Interviews
The Sharon Case Interview – The Young and the Restless
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Oh, what a tangled web we weave Sharon Newman, and look where it has gotten you this week on The Young and the Restless … in jail! Fans of the number-one soap have witnessed a change in the character of the beloved heroine, Sharon Newman, over recent months! She has turned into an over-the-top vengeful woman tired of being kicked around by the Newman clan. So what’s a gal to do? Well, she decided to fight back and try to claim the family biz! Only Sharon doesn’t execute that too well, and it seems like all of her plans go up in smoke!
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) to get her take on the direction the last Y&R writing regime took her character, and where the new regime plans to take her. Plus, are Nick and Sharon still the end game? Will Shick fans be jumping over the moon soon? Or, is another man going to enter or re-enter Sharon’s orbit? Having just been a key component to Y&R’s 10,000th episode milestone, Case looks at the storyline, and all of Sharon’s machinations in it, where once again, everyone believed Victor Newman was “dead” … but in true Y&R fashion, he was indeed alive! And speaking of Ole Vic, Sharon Case expresses her thoughts on the attempt at the Shicktor pairing that clearly went south in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere … and that is putting it mildly.
And while much can be said, and all ready has, about the recent Twitter controversy involving Case and her co-star, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), Sharon points out the good side of the social media platform that enables her to reach out and talk to fans worldwide, and more importantly, to get to know them. And, with so many changes now behind-the-scenes of Y&R, including the casting of her on-screen son with yet another actor, and the show getting a huge push from the network and Sony, Sharon reveals that she believes the future is brighter, now more than ever, for the residents of Genoa City.
MICHAEL:
What do you think about where they have taken your character of Sharon? She is so off the rails and at times such a bitch. I call this whole thing the “Sharon debacle!” (Laughs) Or better put, perhaps a character assassination? But in a way, you could justify her recent behavior and say Sharon deserves to try to get payback from the Newmans for how they have all mistreated her over the years!
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I just laughed, and I love it! There were a couple of scenes I shot with Joshua Morrow (Nick) that were in the boardroom. He said, “Sharon, when I read these scenes, I know you, and I know your sense of comedy. I couldn’t wait to watch you do these scenes, because I know you are going to be so funny.” And then when we were shooting the recent funeral, Joshua said, “Oh, my Gosh! This is going to be one of the best and funniest scenes ever shot in the history of The Young and the Restless.” So I said to Joshua, “You know how we always joke that we would like to do the fun, different, or comedic version of The Young and the Restless? Well, this is it! This is the dialog that we have always wished our characters could say, or thought would be funny if our characters would get to say. Now I am actually getting to do that, because this is the direction they have taken my character.” Joshua then goes, “I know!” We think it’s fun and different. I like playing Sharon that way. The writers that we have right now have a storyline coming up that they are going to explain Sharon’s behavior, so all will work out fine. They have a good plan. But for years, I have wanted to play this version of Sharon, and even more so, and more than that! (Laughs)
MICHAEL:
It seems like the culmination of all the crap the Newmans have put her through, but Sharon is clearly so out of control!
SHARON:
She is out of control! Yes, you could explain that as her motives, that the Newman’s have done a lot of bad things to her, and she is getting them back. And she is looking, in whatever way, to get her power back, and she has it justified in her mind. The result is the dialog is fun, and the things she is doing are fun and out of the box, and I really like it.
MICHAEL:
What did you think when they had written, Sharon “cremates” Victor’s body?
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
(Laughs) When she realized the body in the morgue was not Victor’s she says to herself out loud, “Oh well! Victor must have planned this and faked his own death. And for some reason he wants people to think he is dead!” So she goes along with it and thinks, “Well, I better cremate this body so nobody finds out that is not Victor.” So she thinks this is Victor’s plan! She initially thought when she was going to the morgue that Victor was dead. Then, when she looked at the body and realized Victor wasn’t dead, she said to herself, “Oh, my gosh. You faked your own death! Why do you want people to think you’re dead? I don’t know why you do, but whatever reason I will go along with it.” And then she goes down the aisle to get married to Tucker, but for her, she is playing that Victor is dead and going along with his story. She can’t tell Tucker the truth. So when he says, “Marry me,” Sharon first thinks she can’t do that. But then she rethinks it, and comes up with: if Tucker’s name is connected to hers they could really do well by the stock price and stabilize Newman, because when the word gets out that Victor is dead, it’s going to destabilize Newman even more. So she thinks if she marries Tucker that can fix things until it all unravels. Sharon did not know how it was all going to unravel, because she did not know what Victor’s ultimate plan was.
MICHAEL:
New Y&R head writer, Josh Griffith, in a recent interview with TV Guide, previewed that they have a plan to take Sharon Newman all the way down to a complete nervous breakdown … but that it will also reset the character, and perhaps, have her come back from the brink.
SHARON:
Yeah! She has had breakdowns many times, but there is more coming. Hopefully this will reset her, but we shall see! (Laughs) I have not read it all yet in the scripts.
MICHAEL:
Courtesy/CBS
You and Joshua Morrow are now playing a different beat of your long-suffering star-crossed lover’s story! Sharon and Nick are currently hating each other on the show!
SHARON:
Yeah, right now they are hating each other, but when they hate each other, it’s really out of love, because I think they love each other.
MICHAEL:
Do you think there is a possibility that Shick will get back together in the end!
SHARON:
Oh, absolutely! They are a super couple! Of course, they will end up together in the end!
MICHAEL:
But there is a tease out there that there could be a man, or a brand new man, that will help Sharon out of this dark hole she has dug herself into.
