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Lauralee Bell discusses new web series, "Just Off Rodeo" & Christine's plight on Y&R!

Photo Credit: CharlesBuch.com

Photo Credit: CharlesBush.com

From the creative mind of The Young and the Restless’ Lauralee Bell (Christine) comes another intriguing and fun web series, Just Off Rodeo. (She previously launched the hilarious Family Dinner). The actress, now wearing three other hats, and might we say quite well, of executive producer, co-writer, and director, has brought to the Internet a new concept she had brewing for over a decade.  The idea centers on a clothing store (something Bell has firsthand knowledge of) with interesting and quirky characters that interact, while at the same time, fans and site visitors viewing the webisodes can buy merchandise built into the content of the show!  Just Off Rodeo premiered its second installment this past Sunday.  You can view the first installment here. The series features a stellar cast comprised of Jennifer Birmingham, Zoe Taylor and Mike Rose. On-Air On-Soaps caught with Bell to get the low down on the new series.

And later in our interview, we catch up with Lauralee on what’s next for Genoa City’s Christine now that Ronan has disappeared, and Nina and Paul continuing to get cozy! Here’s our “quickie” chat with Lauralee, the entrepreneur!

Lauralee, what inspired you to do this concept?

LAURALEE: When I would pitch the concept, I would have people from weird walks of life tell me on a business level, it’s a great idea.  I have had it in my head for twelve years that these girls in the series would look different in every episode. They will start looking kind of “plain Jane” and go to extremes.  I put in all the things I would want to see.  I love watching the red carpet on award shows because of how people reinvent themselves.  So I thought, why can’t we do this with every episode?  And especially, for Middle America, who just has Target as their option. You have to train your audience to get online to get the merchandise, and make them excited to check it out, as you never know what we are going to sell next week.  I would love to have a clothing designer come in and say, “I will design just one item and it is specifically for Just Off Rodeo.”  Then they make a cameo appearance in the series.  I think there are so many things we could do.

Explain how someone purchases the items they see on the webisodes, and the retail aspect that gives the series a wider marketing appeal?

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

LAURALEE: In the first episode, we have two scarves available for purchase, and made it simple to explain the concept.  In the second episode, it’s all about a white t-shirt and a black t-shirt with our Just Off Rodeo logos, and it’s just a cool t-shirt to wear under a suit. I have to say I have worn it under a business suit and it’s a cool t-shirt. You can see it can fit a skinny Jennifer Birmingham (Danielle) or a size 18 woman.  You can see below the episode player two choices for buying the items. You can click on the item and purchase it and it’s in your home within four days. What makes this show so different is the marketing element. It’s very simple… it’s product placement built into the storyline.  But, I don’t want the clothing to take away from the story.  I just know if you could have bought a simple item worn by the Sex and the City girls and had it at your door in four days, it would have done very well. Plus, we have free shipping in the United States!

You said you were co-writer.  Who also helped you write the series?

LAURALEE: My husband Scott’s brother, Matt Martin who lives in Chicago.  He has been in comedy classes and writing skits and working with Second City. I had been reading his material before this and thought he was really good.  I thought I am going to give him a crack at this.  So he sent me the script, and I gave him a little bit of a re-direction, and added a few lines.  He sent it back to me, and he got it completely!

One of the standouts in the cast is the hilarious Mike Rose, who plays the hairdresser Rodrigo.  His timing is so unbelievable.  How did you find him?

Courtesy/MartinBellProds

LAURALEE: So it’s getting down to the wire and everyone is trying to send me these beautiful Rodrigo’s.  But I knew the character of Rodrigo, and they were sending me just these pretty boys.  If they don’t have the personality to go with the looks it would not work.  My Rodrigo is such an important character now.  So Jason Wood was helping me cast this.  He told me about this guy, Mike.  I worked that day on Y&R and Mike was saying to Jason, “I know I am your guy.  I know I am your guy.”  So I ran to The Grove shopping center which is right near CBS, and was sitting there at the Coffee Bean looking like an anxious dater! (Laughs) I met Mike and I did most of the talking going, “I don’t know where this is going, but you just need to understand I came up with this in 1999.  I have been passionate about the concept.  It has moved forward and then stopped.  I just need to put this out there.  We talked for ten minutes or so, and I said, “Will you do this?” He said, “Yes.”  This was the first thing I hadn’t been in as a performer, so I was going to be in complete director mode.  I was wearing so many hats in this… creator, executive producer, co-writer, and director!

Are you ever going to appear in Just Off Rodeo?

LAURALEE: I do what I call the Alfred Hitchcock walk by.  It’s like if you blink, you might miss it.  I wear a mask in the second webisode. You will see it’s sort of a fantasy and I don’t say a word.  And, I won’t be in this series moving forward.  But, when I created this 12 years ago, I saw myself in it as Danielle, but now I am too old to play the role.  Family Dinner I created as well, and I play a main role in it.  So I didn’t want it to come off as I am creating another web series so that I can play another role. These two projects are my two concepts and I am done.  I hopefully will be able to move forward with one of them or both.  But, I am not becoming the webisode girl! (Laughs)

Your clothing store On Sunset is no longer in existence, but from the looks of it and having been at your store before, it looks like the set for Just Off Rodeo. Why the decision to close?

