Showtime: Thanks for signing on for our chat with Michelle Clunie. Michelle plays ""Melanie"" on QAF. Michelle has several TV credits to her name, including ""The Jeff Foxworthy Show"" and ""ER."" Her film debut was in the popular and critically acclaimed ""The Usual Suspects."" Michelle recently completed the SHOWTIME original movie ""Damaged Care,"" playing Laura Dern's nemesis, Gemma Combs. She also spent last summer's hiatus touring with the critically acclaimed ""The Vagina Monologues."" She is not only a trained actor, but has also trained for seven years as a ballet dancer with the Academy of Professional Ballet. Welcome back to our QAF chats for a second time, Michelle. Let's get started and talk about the seventh episode of season two!

Michelle: Hi everybody! Thanks for joining us. I hope you're enjoying the second season. And it's exciting to have the opportunity to answer some questions.

Hyacinthetic: How did you go from Dancing to Acting? Do you liek one more than the other? I LOVE you on the show BTW!

Michelle: Hi! I danced from the time I was 5 years old. And acted as well. And I lean towards acting because I felt I could more fully express myself. And I still dance and enjoy it quite a bit.

NYC-Skye: Hi Michelle. Do you miss dancing or do you get a chance to strust your stuff during the show's hiatus?

Michelle: Hi NYC Skye. I dance all the time, every chance I get. But now I do it for myself. And because I enjoy the movement. I especially love salsa dance. And I find that to be a big release for me.

sillygirl: Michelle, now after the time you have spent on QAF, what have you learned from Melanie and what has Melanie learned from you?

Michelle: Hey Sillygirl! Melanie has brought up many questions in my life that deal with people having the freedom to love who they want to love. And being on this show has made me want to fight for other peoples' freedom to love. And has opened up my eyes as to what other people go through. It has brought deep compassion into my life. Which was always there, but now it's just stronger and more awake in me.

NeocronNV: How do you feel your role as Melanie has affected your views and opinions of the gay/lesbian community?

Michelle: I feel as though playing Melanie has allowed me to express at times feelings that I find ... several of my friends in a similar position in their lives have gone through and/or felt. So in that way, it's an honor for me to play Melanie. And it's very personal to me.

mira306: first off i wanna say you are one of my fave characters, i was just wondering what your personal view is on same sex marriages?

Michelle: Hi Mira. My point of view is very simple: They should be legal and recognized in the eyes of the government as having the same rights ... as heterosexual marriages. Until we get to that point, I feel as though we are living in the stone age.

moonbutt Michelle, did you ever imagine that QAF would be as popular as it is proving to be?

Michelle: Hi ya Moonbutt! I never imagined the success of the show going into it. But I hope and I believe that we will find in the years to come that the show ... will have had an impact on the way people think and feel towards others that are different from themselves. And I also see that the letters I receive are in the second season, coming from ... people that were very conservative and hypocritical and are thanking the show for opening their eyes. I received letters just last week from people that some might label ""bible thumpers"" ... saying that they are now joining groups that support gay and lesbian and admitting that they can't believe ... how closed-minded they used to be. So I think it will continue, and I hope it will continue.

tiggertoo: Do you think the show show's a positive or negative look at promiscuity, especially with Gale's character?

Michelle: I don't think in terms of ""right"" or ""wrong"", ""bad"" or ""good."" Only in that we create from a place of looking at truth and human nature. I think that you can have a show about cute straight girls having the same promiscuity ... and it's applauded and awarded. Yet when a gay man or a gay male character acts the same way, people place a negative connotation on it. Therefore, I ask, ""does the judgment have homophobia in it?"" I think it does.

SweetAlice: Does it ever bother you that the show seems to promote the usage of recreational drugs?

Michelle: That's a tough question. I think that falls into political correctness, that question. I think it's very hard to create when you come from a place of focusing on being ""PC"". If you focus too strongly on that, I don't know how anyone wakes up in the morning and creates ... or goes to their job for that matter. I find very few things in the world completely and totally politically correct. And if we were to analyze everything based on that, there would be very few billboards ... or ads or TV or movies. So that's just a very tough question. I could take an honest look at this and say that at least people are being educated ... about a particular world and maybe certain people will be turned off to it. Or they will understand more what they are getting into.

