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Andrea Evans Chats On Her Latest Project Hidden Gems, OLTL, Erika Slezak, & Her Daytime Roles!
She’s synonymous with daytime drama for her memorable roles as: Tina Lord on One Life to Live, Tawny Moore on The Bold and the Beautiful, Patty Williams on The Young and the Restless, and Rebecca Hotchkiss Crane on Passions. While soap fans dearly miss seeing Andrea Evans every day on their screens, the talented and clever actress has been busy with films, and her own projects.
In her latest entertainment adventure, Hidden Gems, Andrea, along with her producing partner Minh Collins, have created a new concept for a “unique” travel show, which has comedic actress Tara Erickson along for the ride with Evans. These two very disparate women come together and check out some of the more intriguing, fabulous, and little-known places in America, and seem to get themselves in a whole heap of trouble while doing it! As Andrea details, think of the 1991 motion picture classic Thelma and Louise as a sort of prototype for Hidden Gems.
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Evans to find out details about the Hidden Gems Indiegogo campaign, and how fans can participate in the series fundraising efforts. Plus, this being the 48th anniversary week of the beloved One Life to Live, Andrea discusses some of her most famous scenes, reflecting on her time there, and working alongside daytime legend Erika Slezak (Viki), and what she has thought of Stacy Haiduk’s turn in her former role as Genoa City’s Patty Williams. In addition, you will learn what soap opera Evans could see herself on in the future. So, let’s hit the road with Andrea, and find out what she had to say about it all.
So watching the Indiegogo teaser for Hidden Gems, it seems like a reality show, crossed with some scripted elements, and crossed with travel. How would you explain the concept?
ANDREA: It’s kind of a weird hybrid. I worked with this director on a film and we hit it off so well that we started our own production company, and optioned a couple of films, and came up with this show idea, because I love to travel, and he loves to travel. We found that we both had gone to the same places that nobody ever heard of, and had great times. So, that is how the Hidden Gems idea was born. However, when we started shooting it we hired Tara to come with us. She was so fun and wild. Then strange things started to happen on the shoots. We then kind of altered what we were doing from a simple travel show to a “Thelma and Louise” hit the road. I think fans will see me in a different way than they have before, which is me out on the road having fun, and being a little wild and crazy with Minh and Tara. They will catch me reacting to things, and it’s not entirely scripted. You won’t just hear, and I don’t want to hear, that the “Ritz Carlton is a beautiful hotel.” (Laughs)
When watching the teaser, I thought it was a very fun amped-up version of “Andrea Evans” you were playing. Is that how you view it?
ANDREA: Well, (laughs) it’s not the glamour puss that people are use to seeing me play, but I love to travel, and I have a little rebellious side. And as I say in the clip on the teaser, “I’m going rogue a little bit.” In my off-soap career, I like to have fun, and do projects that interest me. This was a riot to shoot. The whole reason we are on Indiegogo is that we have some interest and a showrunner. If you look at travel shows there is no “Thelma and Louise” about two women traveling. One way to protect ourselves, and our idea, and our concept, is to shoot a few episodes ourselves first, which is why we are doing the Indiegogo campaign.
How did you find your on-screen sidekick, Tara Erickson?
ANDREA: We had auditions, and talked with people. When I met her we instantly clicked. I thought she was hysterically funny. She is very different from me, so we wanted that. We wanted someone quirky and still attractive, and to have someone else in a bathing suit, because God knows, I hung up my bikini a while ago! (Laughs) I wore my bikini and my underwear on TV enough! (Laughs) As for the reference to “Thelma and Louise”, I am more the Susan Sarandon to her Geena Davis. But, at the same time in the teaser, I don’t tell my husband where I’m going! Tara is more of a comedic actress, and I am known, whether I am funny or not, as a soap actress.
How much funding do you hope to raise through the Indiegogo campaign?
ANDREA: It’s a flexible goal, but we need about $4-$5,000 per episode just to complete them. We try to put perks in there that we think those who contribute, and my fans will be interested in, and would like. One of the biggest perks is that they could be on the show, and part of one of the road trips.
Where would you like to shoot and travel to, if you make more episodes?
ANDREA: We have been researching travel places to go that are luxurious, fun, and a bit weird, and places people don’t even know about. For instance: we have been researching route 66, and in Nevada there are all types of “alien” things that people don’t even know about. There are crazy mansions in Northern California with doors, stairs, and rooms that were built, because the “spirits” told people to do that to protect themselves! We are going to shoot right now in the U.S., but we would love to eventually shoot out of the country, because there are so many unique and unknown places around the world.
One Life to Live celebrates its 48th anniversary this Friday on July 15th. It premiered on that date back in 1968. I was thinking about you, and if it was still around, or was revitalized again, it would be great if Tina could come back and drop right back in the story!
ANDREA: Oh, absolutely! One Life to Live is one of the great loves of my life. I miss it dearly. I think it’s a crime they took it off the air. Happy 48th to One Life! I know it still lives in a lot of people’s hearts.
