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Digital Drama Daytime Emmy Preview: Patrika Darbo Talks On Her Nominated Performance in ‘Studio City’

By Michael Fairman

Published

6 years ago

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Photo: JPI

In Sunday night’s Digital Drama Daytime Emmys (9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST) former Days of our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful star, Patrika Darbo (Ex-Nancy, Ex-Shirley, respectively) is one of the notable nominees of the night for her powerhouse performance as Violet in Studio City.

Darbo is always working on projects in Hollywood, and her resume is long … whether it is in sitcoms like Seinfeld, series like Desperate Housewives, daytime dramas, the hottest digital drama, commercials, and more.

Having a complicated history with the Emmys; Patrika has won a Primetime Emmy for her work in Acting Dead, had her previous Daytime Emmy for The Bay rescinded, and now has a shot at another one when the winner is revealed in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama Series category in which she is nominated.

Studio City was nominated for 8 Daytime Emmys this year including for Darbo, and series creator and star, Sean Kanan (Ex-GH, B&B, Y&R).  The show tells the tale of the cast of a fictional daytime drama as they navigate through the chaotic world of soap operas and their own very messy personal lives.  In it, Darbo delivers a tour de force monologue which just might have sealed the deal for Emmy voters.  She has already won, along with Studio City castmate, Carolyn Hennesy (Diane, GH), an Indie Series Award for her work, when the two actresses tied in their category.  They are both nominated together again for the Daytime Emmy.

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrika to talk playing those heavy emotional moments in Studio City, longevity in Hollywood, and Emmy night.  To watch the first season of Studio City via Amazon Prime Video click here, and to watch the Digital Drama Daytime Emmys click here.  Now here’s what Patrika shared with us.

Photo; JPI

We all knew that your memorable scene in Studio City was so strong.  Your performance is really such a standout that I just thought, “Of course she is going to get nominated for this,” and you did!  How did you feel about this nomination?

PATRIKA:  I have been through the many ways that Sean Kanan has put this show together.  I mean, he has worked on it for a long time.  I read for it with him, as his mom, being a comedy, and now we’ve gone all the way to the dramatic. I think Sean did some pretty good rewrites and gave me some great, meaty material. I so appreciate the fact that he recognized the fact that I am not just a comedic actress, that there is a dramatic part of me.  

Photo: StudioCity

The big moment in Studio City for your character was just so heartbreaking.  Did you deliver that performance in one take?

PATRIKA:  Yes, and then of course I had to do it a couple of times because we had to see it from Sean’s side for his reaction shots to what I was doing.  I come from the school that even though the camera is on my back, it is now on my partner’s front.  So, I tried to give Sean as much to react to when the camera was on him as when it was on me, and I got the same from him, so it was a very nice collaboration.

I watched Sean in that scene.  He was so good in it.  So, whatever you were doing, it triggered such honest reactions from him.

PATRIKA:  I think just as far as actors go; it is not that we always have to remember that it is not about us as an individual.  It is about the end product, and the end product is about who you are working with.  I got from Sean things to work with that made Violet’s emotion’s there, and then I wanted me to be able to take my emotions and give them back to him.

 

Photo: StudioCity

Was it hard to go there for you, to that deep emotional place; that Violent had been traumatized in her not so humble beginnings in Hollywood?

PATRIKA:  You know, I have great admiration for all of these women who have come forward in the whole #MeToo movement.  I have always been a short, round, fat, little character woman, who was never approached in those ways.  So, there were things I couldn’t relate to.  I had to go to my own personal darkness, which is mine to use when I need it, but to try to be sure that I made sure that women who had faced what I was talking about could appreciate that I was showing tribute to them, because that is a horrible thing, and any kind of situation when you are bullied into something that you don’t want to do or taken advantage of, those kind of situations.

For Violet, all of this stemmed from her desire to be in show business; that at an early age she found herself in a horrible situation with a scuzzy show biz type.

PATRIKA:  Yes, she got into town and it was like a dream come true. She got invited to parties, and everything was wonderful, and “Oh, he’s going to put me in the movies,” you know.  I think that’s what happens: Hollywood is so glorious, and kids come in and get off the bus to be a star, and the first thing you have to do is wait tables … and the second thing is sometimes when you are very pretty, and thin, and attractive, and bad things happen, and I’m not just saying it happens just to women.  It happens to young men as well, and it can happen to some older people.  It’s just a thing that we have now identified, and I think people are being made aware of it.

Photo: JPI

It almost seems like you get nominated for all sorts of things in you career: primetime, daytime, stage etc.  Have you ever figured out in your own mind, why you think you get the recognition? 

