I am Pam on True Blood, aka actress Kristin Bauer. Ask me anything.

Someone asked my favorite costume & line: I absolutely love the corsets. There were a few outfits where i got to wear corsets, some modern day and some 1905. I think they are so Pam, especially because she came from the era that invented them. And my favorite line... well, I've got so many! Another one that I loved from last sunday: "You're like a fungus that won't go away."

Hi Kristin! What's it like being the best character on True Blood? Is it hard getting into "her" character? How do you keep a straight face like that for so many scenes?

Pam was my favorite from the first time I met her.

Thank you, thank you, first of all. And it's hard to keep a straight face! And I don't always keep a straight face. And those takes are on the blooper reel, that we see at the wrap party. But my job is to find the most sarcastic, harsh ways to deliver those lines. And I really enjoy it.

Pam is harsh and sarcastic. That's why I love her. But she does have her fair share of heartbreaking scenes. Were those hard to film?

The heartbreaking scenes were always an emotional day for me because those emotions last and I feel them as well, and the scenes take 12 hours to shoot, they weren't difficult to feel the emotions, because the scenes were so organically written and I have been playing the Pam / Eric relationship for so long, and I adore Alexander. I really felt incredibly blessed to get to play the opposite of the harsh exterior of Pam. I really loved those scenes.

Hello Kristin,

I have always wondered do you and Alexander Skarsgård hang out together much when not on set? You two seem so at ease with each other and the chemistry between you two seems so natural I would assume you do!

We work such long hours during the week that on the weekend, we want to see our other friends. But we're together 40-60 hours a week. But if we are on hiatus, we do keep in touch. I always want to see Alex. Right now he's in London for 6 months, and I won't get to see him until he's back.

I always wanted to know. The "Man Hands" (The Bizzaro Jerry)*episode of Seinfeld. How exaggerated was it, are your hands really that large?

Hahahahaha! Um... I am exceedingly happy to announce that those were not my hands. They had me keep my hands under the table, or under my sweater, I had to keep my hands hidden, and they would do a close up shot of a man, that they cast, as my hands, who had to wear my blouse (which of course didn't fit him so they had to cut the sleeves off and tape them on). I always find it so funny that I have no idea who he is and that he could come up to ME someday and say "I was your Man Hands!"

Okay but you can eat a lobster without claw crackers right?

Hahaha! Definitely not. That poor guy had to do that take a few times, and I remember he cut himself on that lobster claw, and he did have impressive man hands.

What is the best thing you got to take home from the True Blood set?

My fangs! I hope I never wear them in public. I just wanted to have them. They are custom made, they won't fit anybody else.

Did you guys run into many poachers for your doc and were you able to see first hand trading or tusks and keratin?

No, I tried to find and run into poachers and I didn't. I did see dead elephant carcasses, and I met former poachers who were working to protect elephants. Interestingly, they refused to talk about their days as poachers, and i respected that. they wanted to talk about the work they were doing now to conserve.

Hello Kristin!

I'm a huge fan of Pam but by looking at your posts on Twitter and Facebook, it looks like Pam and you couldn't be more different. Are there any similarities between the two of you and do you think you'd like Pam as a person if you'd get to meet her in real life?

My family would say there are similarities between Pam & myself. One being my sarcasm, and two my blunt nature. But where Pam is mainly blunt and a tiny bit vulnerable, I'm probably mainly vulnerable and less blunt. Just because I'm human and have to not offend people constantly.

My girlfriend is a massive fan. We have been watching together since the beginning. Do you ever wish you could be as blunt and to the point as Pam is?

MANY times, every day! I think the reason we all enjoy Pam is because we're living through her, vicariously. She doesn't speak anything but the truth. And she just doesn't care if people like her. And as a human, that is not allowed. And it would be so fun, for just a day, to get to say what we really think.

If you could turn anyone in real life and be their maker, who would it be?

Oh boy. Let's see: the president of China, because maybe I could influence him to help us stop the sale of ivory. We need an all-out ban before elephants are gone in the next 5 years.

