THE FREDDIE COLEMAN SHOW (ESPN RADIO) (TRANSCRIPT OF MARG’S INTERVIEW)
January 11, 2014
Freddie: Thanks for joining The Freddie Coleman Show on ESPN Radio and the ESPN Radio app. It’s going to be a fun weekend in the National Football League where we have an Elite 8 of sorts. And you won’t believe that somebody who was born in Nebraska, is a big television star, is a Carolina Panthers fan. I’m talking about Marg Helgenberger, who played Catherine Willows on CSI on CBS for 13 seasons. And she joins us on ESPN Radio.
Freddie: How does a young lady who was born in Nebraska become a Carolina Panthers fan?
Marg: Well, it was in 1994, which is the first year that they became a franchise team. I was shooting a film in Wilmington, North Carolina. My son was 4 at the time, and we decided to root for this team — because I’m from Nebraska and his dad is from New Jersey and, you know, we live in California, so we thought this would be…my son love the mascot, the Panther mascot, the colors, etc., etc., and we’ve been — we’ve stuck to our, you know, our pact all these years — to that pact of rooting for them.
Freddie: Normally people that grow up in Nebraska are Nebraska fans and that’s it. Maybe a Denver Broncos fan because that’s the closest NFL team to the great state of Nebraska. So when people found out that you’re a Carolina Panthers fans, from your state, do you catch any flack from Cornhusker fans about that?
Marg: Actually, no. I mean, I think it’s…I think if Nebraska had a pro team, they would be backed…they’d get behind that team wholeheartedly. It’s just that that’s the only team that there is to root for, basically, you know. (Freddie laughs). In fact, I remember, for a while, they had a USFL team there and I guess…they were always sold out. The games were sold out, but that’s no longer happening there.
Freddie: One of the things about this Carolina Panthers team this year is that a lot of people though they could be good, but nobody saw a 1-3 start turning into a 12-4 season. I don’t know how much you’ve had a chance, Marg, to watch this football team, but what has been so special about the Panthers getting to this point right now…playing the 49ers this weekend?
Marg: Well, you know, I think they just…they’ve…I think they’ve had a good team. Last year they had a good team; they just didn’t really exhibit it much. (Marg laughs). And this season, in the early part of the season, the same was true. And last year they had some heartbreaking losses and they did at the beginning of this season as well. And, you know, I, obviously Cam Newton…I am a fan of Cam Newton’s. Steve Smith, I’ve been a fan of Steve Smith’s. I got an opportunity to meet him one time when we went down to see them play in New Orleans. And coach John Fox was the coach then and, you know, obviously he’s had quite a success in Denver. And I got an opportunity to meet Jerry Richardson and his wife, Rosalind. And they were absolutely lovely to us and invited us to games. I haven’t been in touch more recently because I’ve just been…my husband and I split up, you know, although we’re still friends. It’s, you know, a little different situation. But I plan on rooting for them this Sunday, you bet.
Freddie: Yeah. They’ll take on the San Fransisco 49ers this Sunday, 1:00 Eastern time. Marg Helgenberger, one of the more iconic actresses in the last 15 years on television. She played on CSI, and she has a new series coming out called Intelligence. Catch that Mondays on CBS, 10:00 Eastern time. Joining me on the Freddie Coleman Show.
Freddie: I’m going to leave football for a second because I saw this about you and I can’t believe I read it, because I think this can apply to men more than women. But, you said you are a passionate, recreational golfer. What kind of golfer…
Marg: That must have been a few years ago when I gave that interview (Freddie laughs) because I haven’t played golf in…I don’t even know when. I mean recreational mostly meaning nine holes at the end of the day, when it’s just kind of fun and casual. And also recreational in that, well, the charity events, those scramble tournaments, best balls. That’s always great because nobody’s playing, you know, nobody’s egos at stake. And it’s all for a good cause. And I mean, I love…the best part about golf obviously is being outdoors.
Freddie: Yes.
Marg: And wherever you are in the world, you know, it’s, whatever the typography, the wildlife it’s so…You know that’s what fascinates me the most (Freddie and Marg laugh) more than the game. Even though I have great respect for the game.
Freddie: On a scale of one to ten, what kind of a passionate football fan are you?
Marg: I’m ten. I’m up there. I’m actually in a pool at work. At CSI I was in a pool. I won it once, I tied for first one time. I got second place another time. And that was along with 75 other people. This season on Intelligence, it was a weekly pool. And I won it twice and I think I tied another time. So, you know, I think originally the guys…they don’t think I know what I’m talking about. They think I’m just like making…whatever…I’m just throwing darts.
Freddie: Right, right.
Marg: But…and I honestly don’t really know all the teams that well. There’s certain teams I know quite a bit about and certain teams I love besides the Panthers. I do root for other teams. But I don’t know…I think growing up in Nebraska and it’s just a part of your being a Nebraskan. And, you know, rooting for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Freddie: How tough was it for you to leave CSI? After being such an integral part of that shows on CBS for thirteen seasons. And then you’re starring in a new project called Intelligence, where in essence, Marg, you’re starting over.
Marg: Well, the hardest part, of course, was leaving everyone. Saying goodbye to the cast and the crew and the writers and everybody involved with that show. Because I, we had become such a close knit family and I adored everybody. That was, by fa,r the hardest part. I spent, I don’t know how many evenings and days just crying over it. But I don’t regret my decision. I kind of needed to do…make a creative switch. And luckily Intelligence came along last pilot season. And I loved the script, loved the character. I think that, well, it did very well. It premiered last Tuesday and it did very very well. So I think…I think it’s gonna continue to do well. Because, you know, it’s got a good word of mouth and it’s a good show. It’s a fun, entertaining, action packed espionage thriller. I play a very strong competent woman. I’m the leader of this organization and I’m having a good time.
Freddie: You should because I had a chance to watch it last week and I can’t wait to watch it each and every Monday night, because of the left turns on that show. The first episode were fantastic. So I can’t wait to see the series as it develops. Intelligence on Monday nights on CBS.
Marg: Oh, thank you.
Freddie: Hey, I’m just reporting, Marg Helgenberger. I’m just reporting. Let’s put it that way.
Freddie: Before I let you go, give me a prediction. Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers. How will your Panthers get to the NFC championship game?
Marg: Solid playing. They’ve got that great defense. Cam Newton, that smile alone (Freddie laughs) will take them to the next game.
Freddie: Marg, it was an absolute pleasure. I love your work on CSI, also in the movies. I can’t wait to see how much better your show Intelligence is going to be. Thanks for giving me time on the Freddie Coleman Show on ESPN Radio.
Marg: It’s my pleasure, Thank you, Freddie. Go Panthers!