All My Children
EXCLUSIVE: All My Children Matthew Cowles Interview! Here Comes Billy Clyde Tuggle!
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
In true soap fashion look, when we recently visited the new All My Children studios in Connecticut, we were in for the shock of our soap life, when we saw none other than Matthew Cowles (A.K.A. Billy Clyde Tuggle) looking the same as when we saw him decades ago strolling in the hallways! We came to find out that Matthew is set for a stunning return to the new AMC in all new streaming episodes starting on Thursday May 16th on Hulu and iTunes.
So, just how will Billy Clyde be a critical part of the story arc? Well, from what we can tell, the former pimp turned born-again-Christian is back to cause trouble including a face-to-face encounter with Dixie Martin (there is no love lost in that department) and look for Tuggle to be instrumental with long time foes, Jesse and Angie, who are trying to find their missing daughter Cassandra, who is now embroiled in a horrific sex-trafficking scheme and scandal!
In this exclusive, and in his first interview back to All My Children, we sat down with the oh-so-talented Cowles to talk about the heyday of AMC (where Billy Clyde was the town pariah), how he managed to make the character one of the most memorable of all-time, and what we can expect in upcoming episodes! Here now is what Matthew had to share!
How did this shocking return come about? How did you end up back here on All My Children so many decades later?
Photo Credit: David Russell/TOLN
MATTHEW: My manager called and asked me if would consider doing Billy Clyde Tuggle on All My Children. I said, “I certainly would!” I didn’t know this format, the Internet format, nor do I have the capability of watching it myself. I am not much of a techie, but I love to play this part! And so I said to my manager, “Yes, I would be interested.” So, I signed the contract and here I am.
Billy Clyde Tuggle is one of the most delicious and quirky roles in the history of soaps! He perpetrated horrible things on the poor citizens of Pine Valley! I so remember the scenes between Billy Clyde and Estelle, played by the amazing Kate Dezina!
MATTHEW: Oh boy, do I remember Kate Dezina! I remember those days, and I can almost remember the dialog of every scene we played. Now that is an exaggeration, but not too far off the moolah. (Laughs)
In your opinion, why is Billy Clyde such a great character?
Courtesy/ABC
MATTHEW: That is because the initial AMC producer, a man called Bud Kloss said, “We would like you, Matthew, to be in charge of the development of this character. If you want to oodle with the lines and tweak them, that’s OK. You are not going to write storyline, but the dialog in your scenes is pretty much in your department.” When you can use the words to prompt the action to get where the character wants to go, it is memorable, and that is for anyone. I was very fortunate.
Now Billy Clyde is back, and from everything we have read from the teasers thus far, he is once again going to be a real troublemaker!
MATTHEW: A “troublemaker”? (Laughs) I suppose that is a good way to describe him as a troublemaker, but he doesn’t perceive it as that, necessarily. But, he takes himself, and is out for himself … first.
When they asked you to come back was it just for a short-term story arc?
MATTHEW: I have no idea what their plan was. I said, “Let’s just do it.” They threw a bunch of numbers at me, but really the numbers are not what’s important.
Long time fans also remember your scenes with Benny Sago, then played by Vasili Bogazianos! They were so tension-filled!
Photo Credit: Getty Images
MATTHEW: This is true! And people do remember him. My wife said to me, “You’re the star.” And my wife, Christine Baranski, is a very successful actress! I don’t make any comparisons. She does The Good Wife, and she is terrific! Oh my goodness, my wife is a good actress. And … she makes beautiful babies!
Prior to landing back on All My Children, what was the most recent acting role you had?
MATTHEW: I did Taming of The Shrew last year and I loved that, with a terrific director, Arin Arbus.
Who have you gotten the opportunity to work with on All My Children? I know for sure your old buds, Debbi Morgan (Angie) and Darnell Williams (Jesse)!
MATTHEW: They are so wonderful. I am supposed to be the archenemy of Jesse, but Jesse was the one who called me “Billy Clyde” the other day, and I could almost throw my arms around his neck and kiss him for that. But that was not in the script, and that would have been very misunderstood, because in the script I was referred to as “Rob Gardner”. That was the code name to keep my return to AMC a secret from everybody. This new style of shooting here is not shot episode-to-episode; the way this is shot is like a jigsaw puzzle! You will have to watch the story. It’s been exciting to do!
