Joan Van Ark – Exclusive Interview

DallasTVshow.com: Joan Van Ark – How the hell are you? (laughs)

Joan Van Ark: I’m very well, thank you. How are you?

DallasTVshow.com: I’ll get back to you on that (laughs). This has been a crazy day. I don’t want to read my horoscope. I don’t want to know what they had in mind (laughs).

DallasTVshow.com: Josh is with me. I say with me, I’m here in London and Josh is on the line from the US.

DallasTVshow.com: I think I just missed you in Dallas. I was down just after they shot JR’s funeral and I think you were doing wardrobe.

Joan Van Ark: I was and I went out to Southfork as a matter of fact which wasn’t part of the schedule but because they were out there I had to go out there to their trailer out at Southfork. That was such a trip. Were you out on location, you were probably at the memorial.

DallasTVshow.com: I was at the ranch all day.

Joan Van Ark: You were? My god I came out there. Were you at the site they were shooting [JR’s memorial]?

DallasTVshow.com: No, I rode by and the driver asked if I wanted to be dropped off at that particular site.

Joan Van Ark: And you said, “No it would be a long walk back.” (laughs)

DallasTVshow.com: (laughs) Right, and what happens if they say “What are you doing here? You need to leave.” How do I get out of there?

Joan Van Ark: So you then you probably talked to Linda because I came back in with Linda. I have to tell you, I don’t want to reveal anything but I was at the actual site to talk with hair and make-up and to give Ted and Linda and Patrick a hug. It literally took my breath away. I think Mike Robin has consistently and the others too, because I watched all the episodes, I had not seen a frame of it until this Christmas break as homework prep, but I pretty much watched all the episodes back to back. And visually I think Mike Robin has captured such a magnificent sense of space and the look and everything. I have to say that this episode of JR’s funeral is going to knock everybody’s socks off - visually and of course emotionally.

DallasTVshow.com: I won’t wear socks that day then! (laughs)

Joan Van Ark: Don’t and take your shoes off too just in case. You don’t want to lose those (laughs)

DallasTVshow.com: On a previous trip down one of the tour guides [from Southfork] took me around different places and she took me to that particular location last year because that is where Miss Ellie’s grave was and then she took me to the Southfork trailer park if you can believe that

Joan Van Ark: Trailer park? (laughs) That’s where JR probably thinks Valene was raised.

DallasTVshow.com: (laughs)

Joan Van Ark: The way he felt about her. He always looked at me as pond scum or trailer trash. I’m guessing that is why I’m not part, it’s also part of the storyline, of that amazing upcoming episode. Now did you see the two hour (season two) opener last Monday?

DallasTVshow.com: Yes, yeah.

Joan Van Ark: Right, let’s hear from both of you. Let’s hear the review.

DallasTVshow.com: Yeah I thought it was really good. I actually thought it was an improvement on season one as it felt more like Dallas (the original).

Joan Van Ark: The traditional Dallas?

DallasTVshow.com: Yes. It takes a bit of getting used to as it is a bit more fast-paced as opposed to the original series. I thought compared to season one Linda Gray’s character of Sue Ellen felt more integrated into the fabric of the show.

Joan Van Ark: I think that’s one of the biggest changes of season two, although I have not seen a frame of season two. I had a scene with her and she gets more gorgeous, accomplished and all of it. I think that’s going to be a gorgeous leap and a positive and wonderful enrichment of that character. It’s a delicious character and all of it is very special but I think they are enhancing everything which is what happens with a good team when they keep evolving it and creating it and making it better and better.

DallasTVshow.com: I thought season one was like a ten part pilot, kind of setting the table and then season two….

Joan Van Ark: ….will be the meal. It will be more of the meal then. If they are setting the table then you start to bring the appetizers and the main course.

DallasTVshow.com: Exactly. Then you bring back the Barnes-Ewing feud and everything, which was kind of out there but not really there in season one.

Joan Van Ark: What I loved in season one and I’m hoping they mind this in season two, I love the cross-generational weave. They have love stories, they have conflicts and greed, backstabbing and all of it but it’s cross-generational. It’s what David E Kelley did on Boston Legal or Private Practice, maybe both actually but they had Holland Taylor as sexy and vital and appealing as anybody. It’s like JR says to Sue Ellen in season one, one of the things that jumps out to me, “You’re still the prettiest woman in the room” and he looked her right in the eye and said that and I mean my god that’s ageless, I thought that was pure, pure gold. I love they have done it cross generational where the young titans with all their jealousy and love but it still exists too with the other generation. I love that.

DallasTVshow.com: While we are on this subject, we did receive a question in relation to this. We recently spoke to David Jacobs and he loves the show but he did feel certain elements were perhaps too plot driven in comparison to original Dallas or Knots Landing where it was very character driven. Do you feel that’s true?

Joan Van Ark: Yes, I do but what I have loved so far, I feel they have been - and I know this is why Larry, Linda and Patrick were attracted to it - I think they have realized the responsibility and core of each character and they haven’t violated that, they have enhanced it. And that’s a gift right there, that’s Cynthia Cidre doing her magic because it’s never violated the core of who they are. Then it digs deeper and in fact adds more, you know like dropping a pebble in a pond and you’ve got rings that go out from that. So I think she [Cynthia Cidre] and I tribute her for that, of not just tossing out what is the core of Bobby as the moral upright one and JR with his shenanigans and Sue Ellen we’re not sure and we’re probably going to continue to not be sure through this second season because everybody’s responsibilities have changed with the absence of JR. Here is the thing I want to say about David (Jacobs) too. In reflection having been down there, it was like a class reunion of sorts which I have never attended but every time I revisit Dallas or Knots Landing those are my High School reunions. But David Jacobs has supplied a sorority of actors with the most delicious golden parts which have gone on and on and on to fulfill the actors and the fans. I say god bless David Jacobs.