Maveric_Denver: What kind of ideas or feelings do you take from your own life and put into your characters?

Michelle: I try to take everything I know from my life and from my experiences and place it into my character. I try to look around me and take everything I see and put that in there as well. I think that's what an actor does and that's all they have. Is their own personal experiences and what they observe of life. And at the end of the day, that's my job. Is to take the story line I'm given and infuse it with a sensitivity and love and basic human pathologies as well.

Michael27: michelle, do you feel uncomfortable at times with the persona of your character? or is it fun to get to be that ""b*tchy""?

Michelle: I never knew Melanie was that bitchy. I find it funny when people say that. I try to look at her as someone with a strong point of view. And someone who doesn't whitewash things. And that's all I can say to that, because I never, ever think bitchy when I'm playing the role.

sara932: hey michelle i just wanna say your my favorite character on the show...i wanna know if you are gay and if not do you find it hard to play a gay person on the show?

Michelle: No, I don't find it hard playing a gay person even though I'm not.

Starrchild: Do you feel that media today focuses too much on sex or sexuality?

Michelle: I think people have always focused on sex, sexuality, love ... not just the media today. People have written poems about sex. Shakespeare had sex in all of his plays. I think sex and love are a huge part of what humans deal with on an everyday basis. I don't agree with the way the media handles sex. But it's just part of our lives as humans. And there's no getting around it. So, maybe it's good to just rip the cover off of it explore it in a very broad way.

Siren: Melanie....me and my girlfriend love the show and especially your character. Its nice to see a realistic portrayal of lesbians and the way we really do live!

Michelle: Thank you. That's what I'm striving for and it makes me very happy if you feel as though I've achieved that in any way.

annaandgretchen: Where did you study acting and what words of would you give to someone trying to make it in acting?

Michelle: I studied with Milton Katselas. My only advice would be to follow your heart and throw your passion and everything you have into it. And make a strong decision that it's really what you want to do. I would say 80% of the time is spent dealing with things that have nothing to do with the actual act ... of creating and acting. But for the 80% that you spend dealing with other things, you are rewarded with the 20% of golden time ... when you are actually to do your craft. ""when you are actually able to do your craft.""

hairfairy02: do you ever tire of the constant ""are you gay?"" question?

Michelle: Thank you for your question. I do tire of it. Only in so much that I'm looking toward the world where that question doesn't matter and doesn't exist. A world where people simply ask ""who's your partner""? Not, ""who's your girlfriend"" or ""boyfriend?"" A world where we place more emphasis on the quality of love and peace ... and less emphasis on judgment and hate and prejudice. That to me is a dream.

Radical_Edward: Why did you decide to work on the show?

Michelle: I decided to work on the show because I felt it was important. And I love the character. And I love the script. And I talked with Dan and Ron and I fell in love with them as producers and creators. And I had turned down other work that was not fulfilling to me anymore. I believe I made a space in my life where this job was able to come in.

Rowann: Hi Michelle! We all love your character Melanie! Did you find touring with The Vagina Monologues difficult at all?

Michelle: Thank you Rowann. I didn't have any difficulty touring with The Vagina Monologues. It's another piece that has brought enlightenment to people. And it was wonderful to be on stage and be able to look out in the audience ... and see people getting in touch with their emotions and feelings right there in front of you. It was a wonderful experience.

jackie: hi michelle i'm a big fan of the show and you. will you be doing any films?

Michelle: Thank you so much Jackie. I have no future plans that are set right now. But I am reading and I'm looking at a few things that may interest me.

JeanniezArt: What is your all time favorite movie?

Michelle: I have so many favorite movies. I love The Last Tango in Paris. I love Chasing Amy. I love Julie and Donkey Boy. I also love L'Ventura. But the one movie that constantly inspires me whenever I get lost is 8-1/2.

Suzanne: Michelle, what sparked your first role to lead into show businees?

Michelle: My first actual paying job was a Crest toothpaste commercial for MTV. And I played a 15-year old. I think I was 21 at the time.

flutter101: How do you think your role as ""melanie"" has changed your acting possibilities??