Why did Billy Clyde and Jesse become enemies in the first place?
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
MATTHEW: They operated on the other side of the fence. He has an ax to grind for Jesse. I am working with some great actors. I worked with an actor by the name of “Thorsten” the other day. Holy Cow! I’m impressed with his strength and humanity, and he is an “actor”! And so too is Darnell and Debbi! You know, I still see a lot of Mark Lamura (Ex-Mark Dalton, AMC) too, and he is doing great.
Matthew, you were part of the heyday of All My Children! What is it like now being back to see the revival of the show?
MATTHEW: Well, I am waiting for Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC) to come back! I enjoyed working with her. She hit me with a bottle once in a scene, a bottle is made of sugar, but there is one hard seam part to it. Susan hit me with the hard part …. she hit me with the seam! (Laughs)
Fans used to be very vocal in their venom towards Billy Clyde! Did you have trouble walking down the street, as some soap stars have encountered in the past, when there is no separation for some fans between reality and fantasy?
Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos
MATTHEW: I think only one or two people that took it seriously would say, “That’s a bad man.” Most people thought that is a funny guy doing unexpected stuff.
What is it about you that makes you so good at playing a type of character like Billy Clyde?
MATTHEW: Every human being has their own strengths that are unique to them. And I just was blessed enough to find out what I was good at. Then, blessed enough to get hired to do something I find great joy in doing.
So AMC fans, what do you think will happen when Billy Clyde arrives on the scene in Pine Valley? Will he be up to no good? Will he turn a new leaf? What did you think of Matthew’s comments on working with Darnell and Debbi again? And getting to step into the shoes again of one of the all-time villains in soaps? Let us know your thoughts!
Starting on May 1, All My Children fans in Canada will be able to see classic episodes of the beloved former ABC soap opera when they stream on Pluto TV Canada.
Pluto TV picked-up the All My Children Channel that the Nixon family has created in partnership with BEONDTV +. The show which aired for 41 years on ABC and ended on the network in 2011, had so many memorable storylines and characters; the least of which is the enduring run of Erica Kane played by soap icon, Susan Lucci.
As previously reported, starting with episodes from the year 1995, which was the 25th anniversary of the soap. Pluto TV Canada viewers will be able to catch 8 episodes on repeat per day. With the success of the venture, the Nixons are hopeful that they will bring viewers many more years of the show to come.
Photo: ABC
Sarah Nixon, producer, shared with Michael Fairman TV exclusively, “We are thrilled that Pluto TV has launched All My Children in Canada! Let’s hope the engagement from our incredibly loyal fans across the border will encourage ABC to bring it to the U.S.! We share what Aggie (Agnes Nixon) always felt, that it is the enthusiasm and love from the fans that has kept this legacy beloved and relevant – to this day!”
In addition, 0ne week ago, during Susan Lucci’s visit to Los Angeles promoting her book La Lucci, she was joined by her former Pine Valley castmates, Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC, now Taylor, B&B) and Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC) and the trio posed for a pic. At that time, LaRue shared via Instagram, “NEW All My Children channel streaming classic episodes 24/7 now on Pluto TV Canada! Fingers crossed to watch soon on Pluto US.”
That was also confirmed this week by TV Watercooler’s Jeevan Brar who took to X and expressed, “The All My Children channel begins streaming this Friday, May 1 on Pluto TV Canada.
So, Canadian viewers, excited about Pluto TV’s All My Children channel? United States fans, hopeful from Sarah’s message that perhaps soon, we can see the beloved soap once again as well? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Saul Consuelos, the father of All My Children alum and Live with Kelly and Mark co-host, Mark Consuelos (ex0-Mateo, AMC), has died. During an emotional moment on this mornings, April 6 edition of the syndicated talk show, Mark shared, that his dad, “passed away peacefully” back on March 23 following a long illness.
His wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley, AMC) paid tribute to her her father-in-law expressing, he was, “the greatest person I’ve ever known. I can honestly say I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, as I know you will, as our children will. He really is so symbolic of everything you are.”
