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B&B's Jack Wagner discusses 6,000th episode & his hope's for Nick's future!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Today, The Bold and the Beautiful aired it’s milestone 6,000th episode. And to mark the occasion, the daytime series that of late has been doing an extraordinary job of tackling socially relevant issues of the human condition, added another thought-provoking and informative episode on lung cancer. If you missed it, you can view it here at CBS.com. At its center is Susan Flannery whose Stephanie Forrester has been dealing with stage four lung cancer, and Jack Wagner as Nick Marone, who recently found out he had a spot on his lung. Throughout the episode real life cancer patients and survivors are brought into the mix as sort of an intervention for Nick, and we hear about the emotional and physical toll this disease takes on people from all walk’s of life.
On-Air On-Soaps was at CBS this morning on the set of B&B for their 6,000th episode celebration which was streamed live on the Internet, and had the opportunity to speak with Jack Wagner regarding this important story and where he would like to see Nick head in the future. Here is our “quickie” interview with Jack!
When they said they were going to give your character Nick possible lung cancer, and thus making Nick and you a big part of the 6,000th episode, what went through your mind?
JACK: That my two sons and I have to go out and apply for jobs at Carl’s Jr.! Because when you get a spot on your lung on a soap opera, it’s kind of curtains (laughs). So we are now all working at Carl’s Jr’s… kidding!
Were you given much of a heads up by B&B head honcho, Brad Bell that this was going to be the story he was planning on telling for Nick?
JACK: I did get a heads up about it, but I did not know where they were going to go with it, of course. I was really grateful to be selected to drive this storyline with Susan Flannery. Today’s episode, episode 6,000, had no script. So it was really ground-breaking in that Susan and I were in character, but the people who were interviewed with cancer for our group therapy session that we were trying to put together, they were themselves, and we were in character with no scripted show at all!
It was really a Nick intervention spurred on by Stephanie that seemed to drive the show…
JACK: Exactly, but it wasn’t really set up for that. Ultimately, it turned out to be that and it was a nice bond between the Stephanie character and the Nick character. They really meet at this level of; from the heart and are kind of there for each other. It was very different from what I have done on this show previously, in terms of babies behind my back, or a whose baby is it type of storyline.
Do you feel the 6,000th episode, and Nick having a spot on his lung, showed or allowed a more sensitive side to Nick’s character?
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
JACK: I think what it showed and what I was happy about was the part about the process of recovery. I have been around that for quite a few years now and the dynamic that people face; the real tough battle of trying to quit something you know is legal. It’s not like you are drinking walking around the streets. So this is smoking, which gives you some relief for three or four minutes, and it kills you. And when you try to quit anything that is an addiction it’s hard. You know, Nick was able to go through all the different phases which were (1) This isn’t happening to me (2) The denial of, “Well I don’t have a problem” (3) “Wow, this is really a possible problem” (4) The reality and acceptance of, “You know what? My kid could get sick.” And, by the end of it, acceptance.
And the cigar smoking, do you Jack smoke cigars?
JACK: I will smoke one cigar a month or something like that, and maybe one or two cigarettes a month. And even after I do it, I still have that taste of going, “Well, that wasn’t quite as good as I thought it was going to be.” But it still kind of lingers there, you know.
Was Nick’s cigar smoking just brought in at this point for the purpose of this story?
JACK: No, he actually smoked from the beginning of his time on the B&B canvas. When Nick came on the show, he was a drinker, smoker, with a beard and all of that, and then slowly tapered off and went into the fashion world where they cleaned him up a little bit. Then CBS Standard and Practices did not want the smoking anymore, but then when this story came along they wanted him to start smoking again. Nick has always been very clear that he was a cigar guy on his boat.
What would you like to see happen to Nick in the next phase of his life on B&B?
JACK: You know, I have got to be honest. There is always that unanswered question with Nick and Brooke and it really was hit upon with the last baby and the insemination and all of that. I think to revisit that somehow for the Brooke/Nick fans would be great.
There is something electric and fun to watch with you and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) on-screen together. You are both very strong, sexy performers!
JACK: That is kind of it, to revisit something with Brooke and Nick, where it’s something that has some real sexual energy to it, not just a small story arc. But it would need to be something to bring back that chemistry that people seem to love. Maybe that will be down the road.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
With all your amazing list of television credits and that you’re a household name, why have you continued to stay with B&B all these years?
JACK: One of the reasons I came back to daytime was that my boys were where they were in their lives, and I was going through a divorce. You know I was married once, now divorced once. I really made a commitment that I would put my boys in a lifestyle that is the best for them. So I did kind of make that commitment. So, I am not going to now start to jump out of it and start auditioning. I like having security in my life. So it really was about my family. I have a boy who has two more years in high school, so I will be here for sure at least that long, I hope. And that was my commitment, to do the best I could to make this role as interesting as possible, and really fulfill my commitment as a father.
What makes Susan Flannery so amazing to work with, and what made this episode so special that aired today? She was so real in it.