PATRIKA:  I think because people know me, and I try to give out what I want back.  You know, I treat people the way I want to be treated, which means that if there are a thousand things you’ve got to watch, and you go, “Oh, there’s Patrika, let’s see what she is doing now!  She’s always so nice to me,” they take a look at my work.  Do you know what I am saying?  It’s a numbers game.  We think about how many are in primetime at this moment, and even though there are only four soaps left on the major daytime calendar, there are still the new digital shows that are coming up.  I think I am very fortunate that people know my name, they know me, and they want to take a look and see what I am up to again, and the young actors and actresses that I mentor, and kids who I’ve work with, the most important thing, I always say, is to be nice.  No one should have to tell you that, but sometimes you have to reinforce it and say, “You know what?  The casting assistant today is the casting director tomorrow, the assistant director today is the director tomorrow.  The kid over here is the writer today, and tomorrow he is the show runner.”  I don’t think you should approach your life like “What’s in it for me?”

Photo: wireimage

What did you think of the whole of Studio City?  I think it’s a little gem.  I loved its look and feel, as well.

PATRIKA:  As we go along in this digital world, it is becoming more film-like, more real life looking.  We’ve kind of gotten away from the flat, three-camera take.  It’s bringing more things to life, and people are just enthralled with it. This is the new genre of the hour-long soap.  I think with the attention span of people these days; digital drama they may wind up enjoying more and because it looks more real, they will enjoy it more.

You were in a middle of a firestorm, in 2018, when your Daytime Emmy win for your wok in The Bay was revoked.  Did you at all think about that when you found out you got nominated For Studio City?

PATRIKA:  At first, you kind of go, “Are they giving me this nomination for this reason?” but then you kind of go, “You know what?  It really has nothing to do with NATAS.  It has to do with my peers appreciating my work.  So, I know even though I had some problems in the past, NATAS was so apologetic and they’ve made a lot of changes to try to make sure that things like that don’t happen to anyone else, which I am so appreciative of, but this nomination came from my peers.  So I feel I earned it, and I don’t think it has anything to do with what happened in the past except for the fact that there are changes that are for the good.

Photo: Studio City

Now, you are nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama Series category along with your Studio City co-star, GH’s Carolyn Hennesy.  You both tied in this category at the recent 11th annual Indie Series Awards as well.

PATRIKA:  Carolyn is wonderful in anything that she does.  I wish Sarah Brown had been nominated for her work in Studio City, too.  She is a wonderful actress. You kind of go, “Oh, they didn’t acknowledge her this time,”  but it’s like she is still in the show, the show is going to keep going, so she will have another opportunity for people to recognize her work.  Listen, Carolyn and I could cancel each other out this time, because people know us and like us and appreciate our work.

Photo: JPI

As a working actress in Hollywood, how to you feel about production starting back now for several shows, and concerns amidst the coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the show business community with the loss of so many jobs over the last several months?

PATRIKA:  I think there are still going to be concerns.  Listen, my husband has a heart problem.  He’s had a couple of stints, so he is going to be a high-risk.  So, if I am asked to go to work, I want it to be very safe where I am going, so when I come home, I don’t bring something to him, or I don’t get anything.  I think we are all going to be a lot more careful, but I think what people have to realize in general is that it is not just the actors who did not have work.  There are the camera people, there’s the director, there’s props, there are the electricians, there are a lot of people involved to make a show, whether it’s a daytime show or it’s a film.  So, things will be a little different.  There are going to be a lot of changes, but I’m hoping that we will at least get back, and are safe, and that we take care of each other.

On virtual Emmy night this Sunday, will you be participating and watching from home?

PATRIKA:  I’ll be at home, absolutely.  I’ll be trying to figure out how to push the Zoom button or the what button, and trying to figure out the computers. I’m a dinosaur in a digital world, but I’ll be doing my best!

So, will you be rooting for Patrika in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama Series category on tomorrow night’s Digital Drama Emmys? Did you see Studio City and if so, what did you think of it?  Do you hope Patrika comes back to daytime soon? Comment below.

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Beyond the Gates

‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Tamara Tunie On Bittersweet Emmy Win Without Scott Bryce: ‘I Only Wish He Had Been Here a Little Longer to Share This With Me’

Published

19 hours ago

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November 13, 2026

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Tamara Tunie and Scott Bryce

Just two weeks ago, Beyond the Gates matriarch Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree) took home the Outstanding Lead Actress prize at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Tunie made an impressive and touching 3-minute speech which gave a special nod to her 92-year-old mother, who was present with her at the October 30 ceremony.

One person who was with Tamara in spirit was her longtime best friend and former co-star, As the World Turns’ Scott Bryce (ex-Craig Montgomery).

