Revisit the Class of 2002 with cliques of highschool geeks, jocks, rich kids, popular kids and rebellious troublemaker, greaser with the Columbia Pictures film "Not Another Teen Movie."

Eric Christian Olsen

Actress Jaime Pressly, who plays the lead cheerleader "Priscilla," and actor Eric Christian Olsen, who plays the cocky blonde guy, "Austin," who turns the school's hopeless girl into a prom queen, talks about the film.

Pressly has been featured in films such as "Tomcats," "Joe Dirt," "Ringmaster," "Can't Hardly Wait," "Blue Coyote," "Trash," and "The Journey: Absolution" She has also appeared on the television shows "Jack & Jill," "Best Actress" and "Mortal Kombat."

Olsen has appeared in the films "Pearl Harbor," "Mean People Suck," "Black Car Run." His television appearances include "Smallville," "Lessons Learned," "Get Real," and "E.R."

"Not Another Teen Movie," a Columbia Pictures Comedy will open in theaters nationwide on Friday, Dec. 14, 2001.

The transcript follows below.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

washingtonpost.com: How long did it take to film the movie? Were the roles that you played the roles that you auditioned for? Why did you decide to audition for them?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: It took 2 months to film the movie. It was the character that I went in for originally and in the last five years the bad girl role was what I wanted but someone else would get.

Eric: The cocky blonde guy was the role I went in originally came in for and I love the character because he's hilarious. I usually do dramas but this gave me a chance to show contrast and show diversity.

Alexandria, Va.: Heh...I liked the working title: "Ten Things I Hate About Clueless Road Trips When I Can't Hardly Wait to Be Kissed"

I'm actually kind of a fan of cheesy teen movies. When spoofs like this get made and you play a character as a riff off of someone else's character, what kind of reaction does the other actor have? Are there ever hurt feelings, or do people tend to have a sense of humor about being spoofed?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: Well if you can't laugh at yourself, who the hell do you think you are? We're not making fun of the actors but made fun of the characters that are written.

Eric: Perfect example is Ron Lester who plays the "stupid fat guy" in "Not Another Teen Movie" is making fun of his character in Varsity Blues. And he thinks it's great and funny.

Bethesda, Md.: What is harder -- doing a nude scene or talking to a person who is nude for a scene?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: Definitely doing a nude scene because you are totally naked to the people on the set. For a woman, the crew is mostly men, it feels like a violation. On Jack & Jill I had to do a scene with a guy who was basically naked and you just don't look down! You basically talk to him and look him in the eye.

Eric: I did it a scene with someone who was nude and we had a great conversation. It was fine and comfortable. We basically talked about philosophy.

Hendon, Va.: It seems from the trailer that you take aim at both the 80's teen angst movies like Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink as well as more recent teen flicks. Is this movie targeted at today's teens or will those of us who saw Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire when they were in theaters enjoy this too?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: We're paying homage to the John Hughes films and not making fun of them. We're making fun of the most recent films. It is cross-generational - it's funny. Everybody's seen Varsity Blues and Pretty in Pink and all the other stuff. You don't have to see the movies of the last five years in order to see this film and laugh.

Arlington, Va.: Jamie, on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate yourself in the looks department?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: I would never rate myself. I would rate myself blessed.

Not-too-relevant question for Jaime: Jaime, has "Jack & Jill" officially been canceled, or is it on permanent hiatus? Looooved that show. (How much dance experience do you have?)

Can't wait to see the new movie, since I grew up on John Hughes and have been reliving my youth with all the teen movies released lately.

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jack & Jill is done. I have danced for 21 years and I have a new ABC series that will be out in Fall of 2002.
I think Not Another Teen Movie is a success and is hilarious and I'm very proud of it and everyone in it. It will make you laugh your a** off and everyone needs a good laugh.

Eric: Not Another Teen Movie is a successful comedy that makes you laugh. When I saw this movie, I laughed for an hour and a half. What more can you ask for?

Tysons Corner, Va.: What are the next films you both are working on? Jaime, are you dating now?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: I'm doing my own thing and taking care of myself and working right now. I'm not dating right now and I'm working on the ABC development right now.

Eric: I'm working on the lead of a movie called Local Boys and an episode of Smallville. I'm opening up a production company, Cloud 9 productions, with Matthew Cole Weiss.

washingtonpost.com: Eric, you have also worked in off-broadway shows, how has the transition from stage to film changed your style in acting? Has your career expanded from the transition -- will you be doing both?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: There is a big difference between stage and film. For stage you have to act for the people who sit in the back rows. For film, it is much more internal. They both have their benefits and right now I'm happy with both t.v. and film.

Tinseltown: Hi there. How does your movie differentiate itself from "She's All That"?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: It's a spoof on that and 20 other films of the last 15 years!

washingtonpost.com: What movies are you both working on now? Will both of you stay in comedy or are you looking to expand to different genres? Have you worked in any independent films?

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: I've done 15 independent films. I've played dramatic roles and comedy and I like performing dramedy -- either a straight comedy and straight drama.

Eric: I usually play drama. They both have their benefits and the most emotionally honest and realistic is the line between drama and comedy -- which is a dramedy.

Arlington, Va.: Jamie, you said you would never rate yourself, but you just did as blessed. Btw, I'd give you a nine out of ten for looks.

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Thank you and I appreciate the support!

Jaime Pressly and Eric Christian Olsen: Jaime: If you want to laugh and forget about everything else for an hour and a half, go see the movie on Dec. 14. Laughter is the best medicine.

Eric: Thank you for writing in questions and we really appreciate it.

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

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