JACK: You know that is the best part of Susan, she is really very real. It is a kind of a developed quality from a mature actress, and it is spontaneous. But yet, she is well rehearsed and at the same time you feel like you are challenged. I feel like I am challenged with Susan. Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie M), same thing.
And speaking of Lesley-Anne Down, that mother/son bond between the two of you has gone on for years and is still so interesting and enjoyable to watch because of the dynamic you bring together on-screen.
JACK: Thank you. It’s weird to have someone so close to my age, maybe five or six years older than me, and you would never guess that. I sort of revert back to this child or boy when she is around. (Imitating Lesley-Anne as Jackie) “You know, Nicky.” And then it kind of gets to that banter that tends to work with us and you take the dramatic license and believe we are truly mother and son, at least I think.
Coming up in a few months is your fifth Annual Jack Wagner Celebrity Golf Classic. What can you tell us about it?
JACK: It’s going to be held this year on Monday April 18th. It’s a one day event for Leukemia Lymphoma, and that will be at the Valencia Country Club, in Valencia, California. We are hoping to break the million dollar mark. That is what we are looking to do!
PROGRAMMING NOTE TO SEE MORE JACK! Make sure to also catch Jack this Wednesday, February 9th when he is the guest on an all-new episode of the hit TV Land comedy series, Hot in Cleveland! It all happens at 10PM EST/9CST!
The S.W.A.T. franchise just keeps on keepin on! On Monday, it has been revealed that its latest spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles starring The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy winner, Shemar Moore, will have its series premiere this fall on Starz beginning on September 25.
The series had been looking for a home, and Starz wound up being that outlet after series producer and distributor Sony Pictures Television closed a deal with the pay-TV network for the U.S. rights to the action thriller. Previously, the studio sold S.W.A.T. Exiles in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, with the 10-episode series set to launch day-and-date in select international territories.
According to Deadline, “Sony Pictures TV is using a windowing strategy for S.W.A.T. Exiles in the U.S. with Starz getting first window. I hear the studio has been in second-window conversations with Netflix where the original series has been available for more than three years.”
Photo: SPT
S.W.A.T EXILES FEATURES “HONDO” HARRELSON AND YOUNG RECRUITS
In a statement on the deal, Shemar Moore expressed: “S.W.A.T. Exiles is coming in hot! I couldn’t be more excited that Starz is bringing this next chapter to audiences in the U.S. A huge thank you to Sony Pictures Television for believing in this franchise and continuing to invest in what we’ve built together. What makes this moment even more special is that we’re reaching audiences in all major territories worldwide. Fans everywhere will get to experience this epic new ride together.”
In S.W.A.T. Exiles, after a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore) is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city — and saving the program that made him who he is.
It was back in May that viewers watched the OG S.W.A.T. come to an end after 8 seasons on CBS and multiple resuscitations along the way to keep it alive after it was about to be buried.
Photo: JPI
SHEMAR MOORE’S RECENT RETURN TO THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Taking to his Instagram to share the excitement of the pick-up; Moore said, Yeee!!! S.W.A.T. EXILES is OFFICIALLY picked up!!!!!! Landing on Starz this FALL!!!! Congratulations to the CAST, CREW, and our team at Sony Pictures Television ….. We continue to defy the odds!!!! To the FANS…. Thank you for always showing love. We can’t wait for you to see what we’ve made for YOU!!!! Let’s go!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥”
While waiting for the fate of S.W.A.T. Exiles, Moore made a return to The Young and the Restless in a pivotal yet short story arc that concluded this month. In it, we learned that Malcolm had a child with former flame, Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox), the product of which was Holden Novak (Nathan Owens).
The intel all came to light when Malcolm developed aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. The donor wound up to be none other than Lily’s (Christel Khalil) ex, Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn). Now, Malcolm has said his goodbyes for now to Genoa City, while Holden now is tied to the Winters family and Stephanie gets a new lease on life too.
So, excited to learn that S.W.A.T Exiles will be able to been in the U.S. on Starz? Do you hope Shemar will one day bring Malcolm back for another visit to Y&R? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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The soap opera Gods haves smiled down upon late night talk show and Emmy winner, John Oliver. The Last Week Tonight host revealed on Sunday’s June 28 episode of his HBO Max series, that he booked two roles on two different soap operas, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives and his long-fueled desire to appear in a role on the genre had been fully realized, twice over!
Previously, Oliver let it be known back in the March 8 episode of this late night show, that after realizing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (Brick) had a recurring role on a soap opera, that he was tinged with jealously and wanted to do the same sharing, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.” Oliver also had some mandates he wanted a character with a “ridiculous” name, and he wanted,” something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something.”
So, who came a calling? First up, General Hospital! Oliver will be playing a “significant” character to a major storyline (and i think you know who it will be!) in episodes that begin this week for a three-episode arc starting on Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and wrapping Monday, July 6.
Photo: JPI
JOHN OLIVER COMES TO PORT CHARLES
In a statement, GH executive producer, Frank Valentini told Variety, “When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second. He was everything you’d hope he’d be: prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set. He plays an integral character in the story, and I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths within Port Charles.”