I just want so say I love Pam! She is just an awesome charecter! My question for you is, what is your favorite Pam line?

There's so many great Pam lines. I love so many. But the speech where I threatened Lafayette and said "Maybe I smile too much. Maybe I wear too much pink. But please remember, I can rip your throat out if I need to" was a lot of fun to deliver.

Kristin, thanks for doing this AMA.

Back in 2012 you were scheduled to appear at Gencon in Indianapolis, but there was a last minute cancelation. Could you shed some light on what happened? Any chance you'll be making a future appearance?

What is your favorite part about playing Pam? You and Alexander are the driving forces behind my watching of True Blood. You have fantastic chemistry and your delivery is always top notch.

"I'm so over Sookie and her precious faerie vagina and her unbelievably stupid name! Fuck Sookie!" should go down as one of the best lines in the history of TV. Bravo.

100% when I have to cancel, it's because my shooting schedule conflicted. And we don't get the shooting schedule for the week until the week before. I definitely would love to go back to GenCon. If they ask me back, I will try again to be there.

The things that you love about viewing my character are exactly the same things I love about playing Pam. The writing, the dialogue, was so exceptional, and my fun friendship with Skarsgard made it so easy to play that relationship. Kristin could borrow from Pam, and Pam could borrow from Kristin, which is really nice for an actor, and so enjoyable on the set, on a really long 14 hour day. If you didn't like the person (or people) you were with, it would be hard.

I think that speech alone, the writers should have gotten an Emmy nomination. That was the most accurate, brilliant, heartfelt speech, and she's delivering such a funny line through anger and tears, which is just brilliant. I can't say enough how lucky I felt to have these writers be my makers.

I attend every year, and I'll voice my suggestion to have you invited back. It would be excellent to meet you!

Thanks so much for your answer! What's your favorite part about doing Cons? Do you have any funny stories about meeting any fans? Again, thank you for answering my questions, have a wonderful day!

I love doing conventions because I get to hear directly from the fans their experience of seeing True Blood. It's the only place where that happens. Online it happens, through social media, but it's not as personal. And I've had mainly wonderful experiences. I've only had a couple bizarre experiences, but that happens. I do watch out for fans who wear capes.

What would be your perfect ending for Pam?

You know, what you as viewers are about to see, I felt was perfect. Perfect for an actress to play, and to experience. And what I imagined as the last season for Pam was not as creative or multidimensional as what the writers came up with.

Hi Kristin,

I'm Omar from Sea Shepherd. (twitter @OmarSeaShepherd). Love how you support us and wondered if you had any plans to maybe visit us at the Ship Operations Base in Australia any time soon? OR visiting Australia?

Best, Omar

I would love to visit the home base! I am going to be in Australia in November and maybe we can arrange that.

Hey Kristin, I am a big fan of your work. To you, what has been the most shocking thing to happen in True Blood? Thanks for doing this!

There was one line i said in particular that i wondered if it would ever make it to air. When I called Sookie "a gash in a sundress," I was surprised that that actually aired. And when I read in the script that Vampire Bill was going to turn Lorena's head around during sex and kept having sex with her, I thought that was pretty inventive.

Hi Kristin have recently got into True Blood and love the show ....my question to you is if you were any other character from the show True Blood who would it be and why??

I'd love to know what it's like being Ryan Kwanten playing Jason Stackhouse for a day. I think he's just a comic genius. And is absolutely nothing like his character.

True Blood the Musical is floating around the Broadway rumor mills - would you think about joining the cast??

I've heard this rumor. And I would definitely have to find the balls to sing in public. Especially to sing AND dance in public. I'm not sure I'm up for that. I know Stephen Moyer would be, he's amazing.

Which character you've portrayed do you think you share the most characteristics with?

I've begun to feel less and less of a dividing line between me and Pam, so maybe it's good the show's ending! Because I have probably a much bigger vulnerable size. I'm a real cryer. But this season, we see Pam being so vulnerable. I think every character I've played has me in there. I definitely - all the character has is my imagination. So if we see it onscreen, part of me is in there.