DallasTVshow.com: Patrick Duffy called Dallas the gift that keeps on giving.

Joan Van Ark: It’s exactly that and David wrapped up the box and put a bow on it. Actually Lenny Katzman and a lot of them put the bow on it but David gave the gift box and the rest is frosting and wonderful frosting.

DallasTVshow.com: We have received quite a few questions from the fans. Everyone is really excited to see you back. It’s for three episodes right?

Joan Van Ark: Ted is three and Joan is one.

DallasTVshow.com: Joan is one? Oh.

Joan Van Ark: I know. I don’t know how to dance around this. I am grateful, honored, thrilled, all of it but when I got the word that was the situation, I’m not going to say it broke my heart, I won’t say that but it’s the storyline too and that they had written before Larry passing so they stuck with it and I see why because Ted had filmed before Christmas the first of his three. I am honored to contribute in any way possible because it’s the diving board of my whole television career at least, although I have done a lot of Broadway and theater. I owe Dallas everything I got and I was thrilled and honored even though I must say it’s minimal, it’s a thrill and an honor and I will be there what, when, how they want or need me.

DallasTVshow.com: Without giving much away too much, we know you can’t reveal much but can you reveal any details as to what brings Val back to Dallas? There are rumors of a connection with Sue Ellen; there are rumors of marital problems between Gary and Val.

Joan Van Ark: Well, you’re right. I’m not allowed to say anything. But, I will say this: I think Cynthia Cidre knows EXACTLY what she’s doing, and there are fabulous story lines for both Gary and Sue Ellen, whether or not they are connected, I won’t say, but I do think the fans will love it!

DallasTVshow.com: Ted is in the episode, but is Charlene in the same episode?

Joan Van Ark: Yes she is.

DallasTVshow.com: What was it like getting back with Ted and Charlene after all this time?

Joan Van Ark: Well I see Ted socially and I do see Charlene too. We did a couple of game shows, we did Pyramid once and she actually won it for me/us, we were a team. But it was really something to be on the set, I call her my little girl and just to be there with her was an emotional scene. Playing the scene with Ted it’s almost like there was no separation, once we looked at each other and doing the scene it was like there was no gap. It’s weird. It’s five thousand years since we acted Gary and Val together and yet it was right there. It was weird.

DallasTVshow.com: As far as Val in 2013, has she moved away from being “poor Val”?

Joan Van Ark: Well, see that was my—yes, that’s a great question. That was my intrigue and excitement to see Cynthia or her team of writers might visualize Valene and I think there’s a clue and because it was the last scene of the night, 9:00 at night after a full day of shooting and that’s when we got to this scene, I’m not sure how it comes off but it was a clue and I kind of liked it and I went with it very strongly where I could’ve softened it maybe and I still wrestle with that. I run 10 miles every day and I wrestle within the run — “Should I have been lightened up and more vintage Val or should I have done it the way I did it?” and it’s done and it’s out there so I feel it would be more interesting that she grows and evolves and becomes stronger. If not stronger, then maybe bitter, but I don’t think she’s a bitter person. I think she’s got a great spirit and a goodness about her that she wouldn’t be bitter.

DallasTVshow.com: Do we find anything out about the twins? Do they exist in this universe?

Joan Van Ark: There certainly wasn’t any mention in this go-round at all about them, and you know what? My guess is there won’t be because Cynthia has mentioned in another interview about rights to the character. All of us who were in fact on DALLAS, the original, those are the only characters who Cynthia and Mike (Robin) have the rights to. Betsy and Bobby are a pure Knots Landing creation, so I don’t think there’s going to be any link-up with that.

DallasTVshow.com: What are your memories of Larry Hagman?

Joan Van Ark: There is nothing, I mean, Larry’s mother played Peter Pan, and was one of my mother’s favorite shows. There’s a song in Peter Pan, the musical, “I Won’t Grow Up”. Peter Pan would sing it— “I won’t grow up, I will never even try.” You know, way better. The thing is, that is Larry, to my heart and soul, and that is the heart and soul of a good actor. An actor has to be a child, willing to open it up and not protect and let it all show and let it all be out there heart and soul, whatever it is. Larry had a forever, ever, ever young attitude about life, and work, and all of it. He said, “Don’t worry, be happy, feel good.” All these things are Larry, Larry, Larry, Larry. I just couldn’t believe it about him dying because he is the antithesis of death. He’s everything about life. He loved acting, he loved working, I loved being on the set with him. He would shoot peanut butter through his teeth off-camera.

DallasTVshow.com: (laughs)

Joan Van Ark: Yeah, how’s that for playing opposite somebody when it’s a dramatic emotional scene, and he’ll shoot peanut butter between his teeth on the off-camera dialogue? He and Patrick together were just two little devils. But it kept the set the way it’s supposed to be – light and comfortable and loose so that you can do your best work. When it gets tense, you tighten up and the work isn’t the best. Patrick has maintained that it’s one of the most profound moments that I had when I was just now down in Dallas. Patrick has assumed the role of the host. It’s silent, it’s subtle and it’s totally there. God bless him because he puts his arms around me and it was just so special.

DallasTVshow.com: Do you have any wrap-up messages for the fans that are out there?

Joan Van Ark: Just stay there with us, and that means both “Knots” and “Dallas” because I feel that there is a connection there. Stay there, give your heart and soul to us as I think we’re giving our heart and soul to you. I know for me, Valene is one of the most important people in my career and my life and I always want to do her proud. I’m so grateful for any of the people out there that go with her and take the ride with her because I need you and I hope you need me.

Editor: Special thanks to the wonderful and inspiring Joan Van Ark