In a heartbreaking moment earlier this year, the multi-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor passed away from his cancer battle,”which began as stage three esophageal cancer eventually spread and became brain tumors that took his life away from him,” shared his son Jackson on an Instagram post following his death.

Bryce died at 68-years-old back on July 12. A day later, Tamara Tunie learned she was in the running for the first time in her career for a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy. She had taken to her Instagram to share the bittersweet moment on the heels of learning of her longtime friend’s passing.

Photo: JPI

MISSING SCOTT BRYCE ON EMMY NIGHT

Fast-forward to November 12 and on a very special livestream chat, celebrating Tamara’s Daytime Emmy win on the Michael Fairman Channel, she opened up about missing Scott on her winning night.

“It was definitely bittersweet,” recalled Tunie after she won Lead Actress. “Our mutual friends who texted me all said, including his wife and widow Jodi, ‘You know Scotty is smiling. You know he’s cheering.’ And I do know that, and I only wish that he had been here a little longer to have shared this with me.”‘

Speaking of their unbroken bond, even in death, Tamara added, “We knew each other for decades. It was just one of those friendships that formed immediately and just lasted. We were brother and sister, you know. I was the sister that he never had in his family, and he was my other brother, for sure.”

BEING A FAN OF AS THE WORLD TURNS BEFORE BEING ON IT

Before Tamara even landed her first soap role as Jessica Griffin, she was watching As the World Turns and knew that Scott Bryce was one of the most gifted actors to grace Oakdale.

“I respected him as an actor before I knew him as a person, because I watched him on As the World Turns before I became a cast member and when he was paired on-screen with Meg Ryan,” recalled Tunie. “He was the first person that I saw on daytime television fake being paralyzed. Craig faked having to be in a wheelchair, and what I loved about him was Scotty was able to play that bad kid with such vulnerability that you rooted for him. You rooted for Craig, even when he was doing terrible things. That’s the kind of complex, interesting and nuanced actor that Scotty was.”

Tamara Tunie and mother

Photos: NATAS

THE BEYOND THE GATES EXPERIENCE

When looking at what winning the gold meant to her and the ride she has been on since the launch of Beyond the Gates in 2024, Tamara concluded, “It’s incredible, particularly because it’s our first year (at the Emmys). It’s really incredible and it is historical. The show has been historical in so many ways. Just its mere existence is historical. I’m often at a loss for words.”

“It’s something I know I’ll look back on at some point and feel the the weight of it will,” feels Tamara. “And the moment will become more apparent to me. Someone asked me yesterday about my legacy. I feel like that’s for other people to describe.”

Speaking on how highly-regarded she is as an actress by her peers and the viewers, Tamara expressed, “I have not moved through this life saying, ‘This will be my legacy,’ because I don’t know. I know what I’m passionate about. I know what drives me. I know what I care about. I know that I do want to have an impact on someone or someones lives, if it helps them in some way. That’s always been what has driven me. A lot of the projects that I’ve chosen to participate in are decided based on that in some degree.”

TAMARA ON THE MAGNITUDE OF FIRST EMMY WIN

In closing, the new Lead Actress winner shared, “It’s incredible. I’m honored. I’m humbled. I’m not pretending or making that up or being falsely modest. I really am. I’m just in a constant state of gratitude.”

You can check out the full conversation with Tamara Tunie from our live chat below.

Then let us know, what did you think of the sentiments shown by Tamara and her wish that her dear friend, Scott Bryce could have been seen her win the Emmy? Happy that Tamara received Emmy gold? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Interviews

B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)

Published

3 days ago

on

November 11, 2026

By

Crew Morrow and Sydney Bullock

It appears that Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) has thus far successfully been able to swing Will Spencer (Crew Morrow) over to her side, and have him actually develop strong romantic feelings for her.

The one problem in her way is Will’s mother, Katie Logan (Heather Tom), and there is always the possibility that Will and Electra (Laneya Grace), who were each others first loves find their way back to one another.

However for now, Dylan’s portrayer, Sydney Bullock is confident that her soap opera alter ego’s got her man and that she can handle anything that can come her way Speaking on the red carpet with Michael Fairman TV at the recently completed 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Bullock explained where Will and Dylan’s relationship is at now on the CBS soap opera.

Crew

Photo: JPI

“Dylan is our lovable anti-hero. She’s messy, but she’s a human,” shares Bullock. Adding about keeping Will Spencer as Dylan’s guy, Sydney commented, “I think she can hold on to him for awhile. I think she’s got it in her.”

When asked how it is sharing the screen with young leading man, Crew Morrow, Sydney joked, “Crew, what a doll! It’s a hard job, my goodness! How do I do it?”

Kelly Sullivan

Photo: JPI

In the last few months, Bullock received an on-screen mom when General Hospital and The Young and the Restless alum, Kelly Sullivan (ex-Kate/Connie, ex-Sage, respectively) joined the show as Darcy Dylan.