SHARON:
You think there is a brand new man?
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Well, how is she going to get healed? It always seems some “Knight in Shining Armor” rescues the beautiful damsel in distress, for a period of time, and then that goes belly up! (Laughs)
SHARON:
Well, we shall see. You know the writers have told me that we are not playing the storyline that men help Sharon, or that Sharon needs men. I am glad. I did not like that. I thought it was stupid, and the audience never liked it. I don’t know why every writing regime that has come along felt the need to play that Sharon needs to be weak and she needed to depend on a man, because that never went over well with the audience! So why do we keep writing that? It was ridiculous! I was constantly playing against it and crossing out lines here and there in the script to take that element out of it. It’s not entertaining to watch someone like that, and the writers now have told me we are getting away from that.
MICHAEL:
What are your thoughts on the regime change over at Y&R? Having former GH Emmy-winning EP, Jill Farren Phelps at the helm, and Josh Griffith coming back in as head scribe?
SHARON:
I think that we have a really good formula going on right now with the plans that Sony and CBS have, along with our new team. They have a formula and a plan in place to make The Young and the Restless successful in its ratings, and to continue to make it have a very long run for at least the next ten years, or God knows, maybe more. That is what I am really excited about … that everyone is in the same boat and on the team with one vision and one plan to take the show in the direction it needs to for its own survival and longevity. That’s what I think the entire cast is now excited about. We are living in a world right now where long running shows are going off the air. We have had this threat over our heads of “What if we are next?” So instead of having to live like that, now we have a team of executives from both studios who are 100% behind the show. Instead of there being a looming threat, now there is a promise and a plan that they have in mind to work with the writers to take this show to where it needs to go. I think that is good news.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
Y&R just celebrated its 10,000th episode. You have appeared in how many of those, do you think? Did you ever think you would be on a soap for this long?
SHARON:
I have been on Y&R for 18 ½ years, so probably under half of those episodes I have appeared on. In the early days and years I thought about, “What if I am playing this role forever? How do I continue to make the role interesting for that many years?” And then I realized, that the way you do it is that the writers write so many different things for your character. When you’ve gone through all these different types of storylines it is almost like playing different kinds of characters, because you go through different jags and romances during that character’s life and point of view. On a soap opera you get to really try everything as an actor, such as: mental breakdowns, marriage and divorces, and kleptomania. You have really played almost every single thing there is to play, from the highest drama of losing a child, and becoming a mother. I have gone through every single story that could ever be told for an actor. I think I have played them all now. I never thought I would get to do that! And, when I was growing up and I decided to be an actress, I certainly did not think I would end up getting to play all this.
MICHAEL:
Sharon and Victor are finally, for all intent and purposes, done as a couple in any way, shape, or form. Right?
SHARON:
Oh, yes! That did not go over well. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to, because when we did that storyline the year before with the prison wedding, it didn’t go over well then. So when it came back up, I was saying, “Hey. I don’t think this is going to be a good idea,” simply because the fans didn’t like it, and the fans need to be behind what we do. We are a fan-driven medium.
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Fans were clearly not happy or amused with this coupling. And, I believe that is what you were saying when you were trying to explain in the retweet you sent out on Twitter regarding the negative fan response to the Shicktor pairing. Is that true?
SHARON:
I was retweeting what the fans were saying, that is what retweet is for. To give someone else’s voice … a louder voice. People will ask you to retweet their favorite charity or their birthday, something, and you are trying to put their voice into a louder speaker. So that is important to listen to what the fans say. I have always come from that point of view, but there have been other people who I have worked with that don’t have that point of view. And that is, what the fans want to see is not as important as what they want. In this medium, the fans should and do have a say. I knew when we were doing this storyline that it was not going to go over, because we had done it a year before with the prison wedding. And even that, I was not sure was going to go over, and it didn’t. And so this second go round, I was shocked that it came around again, and that we were going to attempt it again, because the fans blew up my Twitter page. They let me know that they did not like it.
MICHAEL:
You have a new Noah, once again! Your new on-screen son is being played by Robert Adamson, formerly of Hollywood Heights! How is working with Robert? And do you see the SORASing of Noah and Summer a way to add a new wrinkle to the on-going Sharon/Nick/Phyllis triangle?
SHARON:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
I have always liked the Sharon/Nick/Phyllis triangle, and I like the Nick/Sharon/Adam triangle, too. They are all good things and we should play all of them, as they all provide really good dynamics. As far as Robert, he is a good kid. So we will see what the audience thinks, and how they like him. Then, we have a new Summer too, and again we will see how the audience likes that and how they have aged the characters. So I think we have to see how that works. They are both terrific actors. It’s just when you age a character, it’s kind of tricky to see how that will work within the context of the other characters, and the storylines of the show. I have met and worked with Robert a few times, but I have not worked with Hunter Haley King yet, who is playing Summer.
MICHAEL:
There have been some heavy-duty cast cuts on Y&R recently that sent a lot of big name soap actresses packing their bags. You, however, look to be sticking around for some time to come. What has it been like for you, with the fans of the show, who have stuck by your portrayal of Sharon no matter what situation she inevitably finds herself in?
