In the Spotlight with.. Richard Channing

[Richard Channing]

First, I have to ask: was the gender switch from Kristin to Richard painful?

Actually no. You may remember Kristin was quite the chameleon, which made transitioning all the more easy.

I would also like to know which 7 famous people would you have big framed photos of in your home (if you were forced to have framed pictures of other people)?

Good question. I'll go with famous people that not only inspired me, but are also easy on the eye.

Marilyn Monroe
Elvis Presley
Marlon Brando
Joan Collins
Jim Morrison
Elizabeth Taylor
Paul Newman

 

[Richard Channing]

Thanks for your questions BF.

I have never been to Ireland, if i were to visit where do you recommend and where are the best places to go to?

I would go to the west of Ireland, more specifically the south west. County Kerry is absolutely beautiful. We used to go there every summer when I was young. Beautiful mountains and stunning beaches. Then north of there is the Burren in County Clare, which is a strange and beautiful limestone landscape with some unique flora and fauna. Also not far from there you have the very dramatic Cliffs of Moher. There are so many beautiful places in Ireland but these places are probably some of the must-sees.

I also like photography, what kind of things do you llike to photograph?

Oh all kinds of things really, landscapes, architecture, people. But if I had to choose I probably like photographing people the most.

Do you have any fav countries you have visited?

I have many, it's hard to choose. Definitely Thailand as I mentioned above. I love Nepal and have some very special memories from my time there. India too. And also I was lucky enough to live in Tanzania from when I was 14 to 17 so they were amazing years and it has a special place in my heart. Oh, and I love New York City.

Do you like Sports and do you have a fav football team?

I'm not a big sports fan to be hoest and I don't follow football at all.

What was your fav Bond film out of curiosity and fav Bond girl?

Hard to pick. I'm going to pick one Sean Connery one and one Roger Moore one. Goldfinger and The Spy Who Loved me. But also special mention to Casino Royale (2006) and Moonraker is a real guilty pleasure.

As for favourite Bond Girl, again, hard to choose but i'm going to go for the one and only Mrs. Bond, Tracy, played by the wonderful Diana Rigg. R.I.P.

 

[Richard Channing]

. You said you like music, so I was wondering what's the best concert experience you've ever had?

That's a great question Karin. I think I'd have to say Prince in Dublin in 1992. The atmosphere was just incredible even before Prince finally came on, there was a real buzz in the air.

2. What's you favorite movie?

Oh, that's just too difficult! I couldn't pick one even if I tried. I'm gonna give you the first 5 that come into my head, how's that?

Alien
American Beauty
The Talented Mr'Ripley
Kill Bill
Jaws

What made you interested in learning how to do pottery?

There is a UK TV show called The Great Pottery Throwdown, it's kind of like The Great British Bake Off but with pottery. I got really into it, and a friend of mine did also so we both decided to sign up for a class. Plus when I was shopping for my new apartment I found I couldn't stop buying beautiful cups and mugs. I had to restrain myself cause I kept seeing ones I just had to have, and ended up with way more than I need. But anyway, I just started to really appreciate ceramics, and hopefully soon I'll be making my own.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Time for a follow-up question: in what way did Marilyn Monroe inspire you? (I'm not going to do the whole list, just this one).

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Hello Richard!

I have many, it's hard to choose. Definitely Thailand as I mentioned above. I love Nepal and have some very special memories from my time there. India too. And also I was lucky enough to live in Tanzania from when I was 14 to 17 so they were amazing years and it has a special place in my heart. Oh, and I love New York City.

You certainly have lived in very interesting places. Have you ever been to or wanted to visit Bhutan?

I would probably have to go with Koh Phangan, an island in Thailand where I lived on and off from 2001 - 2008. Total paradise, where I met lots of wonderful people and had some of the best years of my life.

Were you in Thailand when the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami hit?

 

[Richard Channing]

What would your perfect day look like and what would you do with an unlimited budget?