I'm reading some of your responses and you seem so sweet and down to earth, I like you even more than I already did:) So my question is: Who was the biggest pain to work with on True Blood? Bwahahah.

There was nobody who was a pain in the Vampire world. I have no idea about the werewolves, or the shape shifters, or the fairies, or the humans. The Vampire world was perfect.

Hi Kristen, What kind of exercises and lifting do you do to stay fit?? And is it TRUE that Joe Manganiello is really just photoshopped and not really that muscular?

Joe Manganiello is 110% real. I've seen it in person, and it's incredibly impressive. He is large, and ripped. I am neither. I do mainly yoga and elliptical at home, while I'm watching Breaking Bad at the moment (and Buffy). And then I do cardiobarre class in LA.

I went to college in Kenosha, do you visit Racine often?

Have you ever been to the Mars Cheese Castle?

Haha! OF COURSE I've been to the Mars Cheese Castle! Every time I go to Wisconsin! I have been to Kenosha. I will be in Racine in a few weeks. And I'm really looking forward to it.

how does it feel to be having less sex than the other blonde?

Everyone has less sex than Sookie! I'm perfectly ok with it. I got to not have to work out quite so much.

What did you like most about working on True Blood?

I'm going to miss my friends. And the set. I'm going to miss the actual day of being with those people. That was mainly my experience of playing Pam - 70 hours a week for 7 years.

Did you base your portal of Pam's Southern sound off of any particular Southerner?

No, I didn't pattern anything on Pam on any particular person. It was more (and I didn't read the books until after the show was started) - Pam was created between me and the writers and the producers.

What was the most interesting role you have ever played ?

I think I'd have to say Pam? Because i got to play her for seven years, so I know her the best. There's some other roles that may have been as interesting, but I didn't get to spend very much time with them.

What has been the funniest moment during filming True Blood?

For everyone else (because they were laughing at me) was the sequence we shot in season 4 outside of Moon Goddess Emporium where the vampires had to be sucked into a force field and be fighting it and losing. And I was the first one to try it, and I've never seen my fellow actors laugh that hard in 7 years.

Seeing as how you're looking to help the African elephant and rhino what do you think of the whole Kendall Jones controversy? Link: http://www.people.com/article/kendall-jones-texas-cheerleader-african-hunting-photos-controversy

I've been exceedingly vocal about people killing for fun the last of our endangered species. I think it shows an astounding selfishness to end a creature's life just because it's rare and beautiful.

Do you think after all thats happened in true blood pam has changed. Or do you think it hasnt really effected her and she will just keep living and not even care?

I feel like - I'm not sure she's changed, maybe we just got to get to know her better. But this season, every year we've seen another side of her, but this season, we are seeing the core of her strength and vulnerability, which is centered around Eric. And learning more about their past together, and what's amazing for an actress is to get to play such strength and vulnerability at the same time - with the cherry on the sundae of her humor.

"Out for Africa" has been so inspirational and I cannot wait to finally see it this fall! Do you have any plans to film more documentaries in the future?

I don't have any plans right now - I am still working on editing Out of Africa, and I am really concerned and focused on being the best representative I can for the most magical place I've ever seen, where elephants live in Kenya.

Hey Kristin!

I'm loving the Pam and Eric episodes in True Blood, the flashbacks were amazing. What is it about that relationship that you love the most?

I think it's one of the greater relationships because there is complete unconditional love and trust. It's a combination of the best of human relationships. It's a father / daughter relationship, it was a romantic relationship that's transitioned, they love each other and have each other's back in a way that is rare and really special.

Love watching you on True Blood...you have a really fun character to play! Are you happy with whatever happens to Pam during this final season?

Yes. I have felt from the beginning in the best possible care and hands of these producers & writers & HBO. It's been absolutely my honor to be a part of this creative team.

Can you tell me why I should watch True Blood? I've seem some things about it, but it would be way more fun to hear it from you.

