To commemorate the iconic primetime soap, Knots Landing on its 40th anniversary, Michael Fairman sat down with the three leading ladies of the cul-de-sac: Joan Van Ark (Val), Michele Lee (Karen) and Donna Mills (Abby) for this deep-dive interview for the Michael Fairman Channel.
The trio discuss: their camaraderie, watch back key scenes, and deliver backstage insight on working on the CBS series that ran from 1979-1993.
This interview was filmed on location at Donna Mills’ home as the beloved trio shared many tidbits about their former co-stars, and what made the show so special – that still to this day is revered by so many fans who hope another reunion special or mini-series might some day happen. Check out the full interview below.
Then, let us know what was your favorite part of it via the comment section below and share your favorite moments from Knots Landing!
Oh ,what a great interview. How I loved that show, and watched the re-runs also years later, enjoying them just as much. I could never pick one SL as they were all great and too many to nail down just one.From watching the show all those years and hearing each woman’s account, I believe each one of them.
GH’s Brook Kerr and Tabyana Ali Talk On: Trina’s Trial, Spencer and Rory, And Their On-Screen Mother/Daughter Relationship
August 12, 2022
Currently, General Hospital fans are awaiting the verdict in Trina’s trial and just what lengths her mother will go to in order to secure her freedom! With the story playing out on-air, Michael Farman chatted in a new virtual interview with the two women central to the story; Brook Kerr (Portia) and Tabyana Ali (Trina).
As viewers know, Trina was set-up by Esme Prince (Avery Pohl), to make it appear that she taped her best friends, Cameron (William Lipton) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) having sex, and then posted the video from her phone, so it went viral.
Photo: ABC
During the conversation for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Tabyana and Brook weigh-in on what’s gone down at the trial including; how Spencer Cassadine came forward with an alibi for Trina, plus how Portia may put her medical career at risk if she brings Esme’s partner in crime, Oz, out of his coma to get the evidence they need to point the finger on Esme.
In addition, Tabyana and Brook share their thoughts on the men in Trina’s life: Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Rory Cabrera (Michael Blake Kruse), and how the #Sprina has a life of its own on social media.
Courtesy/ABC
Brook also shares dishes on Portia’s romantic relationship with Curtis (Donnell Turner), plus the recent noteworthy scenes between Portia and Stella (Vernee Watson), where GH shed light on a mother’s concern; that racial injustice could factor in to the jury’s decision in Trina’s case.
Photo: ABC
Tabyana also discusses working alongside GH co-stars, Maura West (Ava) and Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), and what it was like taking over the role of Trina from popular fan favorite, Sydney Mikayla.
Photo: ABC
Check out the full chat with Brook and Tabyana below.
Do you want Trina to end up with Spencer or Rory? (You can also cast your vote in our poll below!) Will the jury exonerate Trina? What was your favorite part of the conversation with Brook and Tabyana? Let us know in the comment section.
Steve Burton Talks On: ‘Beyond Salem’, His Co-Stars, Dismissal From ‘General Hospital’ Over Vaccine Mandate, and What’s Next
July 26, 2022
Two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and enduring fan favorite, Steve Burton, chats with Michael Fairman in a brand new interview on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channelwhere he chats on his recent role on the streaming series,Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two, which is continuing to stream on Peacock.
In ‘Beyond Salem’, Burton reprises his first ever DAYS and soap opera role of Harris Michaels. Burton made his daytime TV debut in the part back in 1988. Throughout the five episode-streamer, Burton shares pivotal scenes and story with longtime DAYS icon, Kristian Alfonso (Hope).
Photo: JPI
Burton expressed on taping his initial scenes with Alfonso (which were Harris and Hope’s wedding day): “The greatest thing about her (Kristian) was she has amazing eyes as an actress – eyes I can really connect with and it was an highly-emotional day. She helped me stay anchored – just by looking in her eyes. She’s probably going, “Why is this weirdo starring at me all the time?’ (Laughs). She was great, gracious and awesome, but she really did help me out and I told her that and I said, ‘You made my job so much easier today, thank you.'”
The actor also revealed that in story, the door was left open that Harris’ bad guy moves in the streaming series, could turn out to be more complicated than on the surface given the character’s interrogation room final scene.
Steve weighed-in on if he would welcome more ‘Beyond Salem’ or chance to jump to the DAYS mothership on NBC. He shared: “If there is another one, if there is an open door on DAYS at some point, and I don’t know this, I’m just saying, I think they wanted to make it like, ‘Hey, this guy is really not a bad guy, and he’s redeemable.”
Photo: ABC
In addition, Steve opens up about his decision to not adhere to the ABC/Disney Covid-19 vaccine mandate, which ultimately led to him being fired from his long-running soap opera, and pivotal role on General Hospital as Jason Morgan.