Thanks for your questions Pete. I'm pretty easily pleased. My perfect day would be spent with friends on a beautiful beach somewhere on a warm sunny day. I'd probably have a Thai massage on the beach before lunch. Have a nice lunch overlooking the sea and then back onto the beach for a few mojitos maybe. After sunset we'd head for a good restaurant with spectacular views and maybe a bar or two afterwards. And I guess if it's really going to be a perfect day I then spend then night with some gorgeous latin hunk.

Out of all the big Primetime soaps, which house would you live in and why?

I would live at Falcon Crest. I just love the whole ambiance of the mansion and surrounding vineyards. I'd enjoy the California weather and also it's just a short drive into San Francisco for eating out and nightlife.

And....my regular question, if you had a TARDIS (time machine) which famous event in time would you visit to find out what really happened?

Oooh that's a tough one. Maybe not a famous event exactly, but I would have loved to have attended one of Studio 54's most decadent, lavish parties. Also, I'm a bit of a hippie at heart so I wouldn't mind going to Woodstock.

 

[Richard Channing]

Time for a follow-up question: in what way did Marilyn Monroe inspire you? (I'm not going to do the whole list, just this one).

I guess how she went from being an orphan with nothing to becoming one of the biggest stars in the world. But really she fascinates me more than inspires me. The dichotomy of her breathy, pouting dumb blonde persona and the sensitive, intelligent, funny woman she really was. Also, just how dazzlingly beautiful she was and the power she had over men.

 

[Richard Channing]

You certainly have lived in very interesting places. Have you ever been to or wanted to visit Bhutan?

I've never been to Bhutan and honestly, I don't know much about it. But I'm always up for exploring new places.

Were you in Thailand when the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami hit?

Yes I was. I had just arrived a couple of days before with my partner. But we were on the other side of the mainland, the South China Sea side. So it was just another day in paradise there. We had no idea of the destruction that was happening not all that far away. It was only when I went to the town on Boxing Day to call home that I saw on the TV screens what had happened.

 

[Angela Channing]

Hard to pick. I'm going to pick one Sean Connery one and one Roger Moore one. Goldfinger and The Spy Who Loved me. But also special mention to Casino Royale (2006) and Moonraker is a real guilty pleasure.

As for favourite Bond Girl, again, hard to choose but i'm going to go for the one and only Mrs. Bond, Tracy, played by the wonderful Diana Rigg. R.I.P.

Until Daniel Craig came along, On Her Majesty's Secret Service was my favourite Bond film and I think it's sorely underrated because George Lazenby only did one Bond film so it's overlooked by many. Skyfall and Casino Royale are now my favourite Bond films.

 

[Angela Channing]

Today's questions:

1. Ome's introduction reminded me that you were Laquisha Tramell in Soap Chat's Big Brother. Why did you decide on creating that character? Did you like watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta (I've never seen it) and was she based on Phaedra Parks as it was her photo that you used?
2. Who is the most fascinating person that you've met?
3. Who is the most famous person that you've met?
4. What was the last thing that made you cry?

 

[Alexis]

Hi Richard... I know you are a music fan so my question is this, is there an album or even an artist that you go to as a sort of natural antidepressant? Something or someone that you can put on that will lift your mood and motivate you when you find yourself down or in low spirits.

 

[Richard Channing]

Until Daniel Craig came along, On Her Majesty's Secret Service was my favourite Bond film and I think it's sorely underrated because George Lazenby only did one Bond film so it's overlooked by many. Skyfall and Casino Royale are now my favourite Bond films.

It's one of my favourites too and Telly Savalas is one of the best Bond villains. Casino Royale is probably the best Bond film in two or even three decades. That finale in Venice was incredible, and Vesper's death scene in particular was breathtaking.

I just heard a rumor, and of course there are many on the subject, that Tom Hardy may possibly be the next James Bond, and the more I think about it he could actually be a really good choice. Let's see...