“I love working with Kelly Sullivan,” said Bullock enthusiastically. “She’s always down to break down the scenes with me, and we go through so much, and she’s really like my mom on set. She’s so amazing.” Sullivan visited the Michael Fairman Channel for a live chat after her B&B debut here.

So, what’s ahead for Dylan and will be exciting? Hold the phone! Sydney explained, “Oh, man! Is it going to get exciting?! Dylan, she’s a survivor and we’re just going to keep seeing her surviving. She finds a lot of ways to do that.”

In the end, Bullock has high-praise and love for her B&B character: “I think she’s super strong and I’m really honored to play her.  I’ve been rooting for her, and as for the fans, I think they will be (rooting for her) too.”

You can check out our Daytime Emmys red carpet chat with Sydney Bullock below, and for more interviews with your favorite stars from the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards, click here. 

In addition on Wednesday, BBTV posted a new video with Crew Morrow and Sydney Bullock about the pairing of “Dill.” You can also check that out below.

So are your rooting for Dylan to keep Will all to herself? Do you think she will have to fight and claw to keep her man? Are you enjoying Sydney Bullock’s portrayal of Melissa Dylan? Let us know in the comment section below. 

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Favorite Amanda Setton Talks Brook Lynn and Chase’s Divorce, Jude Jacks, Baby Phoebe, and What’s Next (Exclusive)

Published

5 days ago

on

November 9, 2026

By

Amanda Setton

On General Hospital, Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) life as she knows it has turned upside down. First, she and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed divorce papers while in  the Dominican Republic. As much as they loved each other, they just couldn’t get past all the trust issues between them.

Then, right after that, Jude Jax (Wil Traval) shows up at the Q mansion and demands to see his daughter, baby Phoebe! Brook Lynn is thrown for a complete loop. Is this guy claiming to be the biological father of Delilah Wilson’s daughter, which had been adopted by Brook Lynn and Chase, telling the truth? Brook Lynn is on her way to getting to the bottom of his claims.

Meanwhile, Brook Lynn’s portrayer, Amanda Setton just celebrated her first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination, and in the very competitive Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. While Amanda ultimately did not take home the gold statuette, that honor went to The Young and the Restless’ longtime veteran, Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott), she was in great spirits when Michael Fairman TV caught up with her on the red carpet.

Photo: ABC

THE END OF THE LINE FOR BROOK LYNN AND CHASE

When asked how she felt about Brook Lynn being the first (between her and Chase) to put pen to paper on their divorce papers, Settton recalled, “She did. But I’m like, ‘Did she or did he kind of?’ They did it (both of them).”

Getting a new co-star and cast member can go one of two ways, great or not so great, but Amanda had nothing but high praise for Wil Traval’s entrance and performance as Jude Jacks!

THE ARRIVAL OF JUDE JAX

“Wil Traval is fabulous to work with. His debut was so amazing the other day, wasn’t it? He was just such a force and everybody’s faces and reactions when he says that he’s, ‘Jude Jacks, Jerry’s son.’ It was so good and well-played! Wil’s awesome. I’m excited for what’s to come. We’re going to have a lot of stuff together.”

Photo: ABC

According to Amanda, Brook Lynn will have her hands full in the months to come: “There’s a lot of stuff coming down the pike with Baby Phoebe. Will Chase and Brooklyn work together? Will they not? Is it really Jude’s daughter? Lots of questions!”

GRATITUDE TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY HER PEERS

For Setton, being an Emmy nominee meant the world to her, and to finally be acknowledged by her peers in a television career that spanned daytime and primetime including her performances as Kimberly Andrews on One Life to Live. But most importantly for her work in 2025 in the emotional rollercoaster of a story where Brook Lynn learns Gio (Giovanni Mazza) is her biological son.

“It means so much to me,” expressed Amanda. “It really does. I keep using this line, but I really mean it. It feels like a big hug. You know, not everybody who votes for these categories works with you. It’s really a very humbling feeling to know that your work actually touched someone and moved someone enough for them to vote for you. And getting to play the storyline that I got to play was such a privilege. It really was, with the actors I got to play it with. To be a little rewarded for it feels so nice.”

You can check out our chat with Amanda Setton on the red carpet at the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards below. Then make sure to check out all the Michael Fairman Channel red carpet interviews from daytime’s biggest night here.

So, do you think Brook Lynn and Chase will unite to keep baby Phoebe away from Jude Jacks? What do you think of Wil Traval’s performances thus far as Jude? How do you see this story for the custody of baby Phoebe playing out? Were you rooting for Amanda to take home the Supporting Actress gold? Let us know via the comment section below.

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