Michelle: I don't know how it's changed my acting possibilities. I don't really think of it like that. I've played several characters in the past and I see her as one of the characters I have created. I'll create more. But she has her own spot in my heart. And when I'm done playing her I will miss her.

digger: michelle, how much input do you have on the story topic or viewpoint?

Michelle: After we read the script, we have an opportunity to talk with Dan and Ron, our producers/writers. To fine-tune certain things. And they are kind enough to allow us to do that. I suggest things and sometimes they use my suggestions and sometimes they don't. But they are by far the most open producers I have ever worked for. I enjoy the collaboration. But at the end of the day, I'm an actor for hire and it's my job ... to infuse the story line with the life force of Melanie and to make her real. And to have it make sense. And it's fun! It's a fun process.

chiboy: Do you think ""Hollywood"" is homophobic. Specifically as it relates to the number of actors who auditioned for the show was limited because of the stigma?

Michelle: It's a sweeping generalization to say that Hollywood is homophobic. But I would say they, like the rest of the country, still are clinging to old ideas from the last millennium. And now as we push forward into the new millennium, I hope that people will start to wake up ... and take an honest look at themselves, individually and at the hypocritical feelings ... that are inside of them. I try constantly to look truthfully at myself. And it's not an easy thing to do.

girl4guinness: how did your friends/family react to you telling them that you've accepted a role on queer as folk?

Michelle: I called up my mom the day that I booked the job. And told her about the show and what it was about. She was thrilled, she was laughing, and she was so happy for me. Because she felt as though it would be an important part of TV. But she's an amazing woman. I call her the Buddha of Portland, OR. Everyone around me acted extremely happy. But I also only surround myself with people who are working on a more enlightened plane.\ That has to do with love and enlightenment and pushing forward. I would say we are very close off-screen. As we get busier with more success, it can be more of a challenge getting us all in the same room. But we recently just got together this weekend and it's a joy to be with this group of people. And I still call them my Toronto family. As we move towards the end of our second season up here, there is still so much love and it makes me very proud of us as a group of people. Some people said to us, ""Oh, in the 2nd season, you might not all like each other."" I just laugh at those people because I only find that I love my cast members more. But then it's a very special group to me.

jam: Melanie, Ed. note: Don't you people love it when they call her Melanie?? HELLO, she PLAYS Melanie! Her name is MICHELLE!!! do you find yourself being strongly affected by the seriousness of some of the issues?

Michelle: I am very affected by the seriousness of some of the issues. I find that it's a fine line that I walk playing Melanie. I've had letters from people that say I'm their role model. And yet, I'm not interested in putting my character on a pedestal. And I find a conflict in myself as far as what degree of responsibility do I have. I take these things into consideration and they affect me a great deal. I think it's a very precarious position to be in. But I think at the end of the day, that the more questions that we raise and the more ... human pathologies that we uncover and shine a light on and explore ... the better we will all be for it.

DonfromChicago: Hi Michelle, How long were you an actress before you got this part?

Michelle: I have been on stage since I was 6, but I started getting paid to act about 10 years ago.

mike22chi: have any family or friends came out of the closet to you do to you role and understanding on the show?

Michelle: None of my family or friends have come out of the closet to me. But a dear friend of mine recently came out of the closet to his parents. And I offered him strength throughout the process. And validated his courage. I find I have a lot of strangers coming up to me, coming out of the closet about their entire sex life. I find there are a lot of people out there that want to talk about sex and love and homosexuality and bisexuality ... and all sorts of topics and they feel safe coming up to me on the streets and talking about it. I find that very interesting. To say the least!

queerfansX8: what advice do you think of a young woman unsure about her sexuality should take from your show?

Michelle: First I want to say that I hope I don't steer you in the wrong direction ... because ultimately only you can answer that question. And with that preface and having let myself off the hook ... I would say that you should follow your heart. Not be afraid to explore your own sexuality as long as you are safe and you don't put yourself in a position to be harmed. But I do feel that a woman has a right to explore her sexuality just as much as a man. And to not be afraid of that. Sexuality is tied in with your creativity and very often government will try to control a nation's sexuality ... because it is tied in with several other things like creativity and point of view and independence. So live, but be safe.

dawner: michelle, you sound so passionate about these issues you have spoke about, you are doing a great job portray melonie.. keep up the good work We are totally in love with her. And you...