 

[Richard Channing]

Ome's introduction reminded me that you were Laquisha Tramell in Soap Chat's Big Brother. Why did you decide on creating that character? Did you like watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta (I've never seen it) and was she based on Phaedra Parks as it was her photo that you used?

Actually I'd never seen Real Housewives of Atlanta and didn't know anything about her. I had a picture in my mind of who I wanted my character to be and I came across some gifs of her that were pretty funny and I liked her style, she was perfect for what I had in mind. So I went with her and there were a whole host of great gifs to use during the game.

Who is the most fascinating person that you've met?

Great question. And a hard one. I've been think about this today and it's hard to choose. So my choice is not exactly one person but a group. In India I had the chance to live with some sadhus for a week. Those are the holy men with big beards and turbans that usually just wear a loin cloth. It was fascinating and a pretty crazy experience. It was on this island where two rivers meet which is a holy place and place of pilgrimage. There were lots of old little temples dotted all over it and each one had a group of sadhus that were the keepers of that temple. I was there to learn and practice different yoga and meditation techniques but as it turned out we mostly just got stoned and partied. Every night different sadhus would come over for a party that involved playing music, telling stories and singing, and getting pissed on some kind of tree bark concoction. It was a riot. There were some real characters.

Who is the most famous person that you've met?

That I have got to sit and have a conversation with, probably Elton John.

What was the last thing that made you cry?

I honestly can't remember! Not that it's that long ago. I'm more prone to tearing up the older I get. If I remember I'll post it.

 

[Richard Channing]

Who was your favorite in the soapchat big brother house @Richard Channing oh btw Barbie says Hello

Barbie of course!

 

[Richard Channing]

Hi Richard... I know you are a music fan so my question is this, is there an album or even an artist that you go to as a sort of natural antidepressant? Something or someone that you can put on that will lift your mood and motivate you when you find yourself down or in low spirits.

Great question Alexis and I didn't have to think too long about this one. It's definitely Carpenters. Karen could be singing the saddest song in the world but her voice is just so soothing and all enveloping. It's like a big warm hug. But not just Karen's voice, the melodies, the instrumentation, the harmonies, all of it.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Thank you @Richard Channing for answering my questions and appreciate the time you have taken to answer all questions. As someone who loves to travel too Im slightly envious that you have lived abroad in Asia. Should have been heading there next month but no longer happening.

Its a great continent, the sounds, smells, tastes and cultures and most of all the people make it so special

Thanks for the tips on Ireland and where to go, I work with a lot of staff who hail from your neck of the woods and just for info BBG used to have a holiday home in Galway!!

 

[Richard Channing]

Should have been heading there next month but no longer happening.

Oh no, how disappointing. Where were you planning to go in Asia?

BBG used to have a holiday home in Galway!!

Interesting! I didn't know that. Galway is actually somewhere else I'd really recommend. Galway city has a great vibe and the countryside and beaches are beautiful.

 

[supermanfan]

Barbie of course!

I will let Barbie know

 

[James from London]

Richard, what are the last ten songs (or albums) that you downloaded?

TELL ME THEIR NAMES!

 

[Richard Channing]

Richard, what are the last ten songs (or albums) that you downloaded?

TELL ME THEIR NAMES!

Well I mostly use Spotify these days so don't really download anything anymore, but I can tell you the last 10 songs I added to a playlist, how's that?

Sails Across The Sea - Boz Metzdorf
He Called Me Baby - Candi Staton
Les Amis (Actual Magic Remix) - Francois De Roubaix
Time (You and I) - Khruangbin
Say You Love Me - Alec Khaoli and Umoja
Once I Had A Love (AKA The Disco Song) - Blondie
Young Americans - Durand Jones and The Indications
Rolling - Michael Kiwanuka
Harmony Hall - Vampire Weekend
Magician's Success - Vanishing Twin