SHARON:
When I was on The Talk to promote the 10,000th episode, I wanted to give a shout out to my Twitter peeps, because everything went so fast up there on the panel discussion with the hosts. I wanted to give a shout out to: Kathy@makeupdetective, @SharonCaseFan, and then there is Nicole. We just talk, and I love them. They are so great. They talk about the storyline a lot, and whatever comes up in the news. We talk about my boyfriend and their husbands. We talk about my Pomp jewelry line, and when I have new stuff that comes out. They are just so cute. Michael Muhney (Adam, Y&R) was the one who first got me involved on Twitter. I was so afraid to get involved at the beginning. But then, I ended up meeting all these really nice people. They are smart and funny, and I laugh out loud a lot sitting at my desk chatting with them. They call you out on your stuff too, because they get to know you after a while, and it is fun. Recently, I was walking down the street and a girl came up to me and said, “Sharon, I follow you on Twitter.” And I asked her name, and she said, “Morgan,” and I said, “Oh my God, Morgan! I recognize your face now!” So yeah, I wanted to give a shout out to all my favorite gals, and Frank too!
MICHAEL:
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
So, what did you think of the content of Y&R’s 10,000th episode? Many fans have been underwhelmed by it, but they also know there is big, big stuff ahead for Sharon!
SHARON:
I thought the 9999th and 10,000th were both great, and one is the set up to the other. But I think the 9999th episode was the more fun one with lots of activity. The 10,000th episode was more classic Y&R, and a wrap-up of what these 10,000 episodes have meant. It was sort of about Nikki and Victor, and their classic relationship. We tried to get a way from the camp in the big 10,000th episode. But what I can say is, the next few weeks of air shows are going to be a very exciting time to tune-in!
Days Of Our Lives
Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes
Who says you can’t go home again? In the case of Another World favorite, Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Cass Winthrop), he has proven that it is true, and you can go back to your soap roots and where it all started for you.
Last week on April 11th, Schnetzer, along with several other key returns were on set at Days of our Lives taping all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera, centering on the funeral of Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes), and as part of the iconic soap opera’s 15,000th episode.
Stephen is reprising his first daytime role as Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). The last time Schnetzer appeared on a DAYS set was during his one and only run on the show from 1978 to 1980. Clearly, viewers will be in for some very emotional scenes when Steve returns to Salem to be there for his sister, Julie in her time of need. In real-life, Susan has been going through her own grief, having just lost Bill back on January 12th at the age of 98.
Photo: NBC
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Stephen during the 15K episode celebration ceremony, and during a break from taping the gut-wrenching funeral scenes, to get his thoughts on being part of these highly-anticipated moments that will air later this year in December. Here’s what he shared with us below.
What has this been like for you to work with Susan Seaforth Hayes after all of these years?
STEPHEN: She’s a dream and she’s so bright. We ran lines yesterday and we ended up just visiting for about 45 minutes and just catching up and telling tales about each other’s career. She even dropped off the autobiography that she and Bill did. And being back here at DAYS, every time I turn a corner, there’s another familiar face. When I was on the show 40 more years ago, a bunch of the guys, played softball on a team together. This is really a trip down memory lane as I knew it would be.
Photo: JPI
Taping Doug’s funeral must be a hard day for Susan. Are you checking in with her to help hold her up through this?
STEPHEN: I am and I’m checking in with Amy Shaughnessy (Susan’s assistant), and she’s holding her up more than anybody. We’re there for each other.
There will obviously be some major hankie-inducing moments when Steve comes back to Salem to console his sister.
STEPHEN: Oh, wait till you see it in December. It’s going to be great.
Were you surprised you got this call to come back to the show decades later?
STEPHEN: It was out of the blue! I was completely surprised. They should have called me decades ago! That’s what surprised me. When Another World went down, I thought I’d land somewhere else and it never happened. That was more of a surprise.
Photo: JPI
Cass is such an identifiable character for you. As well, you and Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) are so synonymous together as best friends Cass and Felicia from Another World. When fans heard you were reprising your role as Steve Olson on DAYS, they are now hoping there will be more of you on the show to come.
STEPHEN: Steven Olson is a real “Cassian “character. I cut my teeth on Steve Olson and that’s how Cass was introduced. He was kind of a roguish charmer. And then when the character stuck for Another World, they rehabilitated me, and turned me into one of the shows heroes. And that’s what would’ve happened if I stayed as Steve Olson probably. So, Steve is the ‘pre-Cass’, Cass.
Photo: JPI
As the story goes, you originally decided to leave Days of our Lives?
STEPHEN: I was never on contract. I was doing a day and a half a week and I got a Broadway play directed by Franco Zeffirelli starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finlay. I was able to it as I didn’t have to break a contract or anything. I cut loose and went back to New York for that.
How well did you get to know Bill Hayes during your first time around on DAYS?
STEPHEN: My first episode was with Bill and Susan, as her long lost brother coming into Salem. They were so good to me. They were so kind. I had been doing eight years of classical repertory theater, never been in front of a camera. I tell everybody, it took me longer than any other actor I’ve ever seen to get comfortable in front of a camera. And they were very supportive at that time in my career. Coming back to honor Bill now in 2024, and to be see Susan, I am just so happy to be here.
Looking forward to seeing the scenes between Stephen and Susan Seaforth Hayes come December and Doug’s funeral and surrounding episodes? Do you hope that DAYS might bring the character of Steve Olson back for a longer stay? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves Talk Return to DAYS for Doug’s Funeral, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and Their Enduring Friendship
Last week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode which is tentatively scheduled to air on December 3rd. The story will feature emotional and heart-tugging scenes of Doug Williams funeral and honor his portrayer, the beloved Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th at the age of 98.
While the actors, producers, and crew took a lunch time break to pose for some pictures and speak with the press, they knew they would have to get back to taping the funeral, which was going to make it a tough day, but also cathartic for all who loved Bill Hayes.