Steve played Jason from 1991 to 2012 and then again from 2017 until the late fall of 2021. When reflecting on if he stands by his decision to not adhere to the ABC/Disney Vaccine Mandate policy, which caused him to be let go, Burton expressed: “I do. There was really no doubt in mind, obviously. It was just something that I believed, and I just could not do it. Look, I always say, you’ve got to follow your gut in life. Anytime I’ve ever gone against my gut instinct or conscious, it’s usually not a good result, and that’s why regret is always a guideline, your conscious is your guideline, and I don’t think I could have really lived with myself if I went against it.”
The longtime daytime star also weighed-in on if he had been concerned that he would not work on another daytime show, given his stance on the vaccine mandate. Steve said, “No, things are changing daily with things all the time. I didn’t really worry about it. I felt if things change at GH, sure, I could probably go back. I was on The Young and the Restless, there could be a door open there. I never really thought about DAYS too much, but I do visualization every day and I thought about all four shows. I would go, ‘Hey, if there’s a job there, awesome, bring it.” I’m open to it. It’s daytime … it’s my home … but t I didn’t think it would be this way (with Beyond Salem) – I had no idea it would work out this way.”
Photo: SBurtonIG
During the conversation, Burton shares his sentiments on his former GH co-stars including: Kelly Thiebaud (Britt), who just won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Laura Wright (Carly) and reiterates, how again, Maurice Benard (Sonny) was instrumental in his development as an actor and shares behind-the-scenes details from his younger days as Jason.
Steve, who has been in the news of late after filing for divorce from with his wife of over two decades, Sheree Gustin, reveals during the conversation how he has faced a challenging year personally and professionally, and the lessons he has learned to get him get through the hard times.
Currently, Burton continues to travel the country with his former GH co-star, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) as their comedy show, Stone Cold and the Jackalplays multiple venues and details during the interview, why their creative and business partnership works, plus previews his new Steve Burton fitness app and workout venture and more.
Check out the full interview with Steve below.
Then let us know, do you hope to see Steve land on Days of our Lives and continuing the story of Harris Michaels? Did you enjoy him with Kristian Alfonso on ‘Beyond Salem Chapter 2″? What did you think about the sentiments he shared for his former GH co-stars, Kelly Thiebaud, Laura Wright and Maurice Benard in this interview? Do you hope someday that Jason will return to GH in the form of Burton? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
DAYS Head Writer Ron Carlivati Talks ‘Beyond Salem Chapter 2’, Summer in Salem, Daytime Emmys & OLTL Favorite Moments
July 8, 2022
If you ever wondered about the thought-process of a head writer of a daytime drama, who also has the task of a creating a limited-streaming series in the same vein, then look no further then Michael Fairman’s latest interview now on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel with DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati.
Coming off his third Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Carlivati not only shares the high points of his Emmy night, but how the win was made extra-special and emotional because of the passing of DAYS writing team member, Elizabeth Snyder, who was key to the writing of one of the winning episodes.
Photo: Courtesy/CBS
Starting on Monday July 11th, Carlivati and team’s latest creation, Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter Two will drop on Peacock with a new episode each day through Friday, July 15th. During this interview, Ron details how Peter Reckell (Bo), Kristian Alfonso (Hope) and Steve Burton (Harris) all signed on to the project, and how he approached the story for each of their characters, and how at its core this second edition of ‘Beyond Salem’ will be a must-see for any longtime Bope fan.
Photo: Peacock
Ron also talks on the on-screen debut of Abigail Klein as the new Stephanie Johnson in ‘Beyond Salem” and how she will land on NBC DAYS, and more. He also addresses the recent on-screen exodus on the mothership at Days of our Lives of Marci Miller (Abigail), Lamon Archey (Eli) and Sal Stowers (Lani) and Victoria Konefal (Ciara) and Rob Scott Wilson (Ben). Though as has been reported and speculated, Wilson will be returning to the soap opera.
Photo: Peacock
In a DAYS summer preview, Carlivati shares that Abigail’s murder mystery will take many twists and turns, how Sami (Alison Sweeney) and Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) nuptials could all blow up if Sami were to find out the man she is marrying was her kidnapper, plus what will Sami do when she realizes her sister, Belle (Marths Madison) has gotten oh-so-close with her man, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel)?
Photo: Peacock
The head scribe also teases that another major character will die in the coming months .. .but who will it be?
We wrap up the conversation with some rapid-fire questions for Ron on his favorite soap characters, storylines, etc, which if you are One Life to Live or Knots Landing fan, you will want to find out his answers.
Check out the full interview with Ron below.
Now, let us know, are you looking forward to ‘Beyond Salem: Chapter Two’? What do you think will go down this summer on Days of our Lives? Share your thoughts on this and more from our conversation in the comment section.
DAYS Billy Flynn (Chad), Greg Rikaart (Le0) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) talk with Michael Fairman on the series move to Peacock and their latest storylines.. Leave A Comment
Oh ,what a great interview. How I loved that show, and watched the re-runs also years later, enjoying them just as much. I could never pick one SL as they were all great and too many to nail down just one.From watching the show all those years and hearing each woman’s account, I believe each one of them.