Recently, I came across a clip from One Life, which was the set-up of the Marco Dane (the late Gerald Anthony) murder! Looking back on it, it was still one of the best stories ever plotted, and there was you and Erika Slezak in the middle of it. Wasn’t Tina being framed by Marco via a porn picture? (Laughs)
ANDREA: What happened was Marco Dane was putting innocent 16-year-old Tina’s face on naked women and making porn! Viki found out about it.
Do you ever talk to, or stay in touch with, Erika Slezak?
ANDREA: Not that I talk with her a lot. However, I was very touched when my mother passed about a year and half ago. Erika really worked hard to locate me through people and to find me, and it was so nice to hear from her. She was sending me her love and condolences. Erika knew my mother, because when I started on One Life I was so young. She got to know my mother very well, and it was so sweet of her to do that. Erika is a lovely woman. It’s a shame she is not on TV. She is so talented, and wonderful. So much about what I learned in this industry I learned from her. She should be working and current. I am just sorry that no one else has realized that and put her back on TV, because she should be there.
Every time I have been a segment producer for the Daytime Emmys, and they are looking to do a clip package from classic moments from the soap, one would always come across footage of Tina going over the Igazu Falls in Argentina! It’s still iconic years and years later. Where do all of those scenes sit with you when you reflect back on your time on One Life to Live?
ANDREA: I started on the show so young, and I have to be honest, I was not even aware of the show before I started appearing on it. But One Life to Live became such a huge part of my life and my career. It’s funny, you see people who become very indentified with a character, and that character is indelibly created in people’s minds. Some people resent it, and some people love it. I personally love it. I take great pride in it, and I take great pride that my audience, whom I love, still adores it. To be iconic in anyway in this industry is a blessing, and a huge, huge compliment.
What do you think of what happened to your former Y&R character Patty Williams since you have been gone from that role? She is “crazy Patty” now, as played by Stacy Haiduk!
ANDREA: Not only was there a change in the character, but she grew quite tall! (Laughs) Patty went crazy! I remember I went back to Y&R as Tawny from B&B one day, which was really strange. And Stacy was on the same day, so it was kind of weird, but we did not share scenes together. Tawny was looking for Amber before she returned to The Bold and the Beautiful. Originally, I was not available to reprise Patty, because I was working, but I think Stacy did a really, really good job, and the character had gone an entirely different way.
Would you go back to doing a soap if a part came up?
ANDREA: It’s not like I have been away from the soaps for too long, but yes, absolutely. They are always a part of my life. I love them! I would be more than happy to return to The Bold and the Beautiful, or do one of the two shows I have not appeared on yet: General Hospital, or Days of our Lives. I love the medium, and I totally support it. Yes, I love doing other things, and have been building up my film portfolio, but daytime is always a part of my life.
If they could write a really good part for you on Days of our Lives, I could see you shaking things up in Salem. What do you think?
ANDREA: You know the truth is: Days of our Lives is a soap I have always wanted to do, because I think I would fit in it really well. I also have to say I am very protective of my career, and my brand, and my fans. And for me to come back to do something, it doesn’t have to be a role that goes on forever, it could be a short run role that has a certain amount of pop to it. I would choose a role that is important, and that has to be right.
Tawny Moore was great trailer trash on B&B! Would you say that she was one of your favorite roles of your career, as well?
ANDREA: I loved Tawny, and I had been assured she would be coming back to the canvas at some point. Adrienne Frantz (Amber) and I have remained very close.
To sum it up, for us to see more antics from Andrea Evans, what are your hopes for your project, Hidden Gems?
ANDREA: I hope people will love, and support it, and hopefully be on it!
Watch Andrea’s Indiegogo campaign video for Hidden Gems below. Then let us know what you think of the concept? Would it be fun to travel with Andrea and her crew during filming? What did you think about her sentiments on One Life to Live, playing Tina Lord, and Erika Slezak? Would you love to see her return to daytime on Days of our Lives, GH, or back as B&B’s Tawny? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
I’m still heartbroken over not getting my daily fix of One Life To Live! It’s a damn shame the idiots over at ABC took off one of the Best Shows to ever grace its network! It’s also a shame that Prospect Park’s failed attempt to bring it back happened! I watched all 40 some Episodes of the Reboot from Prospect Park and loved every minute of it! I thought they were doing a great job. Was it everything it was on ABC? No! Of course not! But it was pretty damn good! There’s no Actress better than Erika Slezak Period! Through Daytime or Primetime! She should be gracing our television’s on a daily basis! Robin Strasser is also another amazing actress we should still be seeing! I miss Dorian & Viki so much! It would also be great to see Andrea Evans on our television screens again! There’s so many Extremely Talented Stars we don’t get to see anymore! And that’s really ashame! Happy Anniversary One Life To Live! I still hope we get to see you again one day!
So true. Erika and Robin are awesome actresses along with so many of OLTL’s actors. They should be on daytime.