John Oliver added: “General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”
On the Sunday, June 28 episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver shared, “General Hospital had genuinely picked me for a role and given me the chance to hang out in Port Charles, the home of Luke and Laura, the Corinthos family and Brick, and given me the chance to join the ranks of guest stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr, and of course the great Colonel Sanders.”
Oliver explained, “I’ll be on General Hospital next week and while I’m not going to spoil anything. I will show you this picture of my character. Yes, that is me surrounded by men with guns. And yes, my hair has been dipped in an ink well (see lead photo of this article), and if you can tell from my face, I’m acting my hardest.”
As the story broke, GH’s Chris McKenna (Brennan) took to X and said “Go to ‘Z’ with the hashtags #GH and @HBO, meaning Oliver has to be playing the never-before-seen boss of Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), who Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are trying to get to.
JOHN OLIVER COMES TO SALEM
Following, his stint on General Hospital and as first reported by Oliver himself, he will next be seen in episodes streaming on Peacock of Days of Our Lives, August 11, 12 and 14. Given DAYS usually tapes ten-months in advance of streaming, it’s clear they worked in some new scenes featuring Oliver just the other week.
In a statement on his guest star role on Days of Our Lives, series executive producer, Ken Corday shared, “When John Oliver said, ‘Call me soaps, I’m available and willing to travel. I want to be a part of that world,’ our world, we had to heed the call!”
Photo: CordayProductions/ChrisHaston
On Last Week Tonight, Oliver explained, “I’m thrilled to announce I have an update, because I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of little show called Days of Our Lives. The show that gave us unforgettable moments like the Devil possessing Marlena, Sami Brady trying to rescue Phillip from Iraq by going in full soldier drag and Bo Brady discovering a mysterious woman in a bayou that everyone called Swamp Girl until learning she was actually a princess. Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives!”
He acknowledged being part of the iconic series and its legendary stars: “This is clearly a huge honor to come to the home of some of the more renowned soap actors like Deidre Hall (Marlena), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), and the late John Aniston (ex-Victor).”
Photo: IG
Oliver then showed a photo of himself in a scene with EJ DiMera played by Dan Feuerriegel and wearing a rather humorous hair piece. On Monday, Feuerriegel took to his social media and shared a behind the scenes photo of himself next to Oliver and writing, “Well, this happened 🤭 Can’t wait for y’all to enjoy the shenanigans. John crushes it. #daysofourlives #JohnOliver”
So, what do you think of John Oliver being given two soap roles from two shows, who quickly picked up on the the late night talk show host’s desire to appear on a soap and wrote roles and booked him? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the promo from this week’s General Hospital featuring Oliver below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’
Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!
The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.
Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off. A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”
Photo: JPI
BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”
Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing. My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”
As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.
Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.
Shemar Moore Led ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Lands Home at Starz for Upcoming Fall Season
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly in Danger to Save Josslyn; Cody May Be Onto Cassius, and a Mysterious Arrival
John Oliver Lands Roles on ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Hope and Katie Take a Victory Lap Before All Hell Breaks Loose with the Forresters
‘Beyond the Gates’ Set to Air Week of Encore Episodes
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Hope Floors the Runway and the Forresters!
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Jacob Martinez Debuts as Javi Hernandez First Look Photos
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly in Danger to Save Josslyn; Cody May Be Onto Cassius, and a Mysterious Arrival
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Hope and Katie Take a Victory Lap Before All Hell Breaks Loose with the Forresters
WWE ‘Night of Champions’ Shocker: Sami Zayn Pins Cody Rhodes for Undisputed World Heavyweight Title
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Jacob Martinez Debuts as Javi Hernandez First Look Photos
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Britt and Rocco Say Their Goodbyes, Then She Gets Arrested; Anna Reveals “Nathan West” is an Imposter
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General Hospital1 week agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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Recaps3 days agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Hope Floors the Runway and the Forresters!
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Days Of Our Lives2 days agoDAYS OF OUR LIVES: Jacob Martinez Debuts as Javi Hernandez First Look Photos
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General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDeidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
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Great article on one of daytime’s enduring legends. Hopefully try will let Jack Wagner sing on the show soon!
It is a great article, thanks you very much!
Oh boy! Where is RJ? Who is Baby jacks actual Mother? Continuity Brad!
I really like Jack Wagner. He truly seems like a great person. It is great that you had this interview with him, Michael. Telling the new story about him becoming sick from a smoking addiction is being done effectively. Having Stephanie the person that he has turned to and her willingness to help him is very good. We saw him taking a cigar and starting to hide it and as luck would have it ,Stephanie saw him and stopped him. His life with women has not gone well,though. But smoking addiction is another topic I’m happy the show is doing. I hope they don’t kill him off, though. Nice article, MIchael.
I’ve started to watch B&B now and then since i don’t have my beloved ATWT anymore..I’m not crazy about some of the actors but i am starting to really appreciate Jack Wagner .He has a special charm without being over the top.I like watching him he’s so real.And he’s a handsome guy too.I would not like to see him back with Brooke.I hope this show keeps him for a very long time because he’s now one of the good guys!