Several returns have thus far been announced including; Melissa Reeves reprising her signature role of Jennifer Horton (a part she first played in 1985), and Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux. Reeves had last appeared on the show back in 2021, and she was replaced by Emmy-winner Cady McClain in her absence when Jennifer was in storylines. In real-life, Melissa had moved full-time to Tennessee along with her husband, Scott Reeves (ex-DAYS, GH, Y&R). Now, and as previously reported, Reeves will first appear back on DAYS for the Thanksgiving episodes with the Hortons.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Matt and Melissa during the 15,000th episode celebration to get their take on: being back for these special episodes, how it has been working with and watching Susan Seaforth Hayes portray Julie’s grief over losing Doug, and how they have supported each other through the years. Check out what they shared below.
Melissa, you are back on the set of Days of our Lives for this very emotional and special moment in the series history. How does it feel?
MELISSA: Oh, my goodness. I am honored. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but to be here for Bill. He was like my real-life dance partner. He taught me how to ballroom dance. And to be here for Susan, of course, who’s just been our sweet hero this whole week. We’re just following her lead. She’s just been this incredibly strong example for us in the midst of this trial and season of her life. She is like just lifting us all up with her. It’s been incredible.
I was at Bill Hayes memorial service which was truly incredible and I know at the time you were in Tennessee. It was moving and celebratory of his life, all at the same time.
MELISSA: That’s all I have heard. I have to watch it on You Tube. They said it was just a real celebration of his life and I love that.
Photo: JPI
This must be difficult for Susan Seaforth Hayes depicting the death of Doug, when she is still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. (Susan pictured above with the returning Stephen Schnetzer who plays her on-screen brother, Steve Olson).
MELISSA: I’m sure Susan has those moments at home by herself, but she’s so good at being a leader and leading all of us. We’re following her, you know, and she’s like, “This is how I want to feel today.” And we’re just going along with her, you know? It’s so sweet.
Photo: JPI
How is it to see Matt Ashford again live and in-person?
MELISSA: You know, Matt and I can go years without talking, or seeing each other, and then the minute we see each other we’re chatting away.
MATT: Melissa was out on set doing a scene yesterday on the phone talking to a stage manager; as she was telling some really tough news on the phone. I’m like crying in the background, literally, I’m off-stage crying.
MELISSA: And then we get like back into normal life, and we’re like, okay, “What’s happening? What’s happening with this … or what’s happening with that?”
I had read, Melissa, that you were in touch with Matt about if there night be a possibility for you to reprise your role as Jennifer for these special episodes?
MELISSA: Yes. Well, Matt was like, “Hey! Would you want to come back? “And I was like, “Matt, you know, I would always come back. ”
MATT: Every time I come here to Days of our Lives, they ask, “Where’s Missy? How’s Missy?” Everybody backstage says, “I miss her.” All of the crew is asking about her and saying, “It would be nice to see Missy. Nothing wrong with you Matt, but …” They said, “Where is she?” I said, “She wants to come!”
Photo: JPI
There are some beautiful photos of Missy and Bill and Susan thorough the years that I found. It just reminded me of just the deep and entrenched history we all have had with the show, personally and professionally.
MATT: Missy is roughly the age where Francis Reid (ex-Alice Horton) was when she started the show, which is just crazy.
Photo: JPI
I’ve always said Missy was going to be the next generation Alice. Do you feel that Jennifer is the heir apparent matriarch of the Horton family?
MELISSA: Yes. I mean, this has been greatest blessing of my life, and that would be great. I told Ken Corday (executive producer, Days of our Lives) when I was 17 that this show would be my life. Ken always told me, “This is your home,” and I’ve always felt like that.
How have gotten through the scenes watching Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie go through the loss of Doug?
MATT: Susan is bringing her best performance life for her and Bill. I mean, she’s a showbiz baby. She always has been one hundred percent, and she’s doing it for him, and this is who they’ve always been. So, you’re seeing this amazing performance colored by her life. She has her private life as Susan, but she has enough plugged into Julie that she’s done amazing work. The director, producers and writers are giving her room to live in these moments and it’s quite wonderful.
Photo: JPI
Have you already broken down in tears during the taping?
MELISSA: Yesterday, but today’s taping of the actual funeral I think they want us to try and be just more celebratory.
MATT: I mean, it is a beautiful long life for Bill Hayes and his character of Doug Williams, and so it will be about that. Then, you get a bunch of us together in the church pews, and there’s going to be hijinks.
MELISSA: We all have been through the waves of grief. You have that awful cry and then all of a sudden you feel okay. There are those family situations we are portraying where you’re like, “What do we do? What do we do now? You know, no one knows what to do. But, it’s so sweet. I’m looking forward to seeing how the scenes all turn out.
So, are you glad that Matt and Melissa are back for the 15K episode and Doug’s funeral? From what we can tell, it’s going to be quite an emotional journey for Days of our Lives fans, and especially the performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes,
Days Of Our Lives
Ron Carlivati Talks on Decision to Make Days of our Lives 15000th Episode About Doug’s Funeral, and Previews Chances for WGA Award
This week, Days of our Lives celebrated the taping of their 15,000th episode. In of it itself, that is an incredible accomplishment for the long-running soap opera currently streaming on Peacock.
However, this on set gathering was a bit different. Though the show is celebrating their achievement, they are also in the middle of taping scenes surrounding the death and the funeral of Doug Williams, played by the late Bill Hayes, who passed away on January 12th of this year at the age of 98.
