that didn’t get on a horse.  I played a deputy named “Calvin.” At one point, we were having lunch. Someone yelled “Clint!” and we both spun around.  He said, “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting whiplash!”  I think he’s great.  One of my favorite movies is “Unforgiven.”  Great movie.

Q. What was the last movie you rented?

A. I have never rented a movie. The last movie I bought was “Unforgiven.” I watch some movies on HBO and the fights on cable, but I don’t watch much TV.

Q. What kind of car/truck do you drive?

A. I’ve got several in California. The one I drive most is a ’79 GMC 3/4 ton (its a pick-up, but a light truck). Its yellow and white. I spend a lot of time in my golf cart and my jeep. Its a Willis jeep — a CJ7.

Q. Do the low ratings “One Life to Live” is currently pulling in surprise you in any way?

A. Not at all. I’m surprised they are as high as they are.

Q. Many are saying the show is too gloomy and lacks real romance. What are your thoughts about this?

A. We’ve lost a lot of viewers. In fact, when I met my fan club president the other day, I had to show her my ABC pass! She hasn’t been watching the show, either! (Big laugh!)

Q. Who was your favorite studio dressing roommate in all your years on the show?

A. I’ve never wanted a roommate. I like several actors on the show a lot, but I’ve never wanted anyone in my dressing room. People come out to the ranch to visit me, and I put them up in my guest house.

Q. What do you think about Jessica’s pregnancy storyline and how will Clint be involved?

A. I don’t know how Clint will be involved. I would hope he would stand by her, support her and be the good father he has always been to her.

Q. Do you feel its totally out of character for Clint to have rushed into a marriage with someone he barely knew just because Viki turned down his latest marriage proposal?

A. Yes, I do. I had scenes with Lindsay where I explained I had found someone who wanted me, so that’s the explanation: I wanted to be wanted. Its still out of character, though — he’s not that desperate.

Q. How do you like working with Catherine Hickland?

A. I enjoy it. She’s got a great sense of humor and she’s a “little sweetie.” I call her that and she calls me that, too. We have a good relationship.