Haha that's so cute! Definitely watch True Blood if you like vampires. And I would recommend starting from the beginning, because it's really a love story between a human & a vampire. And you need to see it from the beginning. And there's lots and lots of sexy people on it.

[deleted]

I've had so many memorable scenes in 7 years, but the ones we just shot that are airing now, are still so clear in my mind and the scenes we saw last sunday where we found out (in flashbacks to the 80's and 90's) how Pam and Eric ended up in Louisiana and how Fangtasia began, those were a LOT of fun.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Vanilla. I found this ice cream that is very dangerous. It's called coconut bliss, and it's the greatest thing that has ever happened to or touched my tongue. It's coconut and vanilla, it's every flavor, I just discovered it and I think I've gained 5 pounds in the last month, it's heaven. But now I'm not in corsets, who cares?!

Hey Kristen! Ever since True Blood, I've been a huge fan :) The True Blood set seems like such a fun one to be on, and I'm sad that it's ending so soon :( but I was just wondering, what is the most memorable thing that has happened on the set of True Blood?

Right now, the most memorable thing in my mind was my last night, my last scene, my last moment, and they gave me such a beautiful lovely send-off and I have it on film, but I haven't looked at it yet because it was so emotional. But really really sweet.

You would make an excellent Emma Peele, like Diana Rigg on the Avengers, ever think about writing your own script for tv or movies?

Yes, I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Now that I am thinking about what role I would like to play next, it's inspired my hidden writer inside me. I've come up with a few ideas. So if i get the time and I'm any good at it, maybe we'll see them on-screen in a year or two.

Hi there Kristin.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this AMA on Reddit.

I’m a big fan and I have a few questions regarding your career.

I remember you doing Lois and Clark show the new Superman series at the time, and then you did a few Justice League episodes. Do you enjoy doing that kind of acting regarding super hero/comic book based shows.

That Seinfeld Episode how was the cast during your time shooting there was there difficulty due to the cast doing to many funny things or was it pretty much really professional and straight to the point.

As for True Blood that show has been going on for a long time can you tell us if you have a very close friendship(s) with the cast such as Alexander Skarsgård, and can you tell us which episode of true blood you really enjoyed the most the one that really touched you and always remember that day because it was just that special.

Last question, what is your biggest pet peeve while on set?

Thank you for your time.

Since I am a fan of the graphic novel (Watchmen being one of my favorites) and cartoons (Justice League being one of my favorites), it's incredibly rewarding in almost a childlike way to get to be on the "other side of the camera" on shows that i also love and admire. They actually feel sometimes MORE rewarding - like a true yardstick of accomplishment - because they were things that I, as a kid, watched. Or as an adult, read.

Being on Seinfeld was so wonderful in every aspect, and my favorite part about it was laughing with Jerry and Larry on the set. The atmosphere was so relaxed, they had all the notes of success (meaning they were relaxed, and having fun, and working short hours, and just basically enjoying themselves). And the concept of a girl with "man hands" just made us giggle. So we had a ball! And on top of it, every 5 or 10 years, I will run into Jerry somewhere, and I get to walk up to him and say "Hi, I'm Man Hands" and it's so odd and funny for me that for the rest of my life, that will probably happen. And he is so sweet and so cute.

I feel so close to this cast. I've been crying for months saying goodbye to them. And ESPECIALLY my vampire crowd, and especially Skarsgard. And this season, 7, the last one, is foremost in my mind. We had so many special scenes and special moments, and this year, even within each scene, there's something touching, something dramatic, and something funny. And that combination was just magical.

Being touched all day - it's hair, and makeup and wardrobes' job to make sure you look the same at the beginning of every take, and I suspect it's incredibly tedious for them to have to deal with actors, because we are basically just children, it's like herding cats for them. So it's challenging for them and us to have so much physical contact every 5 minutes for 14 hours, it's really intense, but I know that I got so lucky with the people that i worked with on TRUE BLOOD. Cindy my makeup person, and Sarah who had to keep me clothed and warm, they were ever-patient with me.

BTW The look you and Skasgard gave when they told you that you are the now proud owners of that 80s video store... Epic and priceless Me and the wife had an awesome laugh.