As previously revealed many longtime favorites are back to honor Bill and the character of Doug including: Gloria Loring (Liz), Melissa Reeves (Jennifer), Matthew Ashford (Jack), Maree Cheatham (Marie), Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Stephen Schnetzer (Steve) to name but a few.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV was in attendance and spoke with Days of our Lives head writer, Ron Carlivati to gain some insight into how the 15,000 episode was crafted and the decision to honor the character of Doug Williams and Bill Hayes as its epicenter. In addition, Ron weighed-in on this Sunday’s April 14th WGA (Writers Guild of America) Awards, where he and his writing team are facing off with General Hospital for the daytime drama prize. Here’s what Ron shared below.
Was this your idea to make the 15,000th episode centered around Doug’s funeral and passing?
RON: It was. When you’re looking at it, and laying out the calendar for the whole year and you see 15,000 is coming up, we’re like, “What are we going to do?” And then, we got the news that Bill had passed away and something kind of clicked. I was like, “We should honor Doug on that show.” So then, we started to kind of build around that … when does he pass away? How does he pass away? Who could come back? You know, it’s a lot. I’m very pleased with the returns that we got as there’s so much that you could do. We wanted everybody we could get. So, we put together a wish list and Janet Drucker (co-executive producer, Days of our Lives) made it happen.
Photo: JPI
You have Melissa Reeves back as Jennifer, when the role was last played by Cady McClain. What has it meant to have Missy back for these shows?
RON: It was so nice to see Missy Reeves. I think Cady has done such a good job, but on the 15,000th episode to see Missy as Jennifer, it’s a big deal. So having her was great, and overall, the milestone was a big undertaking, because you want to live up to it. You want the 15,000th episode to be good. Now, it has a lot of real emotion that you’re playing. because for the cast and the crew they’re honoring Bill Hayes just as much as we’re honoring Doug Williams.
Photo: JPI
Was it hard for you and the team to write this episode?
RON: Yes. I’ll tell you why it was hard to write. When I wrote, for example, Asa’s (Phillip Carey) death on One Life to Live or Victor’s (John Aniston) on DAYS, Asa is a different type of character. Like, you could have characters going, “Oh! I’m glad he is dead.” You could have different points of view, but with Doug, you’re not having that. Every person loves this man. No one had a bad relationship with him. So, you’re challenge as a writer is how do you make it that not everybody’s saying the same thing and doing the same thing. And so, we tried to find ways to make the episode about all the familial relationships and yet, how do you make it about Doug and yet broaden the scope.
Photo: JPI
I had spoken to Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), a week after Bill’s memorial, for an interview. She said that she felt very fortunate that you did include her on discussions of how you would tackle Doug’s passing. How did that conversation go?
RON: First, I attended Bill’s funeral, which was incredible. I said to so many people it was an emotional service, but it was hard to be sad at this. The guy had an incredible life and it was an incredible celebration. And so, you’re sitting there watching this knowing that you now have to write something similar. And how do you write something that lives up to what you just witnessed? I wanted to talk to Susan to get her thoughts about, you know, how much do you want this to be about keeping Bill separate from Doug. How comfortable are you sharing your grief. She was incredible to talk to. It was a great chat.
You’re in the middle of taping these major scenes for the 15,000 episode to air in December. How do you think it’s going? Have you seen any of the scenes?
RON: I haven’t seeing anything. I mean, we were still making changes to the script up till this morning!
Photo: JPI
The Writers Guild Awards are this Sunday, April 14th and once again this year there are two daytime drama nominees, General Hospital and Days of our Lives. How are you feeling about your chances this year?
RON: It is often just GH and us in the category. I’ve won three years in a row, so I’m kind of feeling like it’s their turn.
Photo: JPI
What episodes did you submit for contention? If I recall, they had to do with Victor’s memorial.
RON: The episodes we submitted were centered around Victor’s funeral. I think one has story with Vivian (Louise Sorel). We had some fun stuff, we had some emotional stuff at Victor’s death, and I am pretty sure that our submission was three episodes right around that time.
Did you make the decision to go with those episodes because there was a mix of humor and drama?
RON: I like to have some humor, but it was also the funeral, then there’s Sarah (Linsey Godfrey) giving birth, and then Vivian’s crashing the reading of the will. So, we had a lot of fun and it’s hard sometimes to pick three that tell a story, as opposed to submitting for the Daytime Emmys, where the writing team only submits two shows. So, we shall see how it goes on Sunday.
Courtesy/Peacock
So, are you looking forward to the emotional 15,000th episode of Days of our Lives? Do you think DAYS will take home the WGA writing award for daytime dramas for the 4th year in a row? Comment below.
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terriffic interview micheal.
loved it and love sharon case.
i really hope josh goes with the sharon and adam pairing,there was so much unfinished bussiness there,,
if the writers are going into sharons phyc,
then a good part of the unraveling would be her love for the man that stole her child….it could also ignite the nick sharon adam triangle again..
I LOVE SHARON!!!! I love her with Nick best BUT LOVE Adam wanting her! I DON”T like the fake no chemistry at all Chelsea! It is boring !!!!!! I have watched for 30 years and I am personaliy sick of Victor and Nikki! Period! Thanks Michael!
Actually, I can’t stand Sharon!!! I wish that she would stop putting herself in “Slutt” situation’s! She’s a little too old for the whole thing!
I agree! I love Sharon! She is my favorite character on the show! I can’t believe how anyone could ever talk bad about this wonderful actress and character ever!
Sharon has chemistry with everyone. She is a fantastic actress! She has this fantastic energy thanks for the interview Michael! Sharon Case has done the best job this year with her outstanding acting! Way to go!!!!!!! I hope she gets the recognition and an award she deserves.
