Days fans fondly remember Miss Calliope Jones, the fashionable doyenne of Salem. With her often over-the-top hats and colorful style, she was a fan favorite during her run on Days of our Lives. We got a chance to catch up with the talented actress who portrayed Calliope, Arleen Sorkin. She was kind enough to field a few questions from the fans.
What's your all-time favorite episode of Days?
Being a beatnik with MacDonald Carey. Who, by the way, told me that children fans of his used to think he said "this is my dumb old carrot and these are the 'Days of our Lives.'"
What was your favorite episode to shoot? Favorite Calliope plotline?
When Calliope played a robot. I got paid for playing two parts.
What are you doing now?
I'm a writer, producer, and happily married to the co-creator of Modern Family, Christopher Lloyd. I have two children, both of whom bare an uncanny resemblance to John Delancie. One is 12 and one is 16.
Which do you enjoy more, voice-over or live acting? How are they different?
Voice-over. Because you don't have to comb your hair.
Did you have a hand in designing Calliope's wardrobe?
Yes, with the creativity of the late Lee Smith and the entire wardrobe department. And the fans that used to send me earrings. And of course, Lunch at the Ritz, that made my finest ones.
What helped inspire or influence your interpretation of Calliope's character?
Sherry Anderson wrote me and named me. And Shelley Curtis, now Shelley Litvak, the producer, told me that she saw Cyndi Lauper and she was my inspiration. Which was perfect because later Cyndi Lauper gave an interview where she said that she wanted a wedding dress like this girl she saw on a soap, whose dress sparked with lights when the groom kissed her. That was Calliope's wedding dress on New Year's Eve when she married Eugene. And Cyndi Lauper just happened to be home that day, watching TV.
Do you still like strawberry soda and beef jerky?
In the script, I was supposed to have strawberry soda and bananas. I hate bananas. So I switched it to beef jerky.
How did you like acting with John de Lancie?
I loved it. His two roommates at Juilliard were William Hurt and Mandy Patinkin. And even though I kept telling him that he was having more fun than them on Days of our Lives with me, I don't think he believed me until we left the show.
Do you keep in touch with John de Lancie?
Yes. At his birthday party, I told the story of how I once went into his dressing room and he was sitting on the toilet reading the paper, unembarrassed. And I screamed at him, "We're not really married. Shut the door!"
Did you form any lasting friendships with the other actors on the show?
Yes. Leann Hunley was one of my many friends on the show. On my very first day of work, she came up to me quietly. And I thought she was going to say, "Stay out of my light, don't step on my lines..." But instead she said, "When you come onto the set, bring a sweater. It gets cold." And I felt very protected.
What do you think is the future of daytime soaps?
My grandmother used to cook to the soaps. She'd say, "I put the brisket in before 'Guiding Light,' I taste and flavor the sauce during 'Secret Storm,' and I take it out after 'The Edge of Night.'" I still have the recipe she printed. I once heard Joanne Woodward say that daytime soaps are our country's repertory theatre. It would be a shame to lose it. Which is why I would like to tell the fans that anything they see advertised on their shows, buy it. Because if they don't, all we will have are talk shows, judge shows, and other shows with people behaving badly.
What happened to the android that Eugene built of Calliope in 1989?
She's in features now and too big to talk to you.
For more Arleen Sorkin images, check out the "Something About Calliope" photo gallery. CLICK HERE!