Thank you for answering my questions:D

Good luck.

That was a great moment, that made us laugh on the day, and we did many takes of that scene and different reactions, and I'm really pleased with the one they chose in the final cut. I laughed as well when I saw it.

Hi Kristin! Can you tell me what groups you work with to help elephants and rhinos and how we can help too ?Love you in Dancing at the Blue Iguana! Love you in True Blood! Maybe you can convince my mom into letting me to adopt a dog . Im 28 and still live with my parents :) thanks for doing the ama!

Aw! Yes. For elephants I've been working with the Sheldrick's, and the IFAW. And I would highly recommend adopting a dog. Definitely adopt, and don't shop. Maybe if you made a bargain, some sort of negotiation, your mom would let you get a dog at a rescue?

Thanks for the AMA Kristin! Big fan of True Blood!

Important question. You have been sentenced to death for a crime you did not commit, what would you choose as your final meal?

As a vampire, I would want my last meal to be Eva Green from Penny Dreadful because she is just so delicious. And if I were a human, probably way too much of that coconut bliss ice cream.

Hi Kristin! I absolutely think you're amazing, not only are you a gorgeous actress but you try to do stuff for good aswell - my question is why elephants? I agree they are beautiful but there are so many things that need help, how did you end up being such an advocate for elephants in particular? Also on a scale of 1 - 10 how creepy would it be if I sent you a cross stitch Pam? Xxxx

I couldn't agree with you more, and I wish I could clone myself - so many species are in trouble. Lions, I think there are less than 5,000. Rhinos are less than 1,000. There are many human causes too. I ended up focusing on elephants because I met a Kenyan who works with International Fund for Animal Welfare, and my husband's family are from Kenya, and that's why we wanted to work on elephants at this point. But there are so many causes I wish I could focus on.

i have a few questions!

1) have you ever felt pressured by the hollywood standards of beauty? (especially in relation to aging and how best to maintain your appearance?)

2) what is your most favorite role that you've played to date?

3) can you set me up with alexander skarsgard? pleeeease????

1) I do feel pressure. I don't think that the men do as much. I am not sure where my career will go in my 40's now, and then someday in my 50's and 60's. But I like that I've actually always been a character actress, and have played such a variety of interesting roles that I think I'll be allowed to age & play the roles that fit the decade I'm in.

2) I think I answered this, but Pam is definitely the character I am still attached to.

3) Sure! I might have to check with him first though.

Hi Kristin,

1. If you could play any other character on True Blood who would it be and why?

2. Please ease my heart and reassure me that Eric and Pam will ride off into the sunset! Their friendship is so great.

Thanks

1) I think I would want to be Ryan Kwanten playing Jason. 2) I wish I could reassure you, but you know with True Blood - no spoilers allowed! And also you wouldn't really want to know. And also - as we've seen in the past, conflict makes great viewing.

Hey Kristin, thanks for taking the time to answer our questions! I loved the story of how you met your husband, you two are a gorgeous pair and his music is beautiful. I wanted to know if he is planning on taking another album out?

He just put out an album recently, and it's called "Windchimes and Butterflies" and it's available on Amazon. There's a song he wrote for me on it. And it's really amazing, I think he is a brilliant songwriter.

Hey Kristin! Thanks for doing this :) Curious Paric shippers would LOVE to know what your favorite Pam and Eric scene is? XOXOXO

One of my favorite scenes is coming up THIS sunday! And this year, there's many emotional, poignant, and yet funny moments. And I think we've seen a few of those already, and they were just incredible to play and it was really enjoyable to see them on screen. I'm watching them along with you.

Whisky?

I prefer Cosmopolitans, but great!

Now that True Blood is coming to a close do you have any other acting projects lined up?

Ps. Vampire Pam is my favorite character on True Blood even more so than Eric ;) <33 You're amazing!

Thank you! I am taking hopefully the next few months to get my documentary finished, and then am going to look at what the next acting role will be. But I've been working on this documentary for 2 years, so that's my main focus now.