I love Sharon! PLEASE Michael don’t let people call Sharon names like this Carol person did! It is disgusting and it is gross to see nuts do this to such a wonderful actress. Thanks I loved the interview
i llove sharon cates,and sharon NEWMAN too…
great interview again by MICHAEL FAIRMAN,always have the best IMO media interviews.
great blog.and i adore her with nick newman,BEST and i think what is force is the phyllis nick stuff BORING. and repetitive,too contrive,and i think adam and sharon yes have a lot of chemistry,and i think Nick and her have overall
the BEST DAYTIME chemistry,in history with a few others not too many in the younger age bracket meaning who were born prior to early 70s. they are so beautiful together,and real intense chem,her and nick,so i want a reunion
but not yet.
I agree, chelsea and adam seem as nick and phyllis force but i m liking her being married to adam,so far anyhow lol
from morgan farantino-clark
Sharon besides from the Drucilla Winters day’s has had people interested in Young and The Restless no mater what they say! As for Shelia Carter WOW and OH MY GOD! Can there get any better than the true KIm Brown as Shelia! Those were the day’s my friends! Sharon needs to be back in a hot steamy romance! When I saw Victor and Nikki kiss the other day I had my lunch in my throught! We get it! We do not NEED to see our grandparents kiss !
I agree! Besides from Sharon Drucilla is totally off the hook fantastic! Ashley is a great actress also! Those are the three tops in Y&R . The old days were Jill and Kay.
Sorry YES I forgot Shelia was awesome also big time
I do not think Sharon Case had dam thing to do with the destruction of the character Carol and it will take a miracle to bring it back this character is all over the map brain tumor, mental breakdown, duel personality how do we get out of this dilema if you want to fire an actress MAB do it do not destroy her to us viewers so that we are in pain to watch. as my sister would say she deserves an emmy for having to do love scenes with EB & SN one 30 yrs older the other 20 plus and fans or not fans calling her the mattress. Please!
sharon case ever leaves i will leave and never watch this show again!!!!!!!!!!!11
Great interview!
I agree Kay/Kay Sharon had everything to do with telling them it would NEVER work with fans in the start with her with Victor but MAB and Brandeon aka Victor did it any way and Sharon did such a great job. She is a true team player
I hope they do something with Sharon’s voice. It appears to be dull and boring; she talks monotone. Not an interesting sound pitch like Phyllis, Nikki, Chanceller and Avery. The rest of the women voices are pleasant, and they don’t sound flat like Sharon’s voice.
Please give Eden a more interesting role. She is just there and get her memory by for goodness sakes!!!
Please end this Paul episode it has been drawn out too long that it has become a boring segment.
Sharon has a wonderful voice! Nikki is like a baby voice and Chelsea squeeks like a mouse it hurts my ears and Omg Kyle! Can we talk???? Did anyone ever see the episode of Bobby Brady changes from The Brady Bunch LOL LOL LOL
Peaches , Sharon Case has a beautiful voice! Chelsea and Kyle have strange voices not Sharon
Of course, sharon’s voice doesn’t sound like Phyllis’ voice. Phyllis screams bloody murder at everybody all the time, flinging her arms up and down and backwards. she is a mad woman.
Hey,Michael.I’m so glad you have this great interview with Sharon. She definitely is not anything like her role as Sharon Newman. I never liked the Victor-Sharon storyIine . It was distasteful to me in so many ways. Age difference for one, and having Sharon a Newman every ten minutes. So, I assume from your interview that she is probably going to some kind of rehab, again. After all, she stole items from Lauren’s shop, etc. But, I auppose this will all lead to a story that she had no control over all the crazy things she has done. I’m really not liking Nick and Sharon getting back together in the future either. I do think the writers have exhausted alot of the same stories, though. I’m still a long time fan though, no matter what!….
Sharon Case is a awesome person in real life so far out of all of them only Christian LB can come pair to how loving and pure she is
Sharon Case didn’t want the Victor pairing BUT Maria Bell and Eric who play’s Victor did! So unfair to Sharon BUT Emmy #2 is in her future she made it work! You go girl! 🙂
Love this quote from Sharon: “They (Shick) are a super couple! Of course, they will end up together in the end!” I want Sharon and Nick back together ASAP. Wonderful interview 😀
Me 2!! SHICK to the end!!
Gosh! I am truly one of those fans, who “has stuck by the character, regardless of storyline”. I love the Sharon character, and Sharon Case as an actress.
Look, I was the first to go crazy this past July, when Maria Bell was fired, but truthfully, I await with such eager anticipation for the episodes that begin next Friday, October 12. I can’t wait to go on this journey of transformation of the Sharon character, and to experience the healing.
I agree Sharon and Nick are perfect as a hot couple! Phyllis NEVER worked with Nick and Adam and Chelsea are just aweful and have no spark at all!
michael as usual great interview!! ♥
This was a great interview Michael. Sharon Case has really taken the shizz that former head writer Maria Bell gave her and turned it into gold. I know Sharon really hated the storyline that Maria gave her and that apparently Sharon and Maria did not get along at all and one point, Maria threatened to fire Sharon and replace her with an actress who’ll act out the lines that she writes for the role of Sharon Collins Newman Abbott Newman Newman (I’m sure there’s another marriage in there somewhere).
But kudos on the great interview.
I hope they put Nick & Sharon back together. They are like Nikki & Victor, they belong together. Sharon & Nick have always been my favourite couple. Hope they don’t put her back with Adam. Adam is great wth Chelsie (sp?). Can’t imagine any women going back to a man who stole her baby.
