How was your first show?

It was extremely fun. I had extra butterflies today, but was more excited than nervous.

What was most stressful?

Getting in everything I needed to say before we went to cut.

What's it like to be on live TV?

Live TV is fun. It keeps you alert and on your toes. It forces you to be present and in the moment. 

It's interesting, because I'm so used to having an audience. So to say something funny with Chica and not hear anyone laugh is a little weird. I have to imagine the joy and laughter in my mind.

When you first auditioned for this show, what were you most excited about?

I was in Chicago at that time, and I was doing a lot of stuff with kids. I was performing for kids, I was singing for kids, I was teaching kids, and I thought, "This sounds like it could be a really good fit for me."

How did you audition?

I had to do a 3-minute bit, essentially the opening of the Sunny Side Up show. I said, "Hey, I'm Carly and this is what the weather is like." Then I sang the birthday song, read a birthday card and made up a theme of the day. I sang the Birthday Song on the guitar -- and now I get to play the ukulele on the show!

How did you react when you got the job?

I absolutely flipped out. I had to walk around the block, and then I came back in and ate a bunch of candy, and then took another walk… Then I cried.

Did you have to take special language classes to understand Chica?

Ha! Ha! I spent a lot of time with Chica… just chatting about life and chatting about the world. Through that I was able to understand her better and better. If you listen, Chica has a lot to say, and she says it pretty clearly.

What do you have to do before going on live TV?

For me the biggest preparation is my hair. I have to get here very early and do stuff to my curly hair. Then I think about all the things we want to do on the show. I think about all the episodes that are airing. I try to get myself into a space of being ready to have a lot of fun. I imagine Sproutlets just hanging out at home, and I get ready to share the morning with them.

Did you get to choose your wardrobe?

They asked me about my style and the colors that I wear. I wear a lot of primary colors, I wear skinny jeans and I wear glasses. So we brought those in.

My personal glasses are very similar to these in size, but are tortoise shell. We got these fun blue ones for the show.

What is your favorite part of The Sunny Side Up Show?

Playing with Chica is just so much fun. I love it when we can bounce back and forth and make jokes and have a good time.  And I love singing the birthday song and doing the Barnyard Boogie -- anything that involves music and dancing.

Chica is such a great mirror. She is fun and silly. She is a jokester and trickster in a way that a lot of kids are. I think it's fun for kids to see themselves in Chica and see a friend in Chica.

On the show this week, the theme is summer. What do you like to do in the summer?

 I love to go the Jersey shore and hang out with family. I also love riding my bike around town and hearing live music.

When you were a Sproutlet, what was your…

…favorite thing to do?

I am the oldest of seven kids -- six girls and a boy. From a very young age I was always making my brother and sisters participate in the plays that I directed. I would put on plays for the family all the time. 

…favorite TV show?

I know I watched a lot of Sesame Street. Oh, and I loved Square One. I loved math. I was such a nerdy a little Sproutlet.  I also watched a lot of Barney. I really thought that Barney was going to come to life and hang out with me.

…favorite color?

I liked the color purple. Now my favorite color is yellow. This yellow watch is my actual watch.

…favorite place?

Anywhere there were books.  I loved to read. My mom used to say to guests, "Do not make eye contact with her or you will have to read that book to her four times."

….favorite food?

Because I am allergic to dairy and peanuts, my mom would always make me my own special cupcake when I was going to birthday parties. It was such a scene. I would show up with this Tupperware and all the non-dairy icing would be stuck to the lid.

In the show, we talked about how I love freeze pops. And that's true. I ate them all the time, because of my allergies. My siblings would run out to the ice cream man, and I would go to the freezer and take out my paper cups full of Gatorade.