Comedy is a key element in making entertaining TV shows and films. While some soaps in the past have been traditionally very serious, comedic breaks between the drama help balance the tension and add levity when needed. On Days of Our Lives, the story of Cat pretending to be a not-dead Abigail was very serious. But now that the story’s over, her portrayer AnnaLynne McCord can cut loose a little bit. She recently talked about inserting comedy into the drama.
Icons Inspired Her
McCord opened up to Soap Opera Digest about the various types of people she’s portrayed over the years, stating that she’s “played villains, or villainous characters, my entire career.” In Salem, Cat is still looked at with scorn by many people for her Abby deception. But the general opinions of her have cooled off since it was revealed that the dastardly Clyde (James Read) forced her to do it.
She explained that now is her chance to have fun with her characters, which would be a first in her years of acting. She added some “quirkiness” to her performance and looked to icons like Lucille Ball and Goldie Hawn for inspiration. But she doesn’t just copy one actor’s schtick, explaining, “I can’t just do one-note. I’ve got to add some fun AnnaLynne energy into it.”
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She’s an Oddball
Being home-schooled her whole life helped her create an unusual persona. “I’m kind of a bit of an oddball.” When approaching the character of Cat, she further noted, “I threw a little oddball energy in there.” And her goofy quirkiness and discomfort with Chad (Billy Flynn) help liven up the scenes. Cat accidentally getting mustard-covered hot dogs all over Chad was truly a hilarious moment on the show.
READ THIS: Find out what made no sense at Cat’s hospital fundraiser.
The actress said she’s often had Hawn in mind when playing her character. “She’s so endearing,” she stated, explaining that Hawn is “A little hot mess half the time, and it’s cute.” She also cited Cameron Diaz as someone good at self-deprecating humor, and that ability is highly entertaining.