Agree! “Shick” seems so much at ease, not forced, fits like ring on finger, vs. forced, lust-filled, and desperate like “Phick”. JMO!
Sharon went back to Adam not once but twice after knowing he had taken her baby. Then she dumped him when she found out he helped Patty to escape from Fairview. What???? So I agree it makes no sense in the real world but this is soap land where obviously characters just don’t make decisions based on what normal folks would do. I’m still waiting for a Nikki Adam pairing, it would make as much sense as the Sharon Victor pairing.
Why, is Adam hanging around with Sharon again?. That guy is mysterious.He is not surporting Chelsie at all.
Good classy interview, classy questions you are the best Michael!
The interview sounded a bit contrived to me, with Ms Case saying pretty much what Sony would want her to say, and not what she really felt. I think she knows where her bread is buttered. As for the character Sharon, the only thing I hope is they come to an understanding who Sharon is and what makes her tick and write storylines for her that make sense to who the character is and her history.
great interview
I really hope Sharon & Adam get back together and are endgame! They are golden together. Nick belongs with Phyllis.
Can’t stand Nick and Sharon!!!!! Please go in a different direction. Also, take Phyllis back to the strong person that she was. She had grown…told it like it was and is Let her redeem herself!!
I agree with wanda with it comes to phyllis character.
all this SHICK shit ruined Phyllis! put SHICK back together so I can FF them and save my soap time for the real stars of the show!
I am so in agreement with you.
Hope they get Sharon & Nick back together. I think they belong together like Nikki & Victor. Hard to believe her going back to Adam. Not many women would go back to the person who stole their baby. Great interview.
Another Barb agrees
Still hoping for a Shadam reunion. I truly believe that they belong together.
Thank you Michael for this great interview! I loved what she said about Sharon and Nick! I really hope they’re going back together, they were the only reason why I was watching Young and the restless. I haven’t watched the show ever since Sharon went to NOLA and started making out w/ Adam.
Agree, Pam!
Was once a fan of Shick but prefer Sharon with Adam. IMO the fit plus the chemistry is there. I am very happy no more Sharon and Victor. They need to share less screen time forever.
Sharon Case is as delusional as her character! there is no “in the end” or endgame on soaps, there is CANCELLED!
Sharon and Nick are as toxic as Three Mile Island and have been from the get go!
When does Sharon (the character) start taking care of herself? when does she pull up her big girl panties and take ownership of her asinine life! What a waste of woman!
Great interview! Loved reading SC’s thoughts. Shick do belong together and I hope they are reunited one day.
Shick do belong together.
Shick are awesome together! It’s time to reunite them and let Sharon finally heal.
Obviously there are SHIC fans on this blog. I respect your choice but disagree totally. For Sharon to declare that Shick will end up together in the end – I am hoping it will NOT be in my lifetime. They are soooo yesterday news. to a lot of us. She has also insulted other male characters she has partnered with especiallly Adam.
No Sharon NEVER insulted anyone! You need your facts! The entire tweet thing was not her saying anything negative but it WAS certain cast members commenting and other friends and fans telling Case she was great and put up with A lot! She re tweeted the nice compliments she recieved that’s ALL she did! It was relayed back to EB in the wrong way and he acted like a child calling Sharon names and another person a Bastard! EB also needed his facts before he judged Case and got his facts straight!
Just love, love, love Sharon Case! She is the reason I’ve watched this show for the past 18 years and the show just would not be the same without her character “Sharon”. I agree with what Josh Morrow has said publicly more than once now: Nick and Sharon belong together. Period. They are the next super couple to reunite, a la Victor and Nikki, as they truly deserve to be happy together again. Phick only ruined Nick and they remain the most forced and mismatched pair in Y&R history, IMO. Shadam? Please. The destruction of the real Sharon Collins Newman began when they tried to force feed us that Sharon would EVER choose her baby’s kidnapper over the best interests of said baby. Not a chance. Shadam was as sick as Shictor! Clearly MAB tried to deliberately destroy “Sharon”, but I’m so thrilled that Ms. Case’s fans won out and it was MAB who got fired instead. Lol! MAB didn’t know how much the Sharon character – the one Bill Bell Sr. created – is beloved. Even Sony and CBS could see MAB was ruining the show, not just Sharon. Long live Sharon and Nick – the real end game couple.
Great, great interview Michael, as always. 🙂
I agree Nick and Sharon will and should be end game, Joshua and Sharon both have said that Nick and Sharon belong together and I agree Nick and Sharon are a younger versus of Victor and Nikki
Nick and Sharon are so boring! I can’t stand the everyone loving and up-holding the Shareho!! I would LOVE to see Nick grow up!!! When you really truly love someone, you may not like what they have done but you stick by them and defend them to the end. Phyllis’ sister and husband did not! However, Ronan did. He put all he had on the line for her. Now, that is love, I would love for Nick to have the tables turned on Nick and have him treated the way he treats the women in his life. Let him get a good dose of “its all about me”.
SHARON better be back on top in love with Nick or Adam! I am so tired of them making a fool of my favorite actress on daytime TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an articulate, classy, beautiful actress! Well done.
After years of watching the character of Sharon mope and droop like a wet rag I was actually enjoying Sharon “the bitch”. The sarcastic delivery of her lines was a hoot. For the first time the character had backbone and a tough crap attitude. Hopefully, Sharon will not be “rescued” by a man, not Nick nor Adam nor a new one. The character needs to retain some of the ballsy attitude and build a life for herself outside the Newman orbit, both personally & professionally.