Kelly and Mark’s children, Joaquin, Michael and Lola Consuelos are said to be taking this extremely hard. Ripa added, “This is the first loss they’ve ever experienced in their lives. And I said, ‘By the time I was 8, I had no grandparents. You got to grow up (with grandparents). You got to have deep, meaningful conversations (with them).”
Photo: KRipaIG
In another moment, Mark reflected on his dad. “It’s funny, I used to make a joke about my dad … if you asked him what time it was, he would tell you how to build a watch. There were a lot of lectures, a lot of lectures and I learned so much. If he was fixing something in the house, he’d make me watch and do it. And I didn’t know at the time why he was doing that. But now at the house, I’m able to do at least half of the stuff that he did. I learned the most by just watching him.”
Mark added that Saul Consuelos came to the U.S. from Mexico in his early teens and served our county for decades, detailing, he “Ended up at Special Operations Command in Tampa. This young kid from Mexico just got his education from the navy. Was always going to school. Was brilliant. Got his Masters while I was a kid. He loved his country so much, If you’re going to put a face to an immigrant, he would be the prime example of what this country promises people.”
In a very heart-tugging moment, Consuelos shared that now its important they be there for his mother, Camilla. “We gotta take care of mom. We’re trying to convince my mom to move to New York. She’s such a character, she’s stubborn. What do you think, a cooking segment here on Fridays with Camilla?”
Now below, watch the very touching and emotional moments as Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa mourn the loss of Saul Consuelos.
Let us know, what you thought of the remarks made by Kelly and Mark on the death of Mark’s father via he comment section.
All My Children
Sarah Michelle Gellar Visits ‘The View’ Where Hosts Sidestep Controversial ‘Buffy’ Reboot Axing, But Talk ‘All My Children’
On yesterday’s March 17 episode of The View, All My Children alum, Sarah Michelle Gellar (ex-Kendall Hart), was the special guest. Since Monday, Gellar has been the subject of a hot-button issue since about the surprising turn of events that the highly-anticipated Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, in which she stars, and which was directed in the pilot by Oscar-winning director, Chloé Zhao, was no longer moving forward.
Gellar‘s appearance on the ABC morning talk show was devoid of any mention of Hulu cancelling its planned Buffy: New Sunnydale, in which Sarah was set to appear along with Ryan Kiera Armstrong. However, Gellar did discuss her new movie Ready or Not 2: Here I Come from Searchlight Pictures.
It should be noted that both Hulu and Searchlight Pictures are owned by The Walt Disney Company, while The View is produced by ABC News, which is also owned by The Walt Disney Company.
Courtesy/ABC
During the awkward interview, when it became clear the ‘Buffy’ reboot topic was off the table, The View co-host Sunny Hostin, talked about the “intense fight scenes” that have become a staple of her TV and film career starting with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Scream 2, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
The ladies of The View also brought up Sarah’s beginnings on All My Children as Kendall Hart (1993-1995), showing a scene with her and her on-screen mother, the iconic Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci. The discussion sprung out of another All My Children alum, Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie Montgomery) winning the Oscar this past Sunday for Best Actor for his role in Sinners. The View’s Joy Behar was quick to point out with Gellar, the All My Children alums that have gone on to great fame.
Photo: ABC
Previously on Monday, Gellar opened up to PEOPLE about being blindsided before while at the SXSW Film & TV Festival premiere for Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. “I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it’s also the weekend of Chloé going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet. For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloé’s victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is… that says something.”
She went to say, “We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him.” Deadline reports that “multiple sources” identified the executive as Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich.
“I loved the duality that we had with this new, younger slayer who was where Buffy was when the show started, and then we would pick up with where Buffy was now,” Gellar told People about the setup. However, according also to Deadline “After the pilot was completed and delivered, according to multiple sources, Hulu’s main note was that it played too young, with some indicating that the streamer also felt the show was too “small.”’
In the rewrite, sources also told the outlet that the writers did not take big enough swings, so they set out to do a rewrite it again. The last revision was more adult, featuring a lot more of Gellar’s Buffy, and was described as a more of a streaming show than a network one. When all is said and done there is hope that another Buffy IP will be up and running within the next couple of years.
You can check out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s full segment on The View below. Now let us know, bummed there is no Buffy reboot? What do you think about how this high profile Hollywood saga was side-stepped on the morning show? Did you love Sarah as the original Kendall Hart on All My Children? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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Should be fun having Billy Clyde back on AMC! He was one villain we loved to hate!!!