LAURALEE: Regarding On Sunset, I feel it was not a sad thing for me when I closed the store.  I feel I had to close it so another door opened.  I really desperately needed to do Just Off Rodeo.  Because the store has not been leased out yet, I was able to shoot there!  Now I can finally explain the whole reason I signed on to opening up a store; because in my mind I was going to get this show off the ground and have the real life store, and the fake store from the web series, and somehow we would incorporate it all.

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

On to some Y&R questions: What is the status of Christine?  Are you done taping episodes or are you still there?

LAURALEE: Yes. I was taping last Friday and was there yesterday, and after that I do not know.  And so that is about a month out from airdates when fans will see it.  You know, I walked in after having two and half weeks off, into the Nina storyline and no one said, “You’re back!”  That was good, as I thought the time I am away was not looking so obvious anymore.

What is Christine thinking about Ronan, who now looks as if he turned his back on every one and vanished after his brother gave him a new lease on life with a life-saving transplant?

LAURALEE: I think, even though Christine is a tough girl and she is prepared for anything, I think she did trust Ronan.  I think when her life was here, there, and all over the place, Christine thought she could count on Ronan to be her eyes and ears if she is away, and be that person she could trust.  For him to just take off after the major surgery, I am sure she feels shocked, betrayed, and won’t be giving him any second chances.  At least I am hoping.

Looks like Christine got everyone’s hopes up again!  Have Nina and Chris really made up?

LAURALEE: Nina is her best friend, and Christine keeps getting blamed, even though we had kind of a makeup scene.  Nina kind of went back and forth.  So I would say it was a mini makeup, until Ronan was gone. (Laughs)

There was a scene where Christine was looking on as Paul and Nina comforted each other in the hospital scenes, waiting for Ronan and Chance to come out of surgery. She looked a little pissed off!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

LAURALEE: Does she really wish them well?  I mean, I think it’s always weird when people get divorced and are with their new spouses.  I think you always feel, in some way, you have that claim on that person.  People have a kind of territory thing.  I try to leave it as I had played it with Ronan, and how I play it with Paul, which is very neutral. God forbid she should act on one!  You just know there is such a deep connection between Paul and Chris.  It is funny for me to see Paul and Nina together.

So you are kind of being able to still go in and out of Y&R.  What would you say to your fans about what your decision is to keep coming back or not, to do more story on the soap?

LAURALEE: I am really appreciative of Maria Arena Bell and the fans, for being kind of forgiving of me and allowing me leeway.  I just can’t do it all.  I love being busy doing Y&R, my webisodes, and my other projects.

Now that you have sort of got your feet wet at Y&R again, is there something you would love to do or play as Christine, that you have never done?

LAURALEE: I would love her to do off the wall things.  It would be a little out of character, but have Christine be just quirky and outrageous.

In closing, if you were trying to encapsulate for fans what they will get when they watch Just Off Rodeo, what would you tell them?

Photo Credit: Lesley Bohm

LAURALEE: I am trying to say, that while my first project, Family Dinner, is very raw, and is something we can all relate to, Just Off Rodeo is a total fantasy about hair and make-up and fun.  I really want the audience to get to know the characters.  Here are three people who are in this boutique for whatever reason.  The one girl is there because her father put it in her lap.  The other girl, Kat, has gone to art school and wants to make this work.  And Rodrigo wants to be the next Paul Mitchell or Vidal Sassoon.  They are going to get a taste of this business they have been given.  All of a sudden, it’s going to become a hot place to go to in Beverly Hills.  They realize that the three of them together, with all their quirky talents, is what is making this a stopping place for a Lindsay Lohan or whomever, and that is a fun place to shop and be around.  I want to show how their success came together.  They realize how they need each other and what they have to offer as a team makes it a success.  They get charged up and disappointed by the hype and glamour of Los Angeles and the whole scene.

Make sure to log onto www.justoffodeo.com for more series information and to watch the webisodes!

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Great interview! Congrats to Lauralee and her new series! Can’t wait to check it out! 🙂

Hey, Mike. Interesting article with Lauralee. Her idea for her shop with story and merchandising is very unique. I hope she has lots of success. If she stays on Y&R,i hope she doesn’t end up with Nick. I’ve had it with all the coupling and where it has lead. I just hope Diane doesn’t get pregnant and where it could be Victor’s or Nick’s baby. That would be some great story..you heard it here, fans….

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Robin Strasser Meets Kristen Alderson’s Baby Kiera in a One Life to Live Reunion

For years, Robin Strasser (ex-Dorian) and Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) have been the best of friends and the best of co-stars. On One Life to Live, Kristen was only six-years-old when she began her journey as Todd and Blair’s daughter and met the iconic Strasser.

Now in 2024, Kristen is a new mom to her baby girl, Kiera. Strasser, who lives in New York, along with her best friend, John, traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just a few days ago to visit the Alderson family and spend the day with Kiera.

Taking to her Instagram a very happy Kristen shared, “Look at who came to visit today! Robin & her bestie John! Robin and I got all misty eyed when she met Kiera today!”

Photo: JPI

In a very touching part of her post, Alderson expressed, “Robin is such a special person in my life, it means so much to me that we’re as close as we are. She’s just the best❤️ A great day of laughs & a great brunch spread😍”

Robin added, “I’ve been smiling since I met her. I’m a big softie for babies, but what a doll Kiera is!” The Daytime Emmy-winning star, also shared, “I’m so grateful for my ongoing friendship with Kris and Kathy. Amazing women and loyal friends!”

What do you think about Kristen and Robin’s enduring friendship and recalling their time on One Life to Live? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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