Ms Case fails to ever mention Stephen Nichols.
She is not bowling me over by pandering to the same old same old group of twittering egos.
what do you mean by “She is not bowling me over by pandering to the same old same old group of twittering egos.” ?
Frankly, the Newman men and Sharon are eternal re runs rather than moving on nor growth.
Shick for me is not an end game unless you mean end this program already and cancel!!!!
Nick is a judgmental creep. He feels a sense of entitlement to all and superiority. In reality, he takes as much as anyone, feigns morality as he cheats more than most, exchanges wives on a dime, and expects everything to be his.
He is the worst because he is quick to judge and never accept how bad a human being he himself is or how much of a ego maniac. Guess it runs in the Newman clan but its boring and a bad re run.
Mr Nichols added something fresh and a venue toward walking from the Newman’s finally and establishing something different. Sticking with the same old makes this character less vital and more well, tedious.
I so agree with you CT about Stephen Nichols. What a fantastic actor. I really enjoy his work. He proves it playing Tucker who is a total complicated man, Tucker is not mr. goody two shoes, nor is he totally evil. I don’t know if this is true, but rumor has it that Adam will turn bad again and end up going back to Sharon. Hopefully Tucker will go on into a new good storyline and a new romance soon.
jealous, much ? lol
Nice interview. Yes, some of the responses were very tactful but does anyone really expect her to risk saying something that could be misinterpreted by fans?? I think it’s called having class! In any case (no pun intended), it’s a new regime so why not just turn the page and start out fresh sans negativity?
I hope the writers put Sharon with NO ONE for awhile and let the character find her way back to stability, repair her relationship with her KIDS and her Mother Doris.
People can argue all day long about who they want Sharon to be with but it is up to the writers to tell the story and hopefully it will be a good one.
Just don’t set women back 50 years by reuniting her with the psycho who stole Faith from her arms. This is not the 80s where such things can be overlooked, it’s 2012 and that would be ridiculous to anyone with a sense of humanity. Please just no Adam.
Well Erick B had no problem calling Sharon names and another friend of mine a bastard ! I think Case is 100% classy all the way all the time1 I can NOT say the same for EB aka Victor !
oh please, it is a soap where characters always do bad things to each other then another storyline and new writers come and all is forgotten, nothing new..if the characters have chemistry, at least we can enjoy them on-screen, the storylines will always be quite..how to say..over the top ! Blame the writers, they are the one who chose to write the horrible things done by the characters after all.
I agree Phyllis and Nick do not belong together at all
love phyllis and ronan together they make a hot couple. hope they are together for a while. hope to see victor well back on his feet fighting jack to get his company back.
Agree with Ronan and Phyllis.
Cute interview, i hope she is right and the Sharon character doesn’t need some rescue..and by the way she is totally right about the ‘damsel in distress’ being over done and outdated, for us young women it is offensive actually, far worse than the ‘evil’ soap guys who do ‘bad things’. Strong women who can give as much as they get is the way to make us watch no matter if the love interest is a ‘bad boy’ or a ‘good guy’ by the way we want grey, flawed, more real characters, male or female..the ‘hero’ ‘villain’ or damsel, vixen/bitch is for Disney or at least another era..the manicheen storytelling is OVER and ridiculous for the demos target, get it daytime soaps ?!!
I love the scene with Nick and Avery,They are really hot.!
I’ve been watching Y&R since the Brooks were the main family in Genoa City.
When it comes to couples:
I prefer Nick with Phyllis or Nick with Avery. I prefer Adam with Chelsea. I prefer Phyllis with Nick or with Ronan, although she was good with Jack while it lasted… however I am really not interested in seeing Phyllis & Jack back together.
Just as I’m not interested in seeing Nick & Sharon back together again… Or even seeing Sharon & Jack back together.
Getting people back together is too overdone. Nicki & Victor need to make this reunion last forever this time.. breaking them up and getting them back together has grown tiresome.
Nick & Sharon together are boring. Adam and Sharon are boring. Sharon needs to move on in her life with someone new & permanently or needs to learn how to make it on her own like Mary Tyler Moore in her show did. Or pair Sharon up with someone totally different personality wise from the Newman men or from Tucker.
I’d like to see Kevin, Eden, Chloe, Abby, Carmine, Summer, Fen, Kyle & Noah with more interesting story lines, as this is after all, called The Young and the Restless.
If it’s true that you are going to listen to the fans then you really need to listen to all of the fans and not just a handful. It’s too bad you let Debbi Morgan/Harmony go cause I loved her on All my Children and on Charmed.
I would Love to see Adam and Sharon get back together, I think they could still make it interesting if they were together, As far as Chelsea and Adam, I hate it, Sorry but Adam and Sharon belong together..It’s stupid every time they start to get back together the writers make it to where they don’t, It really makes me not like to watch the show and making Sharon always having problems gets a little old, I’m sorry I love the show but, They need to make it more interesting for the viewers..I watch it hoping that Adam and Sharon get back together that is my main reason for watching…They are the best part of the show to my Opinion . I’m sure you get the picture…lol
I wish so called fans would lay off Sharon Case, the person and concentrate on the character she plays, Sharon Collins/ Newman..I love Sharon Case, she’s my favorite actress. I think the writer will once again write another triangle, Sharon, Nick and the new man that will rescue Sharon Newman once again, isn’t that why we watch this awful never ending predictable story lines…Let Victor’s character retires somewhere, tired of seeing his old mean self.