What was the character u liked to play the most in ur career?

What s the best advice u ve ever been given in life? By whom?

Any pet? Any tattoo?

Do u have phobias?

Do you speak french?

For the episod where u were looking for eric, did u really go to morocco or it was an american shooting there?

Thanks

I would have to say my acting coach, his name was Milton Katselas. And he told us basically to just keep showing up. Keep trying. To just get off the mat, dust yourself off and get back in the ring. and that's advice i have passed on to many people, because acting is an endurance game.

I have two rescued dogs, two rescued cats, and one tattoo, soon to have more.

I'm not entirely thrilled with small spaces.

Je ne parle pas français is the only thing I know how to say in french.

I have shot the entirety of seven seasons of True Blood in Los Angeles. That was shot in a hotel in Downtown LA, the Hotel Figueroa. I never saw it before it was set dressed, but everybody told me it just looked like Morocco. It's incredible, I never left LA.

Kristin, I'm a huge fan!

Not only do you make an amazing vampire, but you seem to be an amazing person too - with using your celebrity status to fight for those who do not have a voice, the animals. Its truly wonderful!

1.). I loved the story you told about your father and the John Wayne home in Celebrity Ghost Stories. You seem to be quite sensitive (like myself actually). Did you feel a presence before you bought the home, or as soon as you felt your father? Was that the first time you felt a presence in your life?

2.). Where do you pull your inspiration for Pam? You play her perfectly! Especially in Season 7, Episode 4 ("Death is not the End"). In the video store, Pam says one simple word to Ginger, "Sure.". In my opinion, and it may be just me, but how you said those words encompasses what a vampire truly is...seductive to its prey, and yet, a true killer.

3.). Are you a fan of the vampire stories, and if so, what style do you like most? I personally like Bram Stokers & Anne Rice versions. Which is similar to True Blood (TV series), just True Blood has more comedic writing and sass.

4.). Have you ever "adopted" an endangered species for support like a whale or tiger? If so, which one? I am 34yo, and I adopted an orca whale when I was 12yo it was so cool.

I hope you see this; I have my 5yo patiently waiting for me to play Minecraft on one side, and my 8mo sitting on my lap. Phew! True Blood is my "mommy time" show when the kids go to bed...so I'm super excited for this AMA. :D

1) It was the first time I felt his presence. And I had wanted to feel his presence before then, and since, and I bought this house before that, but the circumstances of how I ended up buying this house when I wasn't looking for a house, through a friend of a friend, really in hindsight makes me feel like there were too many coincidences for there to not have been something mysterious and possibly magical happening. I ended up in this house really almost through no effort of my own, and so it's just one of those things that worked out so easily and so perfectly. And of course I'd like to think my dad had a hand in it.

2) Yup. That's an amazing scene. And my inspiration starts with the writing, it starts with the dialogue that I am going to say. That's the beginning of where the actors start to take over, and then on the day, I'm also inspired by the people that I'm in the scene with. The nice thing about getting to play a character for 7 years is you get to build a foundation and expand on it. You build a 3 dimensional character over many years. And by season 7, in just one line or word, you can fill it with the essence of the character.

3) I really love Bram Stoker, that is my favorite. I think it's a classic. It's dangerous. It's ultimately a love story, an immortal, timeless love story. For all those romantic reasons, and purist reasons, it's my favorite.

4) I have adopted SO many baby orphaned elephants from the Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust (http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org). I have adopted probably 15 myself, and I give them as gifts for birthdays, Christmas, births, it's one of my favorite things, because I've actually been there. It's the most remarkable experience of your life, to see what these people are doing. It's incredible.

I'm glad the last season is airing while the kids still have an early bedtime!! Once they're teenagers, you'd have to watch the show with them, and that would be awkward. All the best to you, I'm sure you are getting about as little sleep as I got while I was shooting the show.

Do you date younger men, if so, do you visit south florida often? :)

I am married to a South african, and we went to Florida and loved it! But for the moment, I'm all tied up. Not literally.