Soap Opera Digest: How are you enjoying New York so far?
David Tom:I love it. I have some friends here, so I’ve gone out a little, but I really haven’t had time since I’ve been working so much. When I got the job, I had three days to move, and I had to take care of all these things back in L.A. I literally grabbed a bag and hopped on a plane to come here.Digest: Have you found a place to live yet?
Tom: Yes, I finally found my own apartment. It’s very cool — there’s a fireplace. I’m anxious to make it a home and start having people over.Digest: Is it near Heather’s place?
Tom: No, we’re on opposite sides of the city.Digest: Did having Heather on the show help make the transition easier?
Tom: Definitely. She has helped me out, showed me around the studio. I’ve enjoyed working with her, too. We always wanted to work together when we were on Y&R, but in the three-and-a-half years I was there, it never happened. We’re familiar with the way the other acts, so it’s nice that we’re playing brother and sister.
Digest: Have you had a chance to hang out with anyone else on-set?
Tom: No, not as much as I’d like, but everyone seems really cool. John-Paul [Lavoisier, Rex] has invited me to poker night, but I just haven’t had the time. I’d like to go when I do get a chance. He might be coming to a party with me out in L.A. I also like the guy who plays River, Matthew [Twining]. I’ll eventually get to spend more time with people; it’ll come.Digest: You’ve basically been working two jobs since the crossover story (in which Paul stole Babe’s baby for Kelly) with ALL MY CHILDREN began. Paul has been on AMC more than he’s been on OLTL.
Tom: Yeah, it has been a lot of work. On the day that they did the crossover show [March 23], I worked from like 7 in the morning until 1 the next morning. It was exhausting. Basically, I’ll go to work, then go home, learn my lines, watch some TV and go to sleep. There hasn’t been much time to do anything else. I haven’t even had time to go shopping, which I really need to do! It’s been worth it, though. The crossover stuff has been a lot of fun.Digest: Playing Paul, a villain, is much different than playing Billy, a nice guy.
Tom: Definitely, though I’m trying not to play Paul as being entirely evil. I’m trying to show that he has some compassion, too. I like that he has different sides.Digest: How long do you think the crossover story will last?
Tom: I don’t know. It has a lot of possibilities, so it could last for years.Digest: What has surprised you the most about OLTL?
Tom: Mostly the work ethic. The way they do rehearsals and set things up is much different than it was at Y&R. That’s taken some time to get used to. But I’m enjoying it. It seems like a cool place to be.