One day in 1977 I walked into the kitchen of our ‘hippie farmhouse’ in Holsopple, PA. and there sitting at the kitchen table was this wild looking guy. What a fun time it was knowing Mathew during the filming of Slapshot in J-Town, PA. I have followed Mathew’s carreer since then.
Thanks – Billy Clyde was the best thing that ever happened to All My Children. I stopped watching after his character left.
He will be the pimp trying to pimp Cassandra!
This is great! We just need to get Tad and Erica back now. Tad is gonna need to protect Dixie from Billy Clyde!
I love it! Welcome home Mr. William Clyde Tuggle! We missed you and the soap world is ecstatic you’re back!
Haha…..if I had wishes to use I would also ask for the return of Mark Lamura as Mark Dalton; ahhh, the memories!
Billy Clyde is my all time favorite soap villian. I cannot believe he is coming back. I am so thrilled. Matthew Cowles- Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Billy Clyde was a mean man but you always wanted to see what he would do next. I can’t believe he has turned over a new leaf but will be great to find out. My question is we saw him die. There was a body. Tad was the body that disappeared. Maybe I’m wrong but I can still see his body laying on the rocks. It should be exciting having him around again. And by the way I have a brother who could be Billy’s brother.
The return of Billy Clyde Tuggle will be epic!!! I was so excited when I heard the news. I may not be able to wait until lunch on the 16th to watch…might have to get up early to see his return. Loving the new show!
What a great character–so glad Matthew Cowles is coming back. Wish ABC had not taken AMC and OLTL off air, but glad they are back on the Net. Too bad so many people are shortsighted. A serial with great actors/characters will always endure.
Bring it home! Matthew Cowles//Billy Clyde..
You are da`man!
There’s a great scene on youtube of Natalie (Kate Collins) banishing Billy Clyde from the hospital as he is attempting to see Donna. Kind of makes you wonder how Billy Clyde Tuggle and Janet Green would have gotten along LOL
That would be an interesting duo!
I love the character of Billy Clyde! I saw the sweet part of him when he was with Estelle. He just cracked me up half the time. Loved Benny Sago too. His relationship with Pheobe Tyler (the Dutchess was what he called her) was so sweet. Cant wait to see Billy Clyde on AMC again! Great coup, Prospect Park!
I am simply delighted that “Billy Clyde” will be returning to Pine Valley! Thank you for another fantastic interview Mr. Fairman.
I am simply gushing over this news! Matthew Cowles is one of my all time favorite actors from AMC. I have always loved to hate Billy Clyde Tuggle and yet, looked forward to see what he would do next. It was a pleasant surprise to see him at the premiere and I ended up in tears after we talked. Even though he LIED and told me no when I asked if he was returning to Pine Valley 😉 I understand why he did – and I am glad for the surprise. I can’t wait to see him again!
Daaaang… I’m old! I remember when Billy Clyde first popped on the scene — he became Donna’s pimp after Tyrone (the wonderful Roscoe Orman) fled the scene. And, of course, there were Donna, Estelle, and Lettie Jean (Delphi Harrington) — the hookers of Locust Street. This should be fun!
Billy Clyde???? One word…HILARIOUS. This spells big fun and great summer entertainment!
I have been waiting for 23 yrs for his return. If tad survid the btidge fallc, so couldid bc. I loved his scenes with phoebe and adam. I remember when he buried estelle alive!
This reboot keeps getting better and better! Welcome back, Matthew! You made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I hope your alter ego, Billy Clyde, has his ‘persuadiator’ with him!
I love billy Clyde’s return and have fond memories of him & donna beck. I hope he gets to stay a very long time ! I want to see him and Dixie together! Oh…I have a brother who could be his brother! Seriously . He acts the same way all the time! Xxx BCT 4-ever!
Matthew Cowles MADE the character of Billy Clyde Tuggle what it was. No one else could have ever played that part as well. He was a such an excellent actor, and this comes a such a shock. So very very sad. Sending my sympathy to his family. RIP Matthew!
So sad to read the news of Matthew Cowles untimely death. So glad I got to see him and Billy Clyde one more time last year during the late lamented reboot of All My Children.