Michelle: That is very sweet and nice to hear. I hope that that passion is contagious. I hope everyone in the world could be passionate about human rights and peace and love. And 1968 lives!

ninfem: michelle, do you practice buddhism?

Michelle: I don't practice, but I've read books on it, and I have taken a few ideas from it. I have a hodgepodge of religion and I pull from all different sorts of religion and art to create my own point of view. I find it fascinating and have several books on it at home.

kim507: Have you read any of Deepak Chopra's works?

Michelle: Yes, I have read some of his books. The one I have next to my desk is the 7 Spiritual Laws for Success. I find his books very enlightening.

Jovita: Michelle I just want to comment on how a wonderful performance you put into your character, I feel the passion, pain, and happiness, it's unlike any other show

Michelle: Thank you! That's really sweet. I love working on this show and I don't watch much TV, so I don't know what's really out there. But I know I love this show and working on it. I'm glad to hear that you love the show too.

silver: Will your character and Lindsay have a little more air time this season?? It seems like last season you two were on about five minutes of every show!!

Michelle: I think it's apparent that we've had more airtime thus far and will have even more airtime throughout the season. Thank you for caring about our airtime!

r2: Do you think Lyndsi parents will ever come a round at least a little

Michelle: I don't know what the future holds for Lindsay's parents, but I think you can ... somewhat tell that they're pretty repressed people. They have so many walls up towards Melanie and Lindsay's life style that it will not be a simple process.

swflaboy: What are your ambitions as an actor?

Michelle: Thank you for your question. My ambitions are to seek out and find projects to be a part of that explore and enlighten and educate people ... about human nature and about themselves. That also entertain. To really make people feel and to wake them up. And if I can accomplish this, I'm very happy. Especially if I can accomplish it on a large scale. I think that as an actor, I try to think about Thoreau says: ""We must all connect."" So I try to find material I connect with on a spiritual level. And I want to work with people I connect with. And if everything is working, hopefully the audience will be able to connect as well. It's all about connection.

Cathy: What has been the hardest episode to do so far, for you? And do you have a favorite episode?

Michelle: The hardest episode is one I haven't shot yet. It will start shooting next week. And I already know it will be my hardest episode to do. As far as my favorite episode, that's very hard to say. I just watched the 3rd episode from the pilot from last season. And I laughed when I was watching the bris scene because I remember what we were all going through while shooting that ... and coming together for the first time. This season, my favorite episode I think will be #11. For reasons that are dear to my heart.

Tracy: Michelle, where do you call home?

Michelle: I now call home Toronto. But when I go back to L.A. this summer, I'll call home L.A. But the older I get, the more I see Oregon as my real home. And I do see myself maybe some day going back there and having a ranch or something funky and natural ... with lots of animals and children.

moreismore: If you could have person guest star on the show who would it be?

Michelle: I would have to say k.d. lang and Margaret Cho. Maybe they could be Siamese Twins or something and turn them into one person!

Jess: Do you have any plans for this hiatus?

Michelle: The only plan I have right now is to get up tomorrow and shoot the next episode. This hiatus, I have no plans, as of yet. But just to get back to L.A., palm trees and some sunshine. It's too far in the future to think about that. Thanks to everyone for writing in. There were some very interesting questions. And I thank you all for your support for the show. Keep watching. And have a wonderful week!

Moderator1: Thank you for chatting with
Michelle. We hope you've enjoyed the chat and the seventh episode of season two of QAF. Keep visiting queer.SHO.com for more insight into QAF, and come back next Sunday, February 24 to chat with other Queer As Folk fans. The chat room will open at 10pm ET (7pm PT) so that you can chat with other QAF fans during the episode and afterward until 11:30pm ET (8:30pm PT)! If you missed tonight's episode, tune in to SHOWTIME on Tuesday at 11pm ET/PT to catch the encore play. See you next time! The chat room will be closing in two minutes, but you can head on over to the message boards and share your thoughts about this weeks episode. The chat room is now closed. Thanks for joining in on tonight's chat. Copyright (c)2002, Showtime Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.