Kyle,
You took the words straight from my heart. I ache for our beloved One Life to Live. I am fortunate enough, read that old enough, to have seen the very first episode of One Life to Live on July 15, 1968 and instantly fell in love with it. All the wonderful characters and actors who have come and gone throughout the years were such a joy to watch. And I agree with you totally. Erika Slezak and Robin Strasser should be gracing out television screens this very minute. And Andrea Evans made Tina Clayton Lord Roberts unforgettable. They are not the only ones. I’ve always said One Life to Live has the strongest cast of any show on television. Even very young and/ or inexperienced actors who are not very strong grow and learn from working with the best of the very best.
Like you, I watched every episode of the Prospect Park series and loved every second of them. I was truly look forward to seeing what would happen next. Some fans have hard feeling about Prospect Park. I do not. At least they tired to keep bringing us the very best daytime drama there ever was. I will always be grateful to them for that.
I will never forgive the alphabet network/mouse company for taking our beloved One Life to Live from us.
Happy Anniversary One Life to Live!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are NOT forgotten and I too still hope to see you again someday.
Very nice interview with a consummate pro. I studied with a top soap Casting Director back in the day, and she bragged that Andrea Evans had a nearly photographic memory! And how sweet of Ms. Evans to mention Erika Slezak…two lovely women. Andrea’s new travel show sounds truly delightful, I hope a cable network picks it up.
I want her on GH….
I got into One Life right before they announced it was being cancelled and it was great TV for it’s last year on ABC. I really enjoyed Andrea making a brief return and thought it was a multi layered character.
I’ve been watching old OLTL episodes and am currently in mid-July 2008. Andrea’s Tina is back in a lackluster and disappointing storyline (IMO) but it sure is great seeing Andrea in the role again. Tina was always a favorite character of mine and I will always be thankful to Andrea for this and wish her well.
THIS actress was THE Patty Williams!
You should have asked her about her time on Passions. Her Rebecca character was truly memorable.
Thank you for an interesting and up to date interview with one my favorite actresses, Andrea Evans. Andrea is always a class act; I would love to see her on soaps again! Looking forward to checking out Hidden Gems!
I loved her on Passions, she and Liza Huber were delicious as mother and daughter villains. They were the best characters next to Tabitha and Timmy.
Love this woman. She always gives 100 per cent no matter what.
Breaking News
Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R
On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.
During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.
At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.
If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.
Breaking News
(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!
After exciting morning for your favorite daytime stars when they were revealed to be nominees for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards comes tonight 10th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special.
Beginning at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, several of the nominees will talk with Michael Fairman on their reactions to the news they have been nominated for a Daytime Emmy, share what scenes they submitted that landed in the top five or six in their respective performer acting categories and much more.
Scheduled to appear are: Days of our Lives nominees, Tamara Braun (Ava), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Linsey Godfrey (Sarah), The Young and the Restless nominees: Allison Lanier (Summer), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Courtney Hope (Sally), Bryton James (Devon), The Bold and the Beautiful’s John McCook (Eric), General Hospital nominees, Finola Hughes (Anna) and Alley Mills (Heather), and The Bay’s Mike Manning (Caleb).
The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th and emanating, once again this year from the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
For a full list of this year’s nominations click here.
Now, watch below as the stars chat it up as we celebrate their Daytime Emmy Nominations. If you have a potential question you might want posed to any of our guests, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask it on air.
Breaking News
51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.
The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.
In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.
Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old. In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.
Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.
In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”
Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.
The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.
The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.
Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Neighbours
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives
Finola Hughes, General Hospital
Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful
Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful
Michelle Stafford, The Young and the Restless
Cynthia Watros, General Hospital
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful
Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives
John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS
Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful
Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives
Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless
Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless
Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR
Robert Gossett, General Hospital
Bryton James, The Young and the Restless
Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives
A Martinez, The Bay
Mike Manning, The Bay
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless
Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful
Alley Mills, General Hospital
Guy Pearce, Neighbours
Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives
OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES
The Bay
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION
General Hospital
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of our Lives
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade
The Kelly Clarkson Show
OUTSTANDING CASTING
African Queens: Njinga
Days of our Lives
General Hospital
Start Up
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
General Hospital
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING
African Queens: Njinga
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri
OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP
African Queens: Njinga
The Drew Barrymore Show
Sherri
The View
The Young and the Restless
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG
“Shine” General Hospital
“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected
“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES
The Jennifer Hudson Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall
Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts
The View
OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Family Dinner
Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays
Valerie’s Home Cooking
What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel
OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM
Hot Bench
Judy Justice
Justice For The People with Judge Milian
The People’s Court
We The People with Judge Lauren Lake
DAYTIME TALK SERIES HOST
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark
Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST
Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee
Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking
Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia
Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks
Sophia Roe, Counter Space
Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork
OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY
Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence
Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight
Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition
Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court
Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice
What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.
Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees.
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